On March 8, America placed their focus towards recognizing several women on International Women’s Day, commemorating their beneficial contributions to society through their roles of leadership.

Information from the United Nations explains the rich legacy of International Women’s Day first becoming recognized after the successful women’s suffrage movement in Soviet Russia during the year 1917. In the year 1975, members of the United Nations officially established the continual reveling of International Women’s Day on March 8 each year.

For the students of Winona State, International Women’s Day represents something different to each individual. Megan Sticha, a senior human resources major, explained the significance of International Women’s Day as a day for the world to experience the changes taking place in our society.

“I believe the day stands for a symbol that women are equal to men. As it is celebrated as a holiday, it isn’t a holiday to exclude men, but to recognize both genders for their greatness,” Sticha said.

Although this year’s International Women’s Day fell on the week of spring break, resulting in a missed opportunity for an actual celebration to be held, Winona State ensured that a proper commemoration would be held on campus. In the previous weeks, Winona State has been placing flyers in residence halls, education and facility buildings depicting prominent women leaders within the campus community. Among some of the leaders depicted were Sticha and Janae Mann, a first-year marketing major.

Mann is an Issue Specialist for Students United, a club that focuses on affordability of tution, diversity  and inclusion on campus.

With the changing of norms in our society, more women are being immersed into hierarchal positions within corporations. In a 2017 article from the Catalyst, titled “Statistical Overview of Women in the Workforce,” 5.2 percent of women held CEO positions for a S&P 500 company. The notion of women filling leadership roles not only advocates for a change in our world but for a personal change within the individual.

“With leadership, it helps me find my voice and helps me to communicate better with people. I also learned to have patience with others since in life you won’t always work with the most patient of people,” Sticha said.

While International Women’s Day highlights the exemplary efforts of women in the workforce, there is not much spotlight on the motivation women have gathered over the years to achieve their dreams and goals.

“Leadership is something that I have always been drawn to. My love for organization and leadership roles is just something I naturally fell into,” Mann said.

While the recognition of a prominent holiday for women marks a small step towards equality for both women and men, with an increase in women applying for leadership roles, our society may benefit from different perspectives and creative insight provided by female individuals. For women who feel they are not able to achieve equal representation in a leadership role, they should rethink what they are capable of.

“Just go for it, don’t be afraid to go for a leadership position,” Sticha said. “We need more women in leadership roles.”