Several years ago, the only option a woman had to remain looking younger was plastic surgery. Today, we have the luxury of technology that brings us advances every day, with the help of which we can forget the word ‘plastic surgery’. Such technologies and innovations include lasers, light therapy, chemical peels, and much, much more. We now have the capabilities to look younger longer without being subjected to the dangers of anesthesia and scalpel.
A few years ago, it seemed that the only country that celebrated March 8th as the International Women’s Day was Russia. It’s interesting to note that though people from all countries that were once part of the Soviet Union keep this holiday very dear to their hearts, most don’t know the origins of this holiday, or have a much skewed perception of its appearance. Most attribute this day to Clara Zetkin, who definitely played a role in it, but was not the main initiator of the female movement and the reason for March 8th. Yet even more believe that this holiday took roots in Russia. Let’s take a look at what’s really happened.
Several stories are tied to the International Women’s Day. One states that on March 8th, 1857 a group of New York textile workers (females, or course) flooded the city’s streets in order to protest against unfair conditions, long working hours (at times up to 16 hours per day) and very low wages.
Another is of organized meetings by thousands of women also in New York City but in 1908, either in March or in February (one would think that this history not being so long, there would be a better record). This time, over fifteen thousand women marched the streets of New York in protest of sexual discrimination, low wages, horrible working conditions and the biggest issue of all – suffrage. At this time, women of the United States still had no right to vote (only granted in 1920). While there seems to be some doubt about the demonstrations in 1857, there is proof (photographic and recorded) of the 1908 protests, as well as many changes they brought for the women’s movement in America.
Inspired by this event (!), in 1910, at the Second International Socialist Women Conference in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin – one of the world’s most famous female communists – proposed to celebrate International Women’s Day each year. It was decided that during this day, women everywhere would gather in demonstration and raise awareness of female related political and social issues. Thus, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in March of 1911 in several European countries and year after year women gathered on the streets of more and more European capitals to protest against their conditions. The exact date always varied and was a bit different in each city.
In 1917, the first of Russian February revolutions started with unrest in Petrograd on February 23rd (old count), or March 8th (new count). This event was later tied to the International Women’s Day, when it was proclaimed a holiday in 1921 – commemoration of women’s participation in the events of the Revolution. This is the first time that Russia (by now the USSR) played a significant role in this holiday’s history. In fact, as you can see, the true reason for this holiday took root in the US and ‘immigrated’ to Europe only several years later.
For several decades, March 8th was tied to the Socialist movement of women and breaking free from the slavery of being a house-wife. Propaganda called to stand up and prove to the world that women were not going to stand by quietly. However, with time, March 8th became a holiday when men commemorate their love, admiration and respect for women in their lives. This holiday is not dedicated to all women, not just mothers, lovers, or wives.
If you are a woman – we hope you have an amazing day, with lots of love, laughter, flowers and spring spirits. If you are a man – please observe this very important holiday. You don’t have to do more than say pleasant words to someone to make their day brighter and happier.
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But is it really? When we have a happy, satisfying relationship with someone, do we stop trying to be beautiful? When we worry about our appearance, do we only worry about the impression certain people have of us? Do we only want to be beautiful for one day, event, or gathering? Most of us will answer these questions with a “No” – when we think about beauty, we think about it being almost eternal – something that doesn’t depend on a situation.
But let’s talk about what beauty is. Historically, this term is associated with physical appearance of a human – man or woman – and is mainly related to proportions and youth. For example, research shows that in Western cultures men are considered attractive when their legs are as long as their upper body, while female legs should ideally be 40% longer than the rest of their body. Facial symmetry is another factor playing into proportions –eyes, brows and lips all have a role in how people perceive each other. Body proportions, which are considered attractive, vary from culture to culture, but one important factor that historically determines whether we, and others, feel that we are beautiful remains the same throughout the world and dates back to our ancestors – youth.
You may say that youth comes and goes and there is nothing to do about it. However, with advanced cosmetics technologies it is definitely much easier to remain youthful, thus beautiful, than change the length of your legs, bust size, or eye shape.
But let’s move on to some interesting facts. Did you know that ancient Romans didn’t tolerate any kind of facial blemishes, including freckles? They used such methods as milk baths and chalk masks to hide such imperfections. Thankfully, today we don’t have to take drastic measures and can simply be smart about our skin care choices. Natura Siberica is that perfect choice.
This innovative skin care is completely organic and uses Siberian herbs to give you the same results that you see with expensive, top-of-the-line cosmetics manufacturers like La Prairie and L’Oreal.
Natura Siberica also offers a line of decorative makeup created with the same organic and natural ingredients than the rest of its products. Check it out for yourself at www.russianfooddirect.com/health-beauty
Though it is clear that makeup is no longer made with copper, lead and other harmful materials, a lot of products out there can actually damage your skin in the long run. We hope that you take caution in your choices and don’t forget that young, smooth skin has traditionally been considered the most beautiful physical feature of a human.
The reasons why Russian women dare to look for a foreign husband are simple, but not easy: a woman still hopes to have an honest, responsible man who will treat her with respect and attention. The foreigner sees his future Russian wife as healthy, hard working and docile. To better understand Russian mentality, there are some things that must be clearly realized.
First of all, what is thriftiness in American, the “greed” is called in Russian. And for the Russians,
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I decided to write this article, relying on your opinions and experience. I’ve just tried to cast a true color of the Russian woman’s portrait so that you can’t reproach me with being subjective, arrogant or Americanist (in fact, I am Russian, living in the homeland). I have never thought of stereotyping Russian women and giving a false image, and the evidence of that is the lively discussion excited by my articles. Now you have a chance to read amazing, sometimes contradictory, even conflicting your statements on the subject (my edition). I’d love to emphasize one thing
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