让我们的孩子了解国际妇女节

 　　March 8 is International Women’s Day—a globally observed day of recognition of the history, contributions and plight¹ of women around the world. The entire month of March is “Women’s History Month” in the United States, as declared by President Barack Obama. So what does it mean and how can we use these events to educate our children on the important role of women in this world?

　　Nations across the globe have different ways of celebrating this holiday—here are some traditions from other countries to consider, as well as events and ways you can share the day with your children in a meaningful way right here in the United States.

　　CELEBRATING AROUND THE WORLD

　　In many countries International Women’s Day is treated very similarly to how we treat Mother’s Day, with men giving small gifts or flowers to the important women in their lives—grandmothers, mothers, wives, daughters, etc. Children also often give gifts to their mothers.

　　In Portugal, women have dinner parties together. Italians and Russians give women yellow mimosas, a type of flower, while in Uruguay’s capital city, a famous group of female drummers perform each year. In some countries the holiday takes on a decidedly political tone with demonstrations² regarding women’s rights and other serious issues. In Spain, working women often receive a rose from their male co-workers as a token of appreciation³.

　　HOW TO OBSERVE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

　　Donate to charity. Oxfam is a non-profit which fights poverty at its roots, in the form of development projects which help women around the world. On International Women’s Day, Oxfam welcomes you to fundraise for them by having a get-together⁴ and doing whatever it is you love to do. Sign up and get details on their website. Alternately, you could bring gently used items to a local women’s shelter or organization.

　　Attend an event. There are plenty of events going on throughout the United States. Find one near you under the Events tab on the official International Women’s Day website. A few events may be child-friendly: online photo collections, theatrical⁵ presentations, exhibits, festivals, films, art expos, rallies, poetry readings, chat party for teens, and more.

　　Watch films. Watch a movie with a strong female protagonist⁶ and then talk about it. Some suggestions: The King & I, To Kill a Mockingbird, Mulan, Annie, Persepolis, Madeline, Akeelah and the Bee, Bend it Like Beckham, Labyrinth⁷, and Alice in Wonderland.

　　Read a book. Pick up a chapter book, fiction or nonfiction, or even a picture book if you have really young children, and read together. There are many role models to be found in literature; For Pre-K and under, check out these great suggestions; for Elementary: Ramona Quimby and Junie B. Jones are great series; for Middle Grade and up: Harry⁸ Potter (who doesn’t love Hermione?), Anne of Green Gables, Helen Keller: The Story of my Life, The Diary of a Young Girl: Anne Frank, and Julie of the Wolves.

　　Write or record. Have your child write a short story with a strong heroine, or better yet, have your child interview a female friend or relative she admires and write down or record what she says as a keepsake.

　　Take a stand. Which causes affecting women pull at your heart? Get involved and let your child in on the action. It could be as simple as writing a letter to your Congressperson, making a donation to a charity, or buying a fair trade product made by women.

　　How will you celebrate International Women’s Day with your children?

1 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

2 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

3 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

4 get-together   

n.(使)聚集；(使)集合

参考例句：

• Well,Miss Huang,we are planning to have a casual get-together.嗯，黄小姐，我们打算大家小聚一番。
• Will you help me prepare for the get- together of the old classmates?你能否帮我为这次老同学聚会做好准备工作？

5 theatrical   

adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的

参考例句：

• The final scene was dismayingly lacking in theatrical effect.最后一场缺乏戏剧效果，叫人失望。
• She always makes some theatrical gesture.她老在做些夸张的手势。

6 protagonist   

n.(思想观念的)倡导者；主角，主人公

参考例句：

• The protagonist reforms in the end and avoids his proper punishment.戏剧主角最后改过自新并避免了他应受的惩罚。
• He is the model for the protagonist in the play.剧本中的主人公就是以他为模特儿创作的！

7 labyrinth   

n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路

参考例句：

• He wandered through the labyrinth of the alleyways.他在迷宫似的小巷中闲逛。
• The human mind is a labyrinth.人的心灵是一座迷宫。

8 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。