Name: 27th Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast — Mass NOW
Start: 2025-03-07T09:00:00-0500
End: 2025-03-07T12:00:00-0500
Location: Simmons University

History of IWD

Thank you to our sponsors, planning committee and partner organizations

Tickets for the main room are sold out!

Please continue to sign up for virtual tickets and tickets for our overflow room.

Agenda

9AM - 10AM Tabling + Breakfast

Common Ground Cafe and the Fens, Simmons Main Campus Building

10AM Welcome Remarks

The Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, Simmons Main Campus Building

Sasha Goodfriend & Ayanna Polk, IWD Co-Chairs
Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, Simmons University President
Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston
Virtual Remarks: Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts

10:30AM - 12PM Panel: Action in Unity, Celebrating Women’s Collective Power

Moderated by Karen Homes Ward

Rev. Clementina Chery – Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Fredie Kay, Esq. – MA Women's History Center
Pamela Leins – Boston Education Fund
Colette Phillips – Colette Phillips Communications

11:40am Q&A

12pm Closing

Action in Unity Panelists

Fredie Kay, Esq.

Colette Phillips

Chaplain Clementina Chéry

Pamela Leins

Moderator:
***Karen Holmes Ward,***
*Host of CityLine at WCVB*

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women's Day (IWD) is designated in many countries as a national holiday and commemorated at the United Nations as well as by many women's groups around the world. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries, and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least ten decades of struggle for equality, justice, and development.

IWD is the story of ordinary women as makers of history. It is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men.

The idea of an IWD first arose at the turn of the century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth, and radical ideologies.

The History of Bread and Roses

In 1912, the labor protest later known as the "Bread and Roses" strike began in Lawrence, Massachusetts. A new state law had reduced the' maximum workweek from 56 to 54 hours. Factory owners responded by speeding up production and cutting workers' pay. Women of all ethnic groups banded together in solidarity, shut down their looms, left the mill and took to the streets in protest. One group of women carried a banner proclaiming, "We want bread and roses too."

The slogan appeals for both fair wages and dignified conditions and highlighted the respect due to them as women, rather than just as cheap labor. The slogan caught on and provided the name for one of the most important events in American labor history.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Thank you to the planning committee!

Alex Miller, Alexis Hatcher-Fernandez, Ariana Rankins, Asha Janay, Ashley Kotzen, Ashley Saccoach, Aubrey Taylor, Ayanna Polk, Brianna Savage, Carmen Blyden, Carol Diesel, Dana Alas, Denise McIsaac, Eleonora Cordovani, Elizabeth Hoffmann, Ellen Krause-Grosman, Emily Shield, Emma Staff, Emma Offord, Gary Yu, Grace Harman, Hali Smith, Hope Ricciotti, Ivanna Solano, Jazmine Richardson, Kaitlyn McTarnaghan, Karen Ceppetelli, Kat Cline, Kathy Lucas, Kelsey Hogan, Kim Sebastiao, Kiran Pervez, Kirti Rawat, Komal Rawat, Kristine Acevedo, Lena Schwallenberg, Liying Kuang, Madeline Peoples, Makda Teklemichael, Maria Laura, Ayala Conesa, Marie Turley, Marydith Tuitt, Maureen Hansen, Maureen Gilbert, May Vaughn, Meghan Doran, Mel EB, Miranda Millang, Molly Berry, Mukta Maheshwari, Naitasia Hensey, Nasiba Mannan, Natalie Binne, Pierre-Mica Kermie Cazeau, Quiana Agbai, Raquel Quezada, Sarah Ducamp, Sarah Caiazzo Pyke, Sarah Griffin, Sasha Goodfriend, Selina Liu, Shaitia Spruell, Shalaya West, Shanequa Christmas, Shannon Montanez, Sharon Stout, Sharon Schiffer, Stacy Wilbur, Stephanie Goulet, Tanika Smith, Vina Lee, Zachary Hutton, Zainab Aderinwale

Thank you to our partner organizations!

Frequently Asked Questions

The International Women’s Day Breakfast is located at Simmons University, 300 The Fenway in Boston, MA in the Main College Building.
Driving and public transportation directions can be found here.
There will be limited discounted parking tickets available, please ask for a discounted parking ticket when you sign in at the registration table.

The discounted parking applies to the Simmons University Garage, address: 86-96 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115. More information and directions can be found here.
An overflow ticket means that you signed up for a ticket after the maximum tickets for the main room had been reached. You can still attend the tabling and breakfast (in Common Ground) from 9am-10am, and then you will be able to watch the speaking portion from 10am-12:30pm in an overflow room.
Yes! Lite bites including fruit, vegan muffins, gluten free muffins, scones, orange juice, and more, will be provided.
9AM - 10AM Tabling + Breakfast in Common Ground Cafe
10AM Welcome Remarks
10:20AM - 12PM Panel
The color for IWD is PURPLE! Most people will be wearing business casual clothes, wear whatever makes you the most comfortable.
You’ll receive more information from us via email! Please email massnow@massnow.org if you have any questions.