Some didn’t show up for work.
Others showed up for work, and wore red to signify how they felt.
Still others marched in protest or solidarity, or declined to buy anything from a business that, in their view, doesn’t support women.
It was all part of a worldwide response Wednesday to International Women’s Day, with women (and men) flexing their economic muscle and raising their voice in support of a national push for equal rights and better pay for women. From Los Angeles to New York, to Melbourne and Seoul, thousands of women took the streets to make the simple point that women often are routinely mistreated in everything from pay to workplace issues to health care.
While the day devoted to recognizing the contributions of women dates back to the early 1900s it’s had a resurgence after Hillary Clinton, the first woman candidate to be nominated by a major party, lost the election to President Donald Trump, whose comments about women and his admission that he gropes women raised the ire of many.
“I just feel like we’re moving backward on women’s rights, and it’s upsetting,” said Robin Ganahl, a stay-at-home mother in Tustin and organizer of the climate-based women’s group, Mother’s Out Front.
Ganahl didn’t march Wednesday or skip work. But, like many, Ganahl said she skipped all economic activities, a non-action that activists hoped would point out that women make about 75 percent of purchase decisions, even though economists suggest women in the United States make 79 cents of every dollar earned by men.
“I have two daughters, they’re 6 and 7, and I want them to have the same opportunities that their friends who are boys have,” Ganahl said. “So, equal pay is definitely an issue that I’m concerned about.”
Other women chose to take the day off work to illustrate their importance in the work force. The policy institute the Center for American Progress found that California would lose $2.75 billion in one day if all women stayed home from work.
Still others went to work, but hoped to make a statement while there.
At a family medical practice in Brea run by Drs. Lauren Stearns and Kristine Percy, the staff ate a homemade breakfast made by Percy and employees wore red as a show of solidarity. Female staffers spent the morning together and talked about how they appreciated each other while surrounded by Women’s Day signs, and all employees chose a charity that supports women to direct their donations.
Before Wednesday’s protests Orange County Democratic Party Chairwoman Fran Sdao sent out an email outlining ways people can participate if they’re not able to miss work. She listed charitable giving to groups that focus on women’s health and shopping at women- or minority-owned businesses.
Anabel Krishnan who lives in Culver City stayed home from her job as a project manager for a marketing company. She did spend some money — getting a haircut — but said she the stylist is a woman entrepreneur. Her company supported her decision to take time off, and organized an hour-long meeting held by women in the office sharing all that they do.
For Krishnan, women’s rights is a unifying theme that people everywhere can get behind.
“It affects a lot of people,” she said. “Now people are starting to see at the end of the day that (women’s rights) are human rights. It affects women, it affects immigrants, it affects Muslims; it’s all interconnected.”
Others view their jobs as part of the solution to gender inequity, and felt inspired to turn up to work.
“We see ourselves as proponents of change, so it’s counterintuitive for my partner and I to take the day off,” said Becka Klauber, president and co-founder of the Santa Monica-based Helpr, which connects parents with screened babysitters and other child care for working parents in Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Barbara.
“We sent a memo out to everyone saying if they want to strike, we support them.”
Other businesses focused on women’s health offered free services.
One Down Dog, a Los Angeles yoga studio, encouraged customers to make charitable donations. Two jars labeled with the names of two non-profit organizations, the Downtown Women’s Shelter and Planned Parenthood, would receive all the proceeds from the day’s classes.
“We know yoga is a refuge for many of you supportive women, men, and non gender-conforming yogis. So International Women’s Day will be donation based,” organizers wrote on the event’s Facebook page.
“We will let classes go to past normal capacity. Make some friends and tickle some toes.”
Contact the writer: lawilliams@scng.com
