Recently I read an article by Angela Webb, a church leader from Perth who provided some interesting commentary on the origins of International Women’s Day. According to Angela’s research, the day was first celebrated in March 1911 when a million women and men rallied in support of women’s rights in the United States of America.
In the following year, a textile workers strike in Massachusetts became known as the Bread and Roses strike. Suffragist Helen Todd adopted the slogan of ‘bread and roses’ to encourage policy makers to pass laws ensuring both fair wages and dignified working conditions.
The slogan itself has perhaps a much longer history, with many attributing it to the third-century Roman physician and philosopher Galen of Pergamon, who wrote:
‘If thou hast two loaves of bread, sell one and buy flowers, for bread is food for the body, but flowers are food for the mind.’
The United Nations first celebrated International Women’s Day in 1975 and, in 1977, officially supported an annual day recognising women’s rights and bringing attention to the social, political, economic and cultural issues that women face.
The global UN Women theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 is ‘Balance the Scales’, highlighting the ongoing need for safety, fairness and equal opportunity for all women and girls.
Carey’s annual celebration of IWD will take place on Thursday 12 March. This dinner event features two Carey alumni who are leaders in their fields: mother-and-daughter duo Melinda Crole (1986) and Amanda Rayner (2008). All in the Carey community are welcome and I look forward to seeing you there.
In honour of the theme, ‘Balance the Scales’, I’d like to share with you the story of Edith Cowan (1861–1932), who worked for the rights and welfare of woman and children. Edith is the first Australian woman to serve as a member of parliament when she won the seat of West Perth in 1921. Her image has appeared on Australia’s 50 dollar note since 1995.
Edith did not have an easy life. She was only seven when her mother, Mary, a teacher, died in childbirth. Her father, Kenneth, remarried and sent Edith to a boarding school in Perth. When she was only 15, her father shot and killed his second wife while drunk and was later executed for his crime, leaving Edith an orphan. At the age of 18, Edith married James Cowan and they had four daughters and a son. James later became a Perth Magistrate and Edith saw firsthand the consequences of extreme poverty and poor educational outcomes.
Edith, as a Christian, followed the example of Jesus and campaigned to help the poor and marginalised. She helped form the Women’s Service Guilds in 1909 and become a co-founder of the Western Australia’s National Council of Women. She believed that children should not be tried as adults, nor made to work in dangerous conditions, and she founded the Children’s Protection Society. She maintained a lifetime interest in improving women’s health and worked to establish the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women in 1916.
Edith’s faith prompted her to support 46 voluntary organisations and advisory boards. She campaigned for women to become Justices of the Peace and was herself made one in 1919. In 1920, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Edith’s Grandfather was the Chaplain to the Colony of Perth, and she was a member of the Perth Anglican Church governing body called Synod in 1916, attending church whenever she could. Edith worked tirelessly for a more inclusive Australia and her funeral was attended by many thousands who had directly benefitted from the causes Edith had championed.
May the following prayer help shape your own reflections on International Women's Day and the women who have and continue to make Australia a better place for all. The prayer was shared by Tearfund Australia, a Christian agency working for a just and compassionate world.
Let us pray.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace: Bless all women who daily strive to bring peace to their communities, their homes and their hearts. Give them strength to continue to turn swords into ploughshares.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love: We pray for all women who face prejudice, inequality and gender disparities. Help us to see and to face the discrimination against women in all the many forms it may take.
Where there is injury, pardon: Comfort all women who suffer from the pain of war, violence, and abuse. Help them to become instruments of their own reconciliation and peace.
Where there is division, unity: Forgive all women and men who let differences breed hate and discrimination. Let your example of valuing all of creation help us to see that we are equal partners in the stewardship of your world.
Where there is darkness, light; where there is untruth, truth: Comfort all women who struggle in the darkness of abuse, poverty, and loneliness. May we stand with them in light to acknowledge their suffering and strive to remove the burdens of shame or embarrassment.
Where there is doubt, true faith: We pray for all women who live in fear of their partners, families, and forces that control their lives. Help them to be empowered to be their true selves through your everlasting love and faith.
Where there is despair, hope: We pray for all women who live in the despair of poverty, violence, trafficking, slavery, and abuse. May the light of your love bring them hope.
Where there is sadness, new joy: Help us to see the strength and goodness in all women and men. Transform our hearts to celebrate the love and grace of all people. Amen.
Rev. Scott Bramley
Middle School Chaplain
