WASHINGTON, DC  –  The Washington Oxi Day Foundation released the following statement on the occasion of International Women’s Day – March 8, 2014.

The Washington Oxi Day Foundation joins people around the world in honoring women and celebrating the tremendous role they have played in building a more just, free and democratic world.

On this special day, we celebrate and draw inspiration from the many women who have said “Oxi” to tyranny and oppression and “Yes” to the cause of freedom and democracy. This includes women like 2011 Battle of Crete Award recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, who has committed her life to bringing democracy to the nation of Burma; 2012 award recipient Dr. Fouzia Saeed, who has spent four decades improving the lives of women in Pakistan; and 2013 recipient Berta Soler, who risked persecution and death to further human rights and political freedom in Cuba. These women remind us that the quest for freedom and democracy is as genderless as it is ceaseless.

We also celebrate the contributions and achievements of women of the past, including the women who inspired our Foundation’s Battle of Crete Award. The women of Crete demonstrated tremendous bravery in joining the civilian counterattack against the invading Nazi Forces in the World War II Battle of Crete. The Nazis expected Crete to quickly fall since only a few Allied troops remained on the island. However, they failed to anticipate the strong resistance of the Cretan people, including Cretan women, who grabbed farm implements or whatever makeshift weapons they could find in their homes and joined the fight against the invading forces. In reprisal for their bravery: in battle; in hiding and caring for wounded fighters; in smuggling arms and messages when they knew that discovery meant certain death; nearly 1,000 Cretan women were killed and an additional 500 women were deported to Germany for taking part in the defense of their island. [Click here to view a video on their story.]

The Washington Oxi Day Foundation is proud to have the opportunity to educate Americans about the heroic actions of the women of Crete and to honor annually a courageous female leader who carries on their legacy.

To the billions of women, both past and present, who have championed the cause of freedom and democracy – today and every day, we thank you.