Blooming Traditions: How Immigrant Women Celebrate International Women's Day in London

How immigrant women in London and Middlesex keep International Women's Day traditions alive while building new connections

The traditions you see on March 8th—the flowers, the women's gatherings, the special meals—didn't originate in Canada. They travelled here in the memories of immigrant women who refused to let distance dilute the spirit of this powerful day.

International Women's Day (IWD) celebrations in London offer immigrant women a unique opportunity to honour their cultural heritage and forge meaningful connections within their new Canadian community. The global resonance of IWD, shaped by diverse yet united traditions, creates a powerful intersection where cultural preservation meets community integration.

A Global Day with Local Roots

International Women's Day has become a cherished meeting point for sustaining cultural identities and nurturing new relationships in London and Middlesex County. Here, immigrant women proudly share their traditions, enriching Canada's multicultural tapestry.

International Women's Day is celebrated in distinctive ways worldwide, each rooted in local contexts. In Italy, men traditionally offer yellow mimosas to women, a gesture popularised by activist Teresa Mattei in 1946 as an accessible alternative to pricier flowers like violets or lilies of the valley.

Notably, the global recognition of International Women's Day was significantly shaped by its adoption as an official holiday by the Soviet Union in 1917, further cementing its international prominence. Today, countries as diverse as Afghanistan, China, Russia, and Vietnam officially recognise IWD as a public holiday, while others like Australia, Croatia, and Chile celebrate widely without formal recognition. In European nations such as Bulgaria and Romania, IWD celebrations blend with Mother's Day traditions, as children present tokens of love and appreciation to mothers and grandmothers.

In Canada, International Women's Day (IWD) is observed annually on March 8 to honour women and girls' social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. While it is not a public holiday, it is widely celebrated nationwide through various events and initiatives. The Government of Canada's theme for IWD 2025 is "Strength in every story," emphasising the importance of amplifying the voices of all women, particularly those who continue to face barriers to success. This theme underscores the nation's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment in all aspects of society.

Connection Through Celebration

These traditions naturally foster dialogue among women from different backgrounds. Since 2000, organisations like the South London Community Resource Centre have actively created spaces for immigrant and Canadian women to share their rich cultural heritage. In this year’s celebration, held back on February 22 in consideration for Ramadan, participants showcased traditional artefacts, vibrant clothing, evocative artwork, and shared food and dance—each telling a story of identity and belonging.

Jaspal Gill, a South Asian immigrant, illustrates the transformative potential of community engagement in addressing these issues. Reflecting on her arrival in Canada in 2002, she recalls feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of integrating into a new society: "Options were limited for me, and engaging with others was tough. I had little time to learn about Canadian culture, let alone Indigenous cultures." Her experience highlights how, for many newcomers, practical demands can delay deeper learning about both settler and Indigenous communities. Over time, Gill became a strong advocate for encouraging immigrants to actively learn about and support Indigenous peoples—an effort she now sees as essential, with events like International Women's Day offering opportunities to build these crucial connections.

When Women Gather

London offers several prominent platforms for celebrating International Women's Day. The London Abused Women's Centre has hosted its annual IWD Breakfast for 25 years, honouring women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. Their 25th-anniversary breakfast, scheduled for March 7th, 2025, exemplifies how immigrant women have become essential participants and contributors to local traditions.

Across diverse cultures, this day represents the striving for a universal understanding that women deserve equitable treatment and lives filled with dignity and respect. Global movements associated with International Women's Day, such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, underscore universal concerns about sexual harassment and wage inequality—concerns that unite women across cultural and geographical divides.

Both Bread and Roses

The phrase "Bread and Roses" embodies the essence of International Women's Day across cultures. Born from labour movements in the early 20th century, this powerful slogan symbolised women's fight for fair wages (bread) and dignified living conditions (roses). It inspired the 1912 Lawrence textile strike in Massachusetts, where immigrant women courageously protested for better pay and working conditions.

The enduring relevance of Bread and Roses highlights its dual aims of practical support and human dignity, which resonate deeply with the contemporary struggles of women worldwide. This connection is vividly captured in modern narratives like the 2024 documentary Bread & Roses, which portrays the struggles of Afghan women under Taliban rule.

Looking Forward

The London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership proudly supports these vibrant, cross-cultural celebrations. Established in 2009, LMLIP is dedicated to cultivating a welcoming community—a mission vividly realised through International Women's Day.

For immigrant women, IWD in London can become a profound catalyst for cultural understanding that extends far beyond a single day's events. Jaspal Gill emphasises the importance of multi-directional cultural exchange, noting, "South Asian immigrants need to do more to learn about the oppression of Indigenous peoples, to understand Indigenous cultures and values."

The growing emphasis on intersectionality at local events—such as the 2024 "All Are Welcome Here" gathering—demonstrates a deepening recognition of how gender intersects with cultural background, immigration status, and ethnicity, enriching the collective understanding of community challenges and opportunities.

While International Women's Day occurs annually on March 8th, its impact extends throughout the year. The relationships and conversations sparked during IWD can foster lasting connections and inspire collaborative community initiatives. The London Abused Women's Centre's tradition of annual breakfasts is just one example of how consistent community engagement becomes a cherished cornerstone of cultural solidarity and inclusion.

Ultimately, International Women's Day is more than a celebration—it's a powerful reminder that when women gather, barriers crumble, voices amplify, and communities transform. By sharing flowers, bread, and stories, women continue to build understanding, resilience and hope across every border.