International Women's Day, established to honor women around the world, is 92 years old today.
In recognition of women in Memphis, the 17th annual Women of Achievement Awards Banquet will be held Sunday at the Memphis Marriott, at 2635 Thousand Oaks.
Tickets are $30 and the event starts at 5:30 p.m.
Awards will be given in seven categories: courage, determination, heritage, heroism, initiative, steadfastness and vision.
"The 'vision' award will be presented to Dr. Janann Sherman, history professor at U of M," said event planner Dabney Roberts. "The awards will be presented to Memphis and Shelby County women who have shown high achievements in the seven categories."
Sherman is the author of The Perfect 36: Tennessee Delivers Woman Suffrage, a book detailing how Tennessee was the only state to vote perfectly for the amendment that gave women the right to vote.
"Tennessee was the first state that voted fully for the amendment," Sherman said. "My book was printed and given to every library in the state -- free of charge."
Sherman, who has a doctorate from Rutgers University, is a specialist in twentieth century U.S. political and social issues involving women.
"My passion is giving people back their history," Sherman said. "I do this as a job and during my spare time."
The traits for a "vision" winner include sensitivity toward women's issues and a goal of seeing women achieve in all areas of life.
The Women of Achievement Awards were founded in 1984.
Musician Cordell Jackson, the first female recording engineer in the country, is also being honored.
Each year, International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 by women's groups around the world, according to the official International Women's Day Website.
This date is also recognized and honored by the United Nations as a world holiday.
The first National Women's Day was observed across the United States on Feb. 28, 1909.
It was proposed in 1910 by the Socialist Party of America , that Women's Day should be established on an international scale to honor the movement for women's rights and universal suffrage.
The proposal was approved by over 100 women from 17 countries.
Other events in Memphis to celebrate International Women's Day include the Southern Women's Show, March 22 through 25 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
The show will run from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.
Tickets are $7, and discount advance tickets are on sale at Memphis-area Seessel's.
Roberts said tickets to the "Women of Achievement Awards" could be purchased in advance by calling her at 725-8708.
"The awards banquet will be fun," Roberts said. "It is interesting to see what other women have accomplished. Everyone is welcome!"
