March marks International Women’s Month, and we are always very excited to celebrate the women at COSMOS and those all over the globe. International Women’s Month (IWD), which is celebrated every March 8th, transcends being a mere date on the calendar, through the coming together of women to achieve equality.
It serves as a global movement commemorating the resilient spirit and remarkable accomplishments of women across the globe. This year’s campaign theme is centered around Inspiring Inclusion.
What does it mean to inspire inclusion? Creating a truly inclusive environment means fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for everyone, regardless of their background or identity. It ensures everyone feels valued, respected, and heard and that they can contribute fully and authentically to the collective while having their voices acknowledged and considered.
IWD symbolizes a steadfast commitment to the ongoing struggle for gender parity. As we commemorate this occasion, we must recognize that each voice raised and shared narrative contributes to our collective journey toward genuine equality.
Fadime Ledford celebrates IWD and discusses its significance to her. This is what she had to say:
“International Women’s Day celebrates the strength and determination of women worldwide. My mom has always been the greatest role model for me. She has inspired my siblings and me, especially the girls, to pursue our dreams. She wanted her daughters to be treated equitably and financially independent.
“Coming from a country where education isn’t readily available for all women, my journey has been shaped by overcoming significant obstacles. Growing up in a large, low-income family, I witnessed firsthand the limitations many women faced solely due to their gender.
“The opportunity to move to the United States and pursue higher education at age 35 was transformative. Graduating from this esteemed university empowered me to overcome past limitations and pursue a fulfilling career. My current position at COSMOS embodies the power of perseverance and exemplifies the transformative potential of education, particularly for women who have traditionally faced systemic barriers.”
Fadime encourages women to celebrate each other. She further emphasized that we are only limited by our dreams as women. All the accomplishments and successes the world celebrates didn’t come easily for us. Together, women are a powerhouse, and if we all can remember to stick together, we can always do our utmost to achieve the impossible and make miracles.
Mary Mezue, a graduate student researcher, excitedly shares the significance of this yearly celebration to her. She says, “I love every opportunity where the world celebrates women. As an African, I grew up seeing how women’s strengths were mostly undermined. It is important that the world reflects on how we can better support and empower women in the workplace, whether it’s through mentorship programs, equal opportunities for advancement, or creating a more inclusive work environment.”
International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equality and inclusion in the world.
Showing our pride for International Women’s Day, Dr. Agarwal said, “At COSMOS Research Center, we proudly honor the invaluable contributions of women in shaping our collective future. Their brilliance, creativity, and resilience fuel our quest for knowledge and innovation. Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at COSMOS, where we celebrate the power of women to inspire, lead, and transform the world.”