At the Second Women’s Conference in Copenhagen in 1910, Clara Zetkin did not limit herself to proposing the annual observance of International Women’s Day — which takes place since then every March 8—, but called for linking the fight for equal rights, to the struggle for peace and against war.
Who was she? A German fighter, teacher and writer who dedicated her life to defending women’s rights; faithful supporter of the working class, with exceptional abilities as a leader and founder of the world labor movement.
Neither the difficulties of the fight, prison or exile, nor the increasing passage of time, impeded Clara Zetkin in building her work in defense of the world proletariat.
On August 30, 1932, the Reichstag (German Parliament) opened its sessions. The opening speech was the responsibility of the oldest deputy. As this was a communist, the fascists tried, unsuccessfully, to prevent her from using her remarks.
Then there was a long and imposing silence. Clara Zetkin, 75 years old and aljost blind, went up to the parliamentary bench. She knew that it would be her last speech.
With a calm voice and accusing words, she again raised her strong voice that day, giving honor to her own life. The speech was a warning shout to the people, an exhortation for peace, a condemnation of fascism in its own den.
On June 20, 1933, in Moscow, her heart stopped beating at 76 years of age. Today we remember Clara Zetkin, a woman who lived with a gaze into the future.
