MDBCs 04 Aug 2024

August 4 is Single Working Women's Day, a day reserved to recognize the important role that single working women play in our communities and societies.

The unofficial holiday was created by Barbara Payne who realized that despite the important economic and social contributions of single working women, there were no holidays that celebrated their achievements, creativity, and courage. And thus, Single Working Women's Day (SWWD) was founded in 2006. SWWD falls with Single Working Women's Week, a whole week devoted to celebrating happily single women who are gainfully employed.

No Longer a Stigma...

As societies around the world have progressed, the age-old stigma associated with single and/ or working women is slowly but surely disappearing. Today, women do not have to be married and stay-at-home to prove their worth. Successful and accomplished single women can be found in every walk of life and they contribute to their workplaces and communities on par with their peers who are married or in relationships.

...But Still Many Challenges

Despite this, there are many challenges that single working women still face in the workplace and in society. SWWD raises awareness about these issues and encourages people to find equitable solutions. The day also attempts to eliminate singlism - the stereotyping and discrimination of single people. It acknowledges that singlehood does not preclude happiness and satisfaction with life and that some people prefer going through life solo than with a partner.

How to Celebrate?

Honor all the single, working women in your life. Let them know that you admire them, respect their decisions and are inspired by what they do.
In many parts of the world, being a single woman is still considered to be a shameful thing. Volunteer your time and money to organizations that work towards helping single, working women stand on their feet and be self-sufficient in these countries.

Did You Know...

...that studies have shown that single people are much more social than married people? People with spouses and partners tend to spend less time with friends and more time with their families.

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Sisters' Day

The first Sunday of August every year is celebrated around the world as Sisters’ Day.

The unofficial holiday honors the strong bond that people share with their sister(s). Sometimes called National Sisters' Day in the United States, the holiday encourages people to celebrate the special relationship between them and their sister(s).

This is a day to acknowledge the joy and love that your sister brings into your life and to make sure that she knows that you cherish all that she does for you.

Describes Many Different Relationships

While sister is usually used to refer to a female sibling, the term can be used for a variety of relationships. In many cultures, the term is used to address a female nurse, a woman who is in religious service, like a nun, or any other unrelated woman who shares a person's religion. Members of a sorority - a female social organization on college campuses - also call each other sisters.

How to Celebrate?

If you live far from your sister, call them or send them a card telling them how much you love them and appreciate them.
If you live close to them, visit them or take them out for a nice meal and treat them to their favorite dessert.
Don't have a sister who you share genes with? What about celebrating your female friends who have provided you the love and support that only a sister can?

Did You Know...

...that a similar holiday, Rakshabandhan or Rakhi is celebrated by those who follow the Hindu religion around the same time as Sisters' Day? Celebrated every year on a full Moon day, the holiday honors the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.

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After a health scare, I hugged my wife and whispered, “If something happens to me, the presents in my closet are yours.”

She whispered back, “If anything happens to you, everything in your closet is mine.”

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My ESL students try so hard and are so appreciative.

One student paid me the ultimate compliment when she said, “You teach English good.”

Another assured me, “I will always forget you.”

And a third insisted, “I thank you from the heart of my bottom.”

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If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for  a month.

Theodore Roosevelt

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When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant, I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21,  I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.