If there's a country that loves to celebrate, it's Italy. And March 8 is no exception.
In America, we don't really celebrate International Women's Day, but in Italy, la Festa della Donna is an opportunity to celebrate friends, wives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and cousins.
The History of la Festa della Donna
La Festa della Donna has its roots in the global struggle for women’s rights but developed its own unique traditions over time.
It was first officially recognized in Italy in 1945, during the final years of World War II, by the Unione Donne Italiane (UDI), a women's organization that wanted to establish a day to acknowledge women's contributions to society and advocate for gender equality. The first large-scale celebrations took place in 1946, just as Italy was transitioning to democracy after the fall of fascism.
Why the Mimosa Flower?
In the days leading up to March 8, you'll see fresh yellow flowers (as well as fake flowers packaged with chocolate roses) for sale at markets and supermarkets.
These yellow balls are a type of mimosa, and they're the symbol of International Women's Day in Italy.
In 1946, the UDI was looking for a flower to represent Women’s Day: something affordable, easy to find in early March, and symbolic of strength and resilience. Mimosa flowers fit perfectly. They bloom right around March 8th, and are bright and cheerful, yet tough and resistant, just like the women they honor.
Their ability to thrive in difficult conditions made them an apt metaphor for the struggles and perseverance of women.
Since then, gifting mimosas has become an essential part of Women’s Day in Italy. Men give them to women, but women also exchange them among themselves as a sign of solidarity.
How I Celebrated
For me, la Festa della Donna is an opportunity to connect with the women in my adopted family. Any other time, Mamma is busy cooking or cleaning, but on the 8th, she and I joined her sister, sister-in-law, and niece for a pizza and a lot of laughs.
I brought these amazing women mimosas to show them how much I appreciate them letting me into their pack.
The Deeper Meaning
Though Women’s Day has become somewhat commercialized, with restaurant offers and social outings, the original purpose remains. It’s a day to recognize the progress made in women’s rights, labor rights, and gender equality, while also acknowledging the challenges that still exist.
For me, it's about sisterhood. We pause on a single day of the year (and I joke that all the other days are la Festa degli Uomini, the festival for men) to remind ourselves of our strength and connection. To remember that we have a support network whenever we need it.
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