D’var Torah – International Women’s Day

Written by Rabbi Hannah Kingston — 7 March 2025

Tomorrow, March 8^th, we mark International women’s day, a day to raise awareness about gender discrimination and to take action for women’s equality. And a day on which we celebrate the achievements of women across social, economic, cultural and political platforms. International Women’s Day began in 1911 when over a million women and men rallied for women’s rights to work and vote, and to end public discrimination.

Whilst today many feel the battle has been won, with more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, there is still a long way to go before true equality is achieved. Women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

In certain places it even feels as if we have gone backwards. In the United States, the Trump administration’s DEI crackdown led to purging diversity, equity and inclusion content online. Included in this was the first women to pass Marine infantry training, as well as webpages for the United States Army Women’s Museum — known as the only museum in the world dedicated to “preserving and sharing the history of the contributions of women to the Army.” The Navy History Heritage command website, showcasing women in the military, also led to only an error message, in compliance with Trump’s sweeping executive order.

When this is coupled with the loss of reproductive freedom for many women throughout America, as well as cuts to maternity leave pay, it is no wonder women feel as if they are being erased from a historical narrative, and are fighting harder than ever to have their voices heard.

Women are often also removed from our biblical narrative, referred to only as wives and mothers, despite the large and vital role they play in building our Jewish history.

Although many do not know, when it came to the building of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary that travelled with the Israelites, women played a pivotal role in parts of its construction. We were taught last week in Torah that all should bring to the Temple what their hearts moved them to bring, but we are explicitly told that women spun the fabric with their own hands.

Further, we read in a couple of weeks:

He made the basin of copper and its stand of copper, from the mirrors of the women who performed tasks at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.

Rabbinic commentators grapple with why it is important to know that the mirrors came from the women, and why these items of vanity should be included in the construction of such a holy place. They even argue that Moses wished to reject these items.

Midrash teaches that when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, the women used their mirrors to reawaken their husbands’ attention. They sat with their husbands and looked at their reflections, saying: “I look nicer than you!” This action breathed new life into their relationships, and babies were born as a result.

So, God commanded Moses: “The mirrors were used for beauty and spirituality and will have an honoured place in my holy dwelling place.”

Ibn Ezra also says that the giving over the of mirrors marked the beginning of a group of women living a life dedicated to God. These women distanced themselves from beauty and worldly desires; and no longer needed their mirrors. So they were melted down in order to create a holy object, as an expression of their aspirations for a more holy existence. Women were leading the way, modelling this behaviour for their husbands.

We are also approaching the festival Purim, and the story of Vashti is also one that is often lost in a wider narrative. Appearing only in the first chapter of the book of Esther, she refuses to dance in only a crown, and consequently disappears from our narrative for good.

Vashti is the unsung hero of our Purim story. Today, she is seen as a feminist icon, as she fought to be counted as an equal to her husband. She is a great example to us all. She teaches us that we all have right to assess how comfortable we feel in a situation, and the power to change how we act if we do not feel comfortable.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s day is ‘Accelerate Action’ emphasising the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

May we work to accelerate action – calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias and celebrating women’s success. May we share the stories of women, rather than hide them from our history, finding those which have been lost and reclaim them as our own. And may we be inspired to fight for equality for all,  supporting and encouraging all women and girls to reach their full potential.