Women's Day

International Women's Day - yes, it is celebrated here as well.  I figured it was part of their Russian/Communist roots - but maybe it is really becoming more international.

So ... you know from the last post that the mall was getting ready for Women's Day.  I found more evidence today.

I don't believe I've ever seen a Rosie the Riveter poster with roses.  My mother-in-law was a Rosie Riveter.  She quit her teaching job to inspect rivets in an aircraft factory.  When I think about her doing this, I realize how much I've never experienced a "war effort."  Once, in Newcastle, the kids and I entered a Christmas wreath making contest.  It had a patriotic theme to it for some reason.  At the time, the U.S. was engaged in a "war" in the Gulf and/or Afghanistan.  As part of helping the children understand the concept of a "war effort", we did not buy anything new for the wreath, but asked friends for red, white, and blue buttons that we hot glued to the denim wreath.  We didn't win any of the prizes.

There was a display of notable women.  In case you can't enlarge this: this woman was a doctor who volunteered in 1967 to go to South Vietnam to help wounded communist soldiers and civilians.  In June 1970, she was killed in an ambush.  A U.S. Army Intelligence officer was ordered to burn her diary.  He disobeyed orders and kept it.  In 2005, he returned it to her family, who have agreed to have it published.

This woman was the first female general of the Vietnam People's Army.  The narrative also states that she was known as the "most important Southern woman revolutionary in the war."  She was in charge of an all-female force known as the Long-Haired Army.  They "engaged in espionage and combat against ARVN and U.S. forces."

Their photos were on display with other notable women: Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana, Wilma Rudolph, Maya Angelou, Anne Frank, Malala, Amelia Earhart, Beyonce, Meryl Streep, Emma Watson, and Angelina Jolie (among others).

I have a student who become interested in the U.S. floor puzzle we have in our room this week.  It was pretty hard to NOT put this piece in place for her.

We had our Sports Day last Monday.  Imagine - Sports Day on 4 March.  Actually, it was called "Wet 'n Wild Day".  That's right ... water was a main component of this sports day.  At one point, everyone changed into their swimsuits.  It was pretty wild ... and really wet!  Sorry - no photos.