100 years ago women were discriminated against from working and now 47.7% of the global workplace is made up of women. 

100 years ago women were prohibited from obtaining higher education and now over 115 million women have attained tertiary education globally.

100 years ago women were restrained from voting and now 198 countries allow women the right to vote.

100 years ago women were discouraged from gaining political power and now 26.1% of political seats around the world belong to women.

A lot can change in a 100 years and that change is evident through the countless achievements women have made to the global world.

To help recognize the contributions of women, Wednesday is International Women’s Day, a day where people all over celebrate and recognize the immense contribution of women to our society, honoring the history and fight for equality that is ongoing today. 

“While I think women should be celebrated every day, having an international day promotes a spotlight on diversity,” Debate teacher Michelle Porter said. “This day encourages people to focus on the great contributions that so many women of different origins and backgrounds continue to make in our world.” 

International Women’s Day is the chance for sophomore Tierany Scott to reflect on the importance of having a supporting female community on campus.

“I feel like Liberty has supported me immensely as a woman, because as a woman, as a woman of color I have to work twice as hard to prove a point that I belong,” Scott said. “So I always feel very appreciative and never overlooked in this community, which I am grateful for.”

The school’s diversity stands can be inspiring to a vast majority of students on campus, as the various backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities combine together to represent a strong female student body.  

“I think being a women means that I am part of something that’s larger than me and it means so much to each individual person,” junior Shruti Bhoyar said. “I think that going through life and having the unique female experience, although it’s different for everyone, we women stand together as one and I really like that. For me it’s being able to have this built-in support system of women supporting women and I think that’s a really great infrastructure we have in place.”

The support and care present in the student body is also largely visible in the staff according to librarian Chelsea Hamilton. 

“I feel like we have each other’s backs because women need to support other women,” Hamilton said. “If you ever just need someone to talk to or listen, we are there. If you need support or advice, you know with balancing family, kids, and work, Liberty has just a great working group of women.” 

Specifically, Humanities teacher Sarah Wiseman recognizes how specific women have helped encourage and strengthen her professional journey.

“I think Liberty is a great place for professional women,” Wiseman said. “We had Mrs. Rainwater [former principal Ashley Rainwater] and now we have Mrs. [Stacey] Whaling and Mrs.[Brook] Fesco and others, all who are really strong leadership examples and that sets great examples for our students. I have just done so well at Liberty with Whaling as my boss because she really believes in me and pushes me to be the best person of myself in every aspect she’s been there with me in different capacities supporting me as a woman.” 

Building up the strength of women comes by breaking down harmful stereotypes as Porter elaborates on her personal perseverance as a women in the workplace. 

“When a woman has a strong voice, it is often labeled as angry,” Porter said. “Because of my personality and willingness to speak out, some have deemed me as aggressive or angry. I approach these challenges by allowing myself to understand that my voice matters and should be accepted. Therefore, the challenge lies with those who are concerned.” 

However, it’s not just harmful stereotypes as women still face a plethora of global issues, only making it more crucial to celebrate International Women’s Day according to Wiseman. 

“Women still really struggle with gender violence and pay equity and they still carry too much of  a burden of raising children without support from their employers, so it poses those things and brings awareness to it,” Wiseman said. “But this day also celebrates and empowers the next generation to know that they have that power. That being a women is something to be proud of and to use as an advantage.”

Apart from students and staff, sophomore Sivadeth Rajeev Nair believes it’s crucial to recognize the women behind the scenes, mothers. 

“Growing up my dad was mostly on business trips so my mom basically raised me, she taught me everything,” Nair said. “She learned how to drive just so she could drop me off at school and she’d stay up countless nights trying to help me learn my schoolwork. She’s played a huge role in my life and I respect and value her along with all other women who make so many sacrifices for their kids.”

Scott believes that in whatever role women play in her life, the unity of women together set’s a standard for future generations. 

“Generations of past women have been constantly overlooked and marginalized in society when that clearly shouldn’t be the case. I feel like the women of this generation are setting this standard of power for the future generations. You know we are allowing the norm to be so that women are trailblazers. So that women are leaders. So that women are smart, and acknowledged, and respected for not just the next generation but generations to come.