International Women’s Day: A Personal Reflection on Being a Woman
Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to honoring the achievements of women, raising awareness about gender equality, and recognizing the struggles women have faced throughout history.
But many people don’t realize that this day began with a movement rooted in the lives of working women.
In the early 20th century, women across Europe and North America were fighting for basic rights: safer working conditions, fair wages, and the right to vote. Many of these women worked long hours in factories and garment workshops under extremely difficult conditions. In 1908, thousands of women garment workers marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights.
A few years later, in 1910, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of an international day dedicated to women’s rights at a conference of working women in Copenhagen. The idea spread quickly, and the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911 across several European countries.
March 8th became widely recognized after women in Russia organized a massive strike in 1917 demanding “bread and peace.” Their protest played a key role in the events that eventually led to women gaining the right to vote in Russia.
Over time, what started as a political and labor movement grew into a global day of recognition, reflection, and celebration of women’s contributions to society. And yet, its origins remind us that the fight for equality began with ordinary women standing up for dignity, fairness, and opportunity.
Today I want to share a more personal reflection on what it means for me to be a woman in life and in business, and how that journey shapes the work we do at Fashion Studio No.5.
Growing up, I was a tomboy. My mom always kept my hair short, I wore baggy clothes, and I loved rap music. I never really considered myself “pretty” (although now, sometimes I do, LOL).
In my family of two sisters, my sister was always the more delicate and feminine one. My dad used to call me his little son. Sometimes people on the street would stop me and say things like, “Hey boy, who are your parents?” or “Hey son, how old are you?”
And honestly, at that time, I sometimes wished I had been born a boy.
As I got older, insecurities grew. It wasn’t until I started my career in a cosmetics company that I began to understand what it truly means to be a woman, a woman leader, confident and proud of her identity. That experience taught me to embrace my femininity, my strengths, and ultimately, to be grateful for being born a woman.
I don’t define myself as a feminist in the traditional sense. I deeply appreciate support, including the support of men. In fact, I often say that behind my success is my husband’s encouragement, help and support, and I will always be grateful for that.
But at the same time, I am a woman who loves independence. I enjoy making decisions, building something, creating opportunities, and supporting other women. And I also believe that strength includes knowing when to accept help.
For me, being a strong woman doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It means building a life where support, respect, and independence can coexist.
I am proud to be a woman who transformed from a very shy and introverted child into a confident adult.
A woman who loves and is loved.
A woman who has a beautiful family, a wonderful team, and amazing customers.
A woman who truly loves what she does.
I am also proud to be a woman who experienced immigration: starting life from zero in another country that I now proudly call home. Starting over in a new place is never easy. It means rebuilding your identity, your network, your business, and your confidence. Sometimes it means changing direction completely.
My life has changed 180 degrees many times. And yes, I am always scared of change. But those changes never broke me, they pushed me to move forward. Every day brings challenges, but those challenges never stop me from chasing my dreams. A woman should never be afraid to dream, and even more importantly, never be afraid to change or adjust those dreams along the way.
As we celebrate International Women’s Month, I believe it’s important to recognize the women who make fashion possible, not only the designers whose names appear on labels, but also the women working behind the scenes. Behind every designer you admire, there is a team of talented women quietly working to bring the vision to life: pattern makers, seamstresses, quality controllers, production managers.
These women are the backbone of the fashion industry.
At Fashion Studio No.5, we are committed to nurturing that talent by creating a space where creativity is respected, craftsmanship is celebrated, and every woman’s contribution matters.
I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by amazing women: our team, our customers, and the many women whose paths cross with ours. Every day I hear beautiful stories. Women who are building businesses, raising families, changing careers, chasing dreams, or simply trying to create a life that feels meaningful. Sometimes the relationships we build go far beyond business. For some women, I become like an auntie, a sister, a daughter, a friend, sometimes even a godmother. And those connections are one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
So let’s take a moment to be proud of who we are.
Let’s cherish the fact that we are women.
Let’s remind ourselves how strong, talented, resilient, and capable we truly are.
And most importantly, let’s support one another, lift each other up, celebrate each other’s successes, and stand beside each other through challenges.
Because when women support women, incredible things happen.
Love,
Rodica
