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Hundreds rally in Eugene to mark International Women’s Day [1]

['Haleigh Kochanski']

Date: 2025-03-08

Hundreds rally in Eugene to mark International Women’s Day

Hundreds of protestors gathered at Alton Baker Park in Eugene Saturday for a "Unite and Resist" rally in support of human rights and International Women's Day.

To support women and gender equality year-round, this year's International Women's Day theme, "Accelerate Action," called for the acknowledgment of strategies, resources and activities that positively impact women's advancement, and support and elevate their implementation, according to the International Women's Day website.

Around 400 people registered for the "Unite and Resist" rally on the Women's March website, which called for people to "show up and fight back" against issues threatening democracy in the U.S.

"We need to fight and stop the outlandish discrimination in all sectors of government and restore the rights of the people," said Michelle Barth, a rally organizer. "We need to protect women's rights. It's our bodies and our choice. Our bodies should not be regulated because there are no regulations for men's bodies. Women are powerful, they are strong, they're intelligent, they're passionate, they are angry and we're ready to stand up against injustice."

Protestors took to the sidewalks on the Ferry Street Bridge at 11 a.m., holding up signs that read "Women will save democracy," "Still not going back," "If I make my uterus a corporation, will you stop regulating it," "Shout out to strong women. Know them. Be them. Raise them," and "Women's rights over DOGE rights." Honks from passing cars resounded in the air and protestors chanted phrases like "This is what democracy looks like" and "Hey Hey. Ho Ho. Elon Musk has got to go."

The Eugene Police Department's Mobile Response Unit was also at the rally to monitor protestors. Officers aided two individuals who fell and needed medical attention.

What is International Women's Day?

International Women's Day, observed annually on March 8, celebrates the global "social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women," according to the event website. In addition, the day provides an opportunity for groups to fundraise and promote visibility for women-focused charities.

The day also calls for action to advance gender equality.

When was International Women's Day first celebrated?

The idea for an International Women's Day was proposed and approved at the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1910. This came a year after the Socialist Party of America celebrated the first National Woman's Day in the U.S. on February 28, 1909, according to the IWD website.

The event was observed on March 19, 1911 in several European countries, with rallies and events calling for women's right to vote and an end to gender discriminations.

Since 1914, March 8 has been the fixed date for International Women's Day; it was moved to be in line with Russian women who celebrated the day on February 23 on the Gregorian Calendar. The United Nations first recognized International Women's Day in 1975.

What does International Women's Day mean to Oregonians?

Jerry Ragan, a Eugene resident and former teacher at Marist Catholic High School, came to the rally with his wife and daughter. He said International Women's Day means women deserve equal rights to men.

"To me, it means that it's a new day for all of us. Not that women are going to dominate. No. Women deserve equality," Ragan said. "I think as a father, it means the world to show my daughters I want their lives to be full. I want their lives to be of great meaning and not have somebody think they can keep them down."

Springfield resident Dianne Wilson was at the rally dressed as Ruth Bader Ginsburg while her friend, Leigh Anne Jasheway, was dressed in a red robe similar to the garb worn in “The Handmaid's Tale” by author Margaret Atwood.

"I think it's good we get together and let people know we're not going backward," Wilson said. "I'm out here for democracy, human rights, and women's rights."

"I've been in this fight since ‘72. It means that globally, we're all suffering because of religion, which is the predominant driver of patriarchy," Jasheway said. "We still have women who aren't allowed to drive, aren't allowed to work and in America, we think we're so much better because we can do those things but they're trying to take us there."

Stacy Sheckells said the U.S. has to come together in the belief that everyone is equal and deserves the same rights.

"International Women's Day is a time when women can come together all over the world and have our voices heard unified on one day," said Sheckells, a Eugene resident. "I've been doing this for like 10 years since the first time he ran and it's just gotten much worse and we have to save our democracy. What we need to do is just listen and not brush someone's opinions aside and we need to take their experience in account when making laws."

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at [email protected].

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[1] Url: https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/local/2025/03/08/hundreds-rally-in-eugene-for-international-womens-day/81958545007/

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