NEW YORK—This Friday, March 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. Each year, we dedicate the month of March to honoring women, and March 8, in particular, to remembering the women who’ve paved the way before us. International Women’s Day was marked officially for the first time in 1911, and, since then, has been celebrated every year. It is a recognized public holiday in many countries, including Belarus, Cuba, Nepal and Ukraine, among many others.

This International Women’s Day, there was a lot to celebrate in the optical community, and many doctors, students, eyewear brands, stores and other members of our community took to social media to celebrate International Women’s Day. As part of our own celebration, Vision Monday has compiled a sampling of the ways in which the optical community came together to celebrate this International Women’s Day.

Women In Optometry, which is dedicated to recognizing the changing demographics of women practicing optometry and graduating optometry school, shared a post honoring Dr. Gertrude Stanton, the first female optometrist.


The Vision Council shared an image on Instagram to celebrate International Women’s Day, too, urging everyone to celebrate the “SPECtacular ladies” around the world.


Prevent Blindness used the day as an opportunity to share important eye health information for women.


Additionally, many independent practices and boutiques took the opportunity to honor the women who keep their businesses running on this International Women’s Day. Roseville Optometry, Seen Optometrists, Swedish eyewear brand EOE, and Van Brunt Optical Haus are just a few of the independents who took the time to honor the women behind their businesses.


  
  

Larger brands and groups got in on the celebration, too: Kering shared drawings from French artist Soledad Bravi on their Instagram account, compiling nine posts which detailed the Group’s commitment to achieving equal pay and gender balance at every level.


International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to acknowledge the women who help make the world go round, but it’s also a reminder to keep acknowledging the women in our lives every day. This is something the optical community is clearly committed to, with groups like the Optical Women’s Association, which is celebrating its 22nd birthday year. Emerging platforms like Women in Optometry are also becoming vital for promoting and celebrating the professional development of women in the vision care profession and the optical business each and every single day.

International Women’s Day may be over, but March, or Women’s History Month, continues for 22 more days. We can all do our part this month by acknowledging, honoring and celebrating the women in our communities, our lives and beyond.