The first women's day
The first International Women’s Day was observed on February 28, 1909, in the United States, as a result of feminist activities, but it was not until 1921, at the Second Conference of Communist Women in Moscow, that the date of March 8 was established as a universal day for all countries. An anniversary that was designated by the UN in the 1970s as “United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace,” and is commemorated in Italy by the distribution of a fragrant branch of mimosa.
Italy: a unique country!
However, this tradition is not shared by all nations. While the tradition of gifting flowers to women on March 8 is popular in other countries, mimosas are only associated with this day and women’s emancipation in Italy. A custom that stretches back to the years following World War II and is now being criticized by many for its loss of purpose. It was Luigi Longo of the Italian Communist Party, involved in many socialist movements in the 40’s, that chose a flower to offer as a gesture of respect for women, who had also gained the right to vote that year, among other things.
Why mimosa?
Rita Montagnana and Teresa Mattei, advocates for gender equality who were elected to the Constituent Assembly at the time, are said to have proposed the mimosa. Someone suggested using the violet, as was done in France, but the proposal was rejected since the violet was too rare and expensive a flower for Italy, especially at a time when the war had just finished and the economy was in shambles. There were others who suggested the orchid, but the mimosa ultimately won out among all the seasonal flowers that bloom towards the end of winter, when spring has not yet arrived.
“A poor flower is easy to locate even in the countryside,” Teresa Mattei commented at the time, endorsing the concept, with its vibrant and happy nature and its perseverance, which allows it to bloom even in adverse situations with tenacity mixed with delicacy, just like our women <3.
