International Women’s Day: When Women Marched for Bread and Roses

Every March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) with messages of empowerment, equality, and progress. However, the origins of this day are deeply rooted in working-class women’s struggles from the early 20th century, when garment workers in New York and female labor activists worldwide fought for better wages, working conditions, and political rights.

3/8/2025

The Origins of International Women’s Day

The movement behind IWD was inspired by socialist and anti-imperialist struggles that emerged after the Industrial Revolution. Women in New York’s garment industry—facing long hours, low wages, and unsafe conditions—began mobilizing through trade unions and strikes. The first known “Women’s Day” was observed on February 28, 1909, when American socialist women organized nationwide protests demanding the right to vote and better labor protections. Russian revolutionary Alexandra Kollontai later credited American working-class women for initiating what would become International Women’s Day.

The Uprising of the 20,000: The Strike That Sparked a Movement

One of the key moments in the history of IWD was the New York Shirtwaist Strike of 1909, also known as the Uprising of the 20,000.

Led by Clara Lemlich, a 23-year-old garment worker, and the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU), the strike protested unsafe conditions, extreme working hours, and poor pay.
Women were forced to work up to 75 hours a week, fined for arriving late, and even locked inside factories to prevent breaks.
The movement gained support from the National Women’s Trade Union League of America (NWTUL) and marked a turning point in labor rights.

Similar women-led strikes followed, such as the Chicago Garment Workers’ Strike of 1910, protesting an unfair bonus system that prioritized higher production rates over workers’ well-being.

“Bread and Roses”: More Than Just Wages

One of the most famous slogans associated with IWD is “Bread and Roses”, symbolizing both economic justice (bread) and a life of dignity and respect (roses).

The phrase originated from a speech by American suffragist Helen Todd and became widely used during labor protests and women’s rights campaigns.
In 1912, activist Rose Schneiderman gave a powerful speech emphasizing that working women deserved not just survival, but access to art, education, and joy.

Women’s Day and the Russian Revolution

In 1917, Russian textile workers took to the streets on March 8 (February 23 in the Julian calendar), demanding better wages, food security, and an end to war.

This protest ignited the Russian Revolution, eventually leading to the overthrow of Tsarist rule.
Vladimir Lenin later declared March 8 as International Women’s Day in 1922, officially recognizing women’s role in the revolution.

How International Women’s Day Evolved

The first official International Women’s Day was held on March 19, 1911, in several European countries.
By 1913, the date was moved permanently to March 8.
Over time, IWD grew from a labor movement into a global celebration of women’s rights, though its radical roots are often overlooked.

The Legacy of International Women’s Day

While corporate messages and government proclamations now dominate IWD, its true origins lie in the struggles of working women—from factory floors to protest marches. The demand for “Bread and Roses” still resonates today, as women around the world continue to fight for fair wages, equal rights, and dignity in work and life.