How to Celebrate International Women’s Day the Right Way

International Women’s Day: Empower and Celebrate with Sickening Events

In the words of Beyoncé, “who run the world? Girls!”

As an event creator, it’s your opportunity to make every woman feel like the world is at their feet on International Women’s Day, celebrated every March 8.

For 2024, the focus is on inspiring inclusion to forge a better world for women, and Sickening Events has some exciting ideas to help you bring your A-game.

Why Trust Sickening Events?

At Sickening Events, we are dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences. With our expertise in event planning and execution, we ensure that every event stands out. In 2023, we helped organize over 500 successful events, each tailored to meet the unique needs and interests of our clients.

In this article, we’ll share everything we know about creating the coolest, most unforgettable events that honor and celebrate women.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Let’s Give It Up for the Girls (Comedy Night)
• Skills of the Sisterhood (Economic Empowerment Workshop)
• Whispers in the Dark (Dance Party with a Twist)
• Chicks in the Flicks (Film Screening)
• Girl, Your Dress Is Insane (Fashion Show)

How to Create a Meaningful Event That Isn’t Boring

While some women love sipping on champagne and getting their nails done, others would rather get hot and sweaty at an all-night rave. Women are complex and multifaceted individuals, and International Women’s Day (IWD) is a perfect time to create a vibrant event reflecting this diversity. Your event doesn’t have to be overly serious!

International Women’s Day, on March 8, is about recognizing the accomplishments of incredible women worldwide and addressing the hardships they still face. For instance, there are 259 million fewer women with internet access compared to men globally.

This day sparks discussions on gender equality and women’s treatment worldwide. It’s a reminder that even though society has progressed, there’s still much to be done, such as closing the gender pay gap, which is only 68.4% closed.

However, it’s also about celebrating what makes women special, so make your event fun and engaging.

Event Ideas

1. Let’s Give It Up for the Girls (Comedy Night)

If there’s one thing we know about women, it’s that they’re funny as hell.

Even with top female comedians like Ali Wong and Sarah Silverman, live comedy is still often associated with men. Change this by creating a live comedy night so outrageously fun that it shatters the misconception that women aren’t as funny as men.

Here’s how to do it:

• Showcase Local Talent: Set up your event as a showcase of the best female up-and-comers in comedy within your local area by reaching out to local comedy clubs.
• Open Mic Session: Organize a 30-minute open mic session and invite female audience members to participate in comedy for the night.
• Pro Tip: Create a wacky IWD-themed drink. For example, follow Sam Adams Downtown Boston Taproom’s lead with their ‘The Future is FemAle.’ Try a cocktail like ‘Rosie’ — a gin and raspberry liqueur homage to Rosie the Riveter. Offer the first 10 women attendees one for free!

2. Skills of the Sisterhood (Economic Empowerment Workshop)

The theme for IWD 2024 is to “collectively forge a more inclusive world for women” and “inspire inclusion.”

Organize workshops to help women improve their finances and, with that, their independence. Put a spin on your event by using a funky venue, like a rooftop bar or a mini golf course, for an unconventional female-only space. Alternatively, give the workshop a more intimate feel by hosting it at a local restaurant or coffee shop.

Make it interactive by providing worksheets and booklets for your attendees to fill in throughout the event, so they leave feeling ready to tackle their finances head-on and make informed decisions.

Here’s how you set it up:

• Partner with ‘Finfluencers’: Collaborate with financial influencers on social media and invite them as guest speakers.
• Personalized Gifts: Give each attendee a personalized gift upon arrival, such as a money-tracking workbook or budget spreadsheet.
• Pro Tip: Grace Women’s Organization Inc hosts interactive workshops like ‘You Are Worthy’ that help women realize their importance and potential through meaningful conversations and learning from experiences. Include a skill-sharing activity where women can teach fellow attendees their unique approach to investing and saving.

3. Whispers in the Dark (Dance Party with a Twist)

Combine fun, mystery, and a strong message into one amazing, unforgettable night.

Create a party, rave, or nightclubbing event with a twist. Use dark strobing lights to lead the way to a ticketed ‘truth room.’ Make the room pitch black so no one can see their neighbor or who’s speaking. Encourage participants to reveal a deep secret about themselves, such as a ‘forbidden’ desire, a challenge they face, or troubles they have with society.

The ‘truth room’ symbolizes women who have been silenced in the past and those who remain voiceless due to factors like domestic abuse, cultural beliefs, or confidence issues.

Take inspiration from Beetle House and go ‘full spooky.’ Decorate your venue with fake black blood, pink spiders, and red lipstick marks to make it look like a witch’s haven, and ask your attendees to come dressed like they’re ‘hiding a secret.’

Here’s how you set it up:

• DIY Truth Room: Create a truth room by hanging black sheets and making a massive teepee on the floor, sectioned off with ‘danger’ tape to add to the vibe.
• Donation Stand: Set up a donation stand for attendees to contribute and learn about movements like the National Organization For Women.
• Pro Tip: Have a collection of themed beverages behind the bar, such as ‘truth potions’ with ‘magical powers’ to enhance the immersive experience.

4. Chicks in the Flicks (Film Screening)

Bring back the good ol’ slumber party days for IWD.

Choose a niche, cozy venue (preferably with a bar), set up bean bags or mattresses on the floor, and hire a projector. Instead of screening one film, create a reel of the best scenes featuring women in the film industry. Include a diverse range of films and genres, from classics like ‘Some Like it Hot’ to recent releases like ‘Barbie.’

Celebrate the achievements of women in the entertainment industry while sparking nostalgia and inspiration among attendees.

Here’s how you set it up:

• Unconventional Cinema: Set up your film screening in a unique venue, such as an outdoor ice rink or rooftop terrace.
• Local Food Trucks: Hire local food trucks to provide delicious snacks and drinks. Consider setting up a campfire next to the stand for roasting marshmallows and drinking hot cocoa.
• Pro Tip: Dedicate 30 minutes before the film to showcase the best local short films made by and starring women. Include a Q&A with the directors and actors afterward to engage your audience.