International Singles’ Day is a celebration of choice and independence. It's a tribute to the women who have broken free from the shackles of history and embraced the power to define their lives on their own terms. We have the freedom to be single thanks to the massive steps our foremothers made in the past.
As a women-founded company built upon uplifting and empowering women, this day is meaningful to us. Singlehood is a privilege and a testament to the progress we've made as a society.
So, to all the single ladies, raise your heads high, celebrate your brilliance, and continue on the path of self-love and empowerment. The world is yours to conquer, and your happiness is your own to define.
Let's explore why being single is so special and how it empowers women in numerous ways.
A Glimpse into History
Historically, women have faced significant limitations. Their access to education, employment, and fundamental rights like voting, owning land, and even signing contracts were restricted. This economic disempowerment left women with few options for survival, with marriage often the only viable path.
Traditional gender roles and societal expectations confined women to the domestic sphere, where their primary roles revolved around being wives and mothers. These deeply ingrained cultural norms reinforced the idea that a woman's ultimate purpose was marriage, procreation, and household management. They were, and often still are, portrayed as dependent beings.
This scenario was a stark contrast to the freedoms and choices that women enjoy today. And this, ladies, is evolution! In the contemporary world, many of us have the privilege to choose singlehood. In 1960, 60% of women were married by age 29. Today, only 20% of women are married by then. In 2021, there were 118 million single adults in the United States, with 52% being women. If we get married at all, it’s much later, and no matter the decision, it’s on our own terms. The rise of unmarried women reframes society’s expectations of women— their identities, purpose, and place within the family structure and workforce.
Single is more than a relationship status; it is an empowering state of independence. It offers individuals the freedom to prioritize personal growth, focus on their careers, and embark on journeys of self-discovery without the constraints or compromises often associated with romantic relationships.
Single women are often more likely to be financially independent, have higher levels of education, and hold leadership positions in their careers. They are also more likely to be involved in their communities and volunteer their time for causes they care about.
Being financially independent liberates women from the shackles of traditional gender roles and societal expectations. Single women in the United States are now considered among the most powerful political forces. Thanks to women seeking lives outside the confines of marriage, we've seen significant advances made in terms of pay equity, affordable health care, higher minimum wage, universal pre-K, reproductive rights, and paid family leave. While we have not achieved true equality, single women are leading the charge to make the world more just.
Famous Single Women
While there are undoubtedly famous single women in history, such as Queen Elizabeth I, Jane Austen, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Goodall, and Coco Chanel, with the increasing acceptance of women remaining unmarried, there are more famous single women than ever! Check out this list of absolute powerhouses: Charlize Theron, Mindy Kaling, Diane Keaton, Cher, Sharon Stone, Grace Jones, Stacey Abrams, Stevie Nicks, Katharine Hepburn, Drew Barrymore, Chelsea Handler, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
Clearly, there is excellent company in the world of single women. And the population is growing! It’s predicted that by 2030, 45% of women aged 25–44 will be single. Every day, women prove that achieving happiness and fulfillment is possible without a traditional family structure.
The Responsibility
With this liberation comes responsibility. Although progress has been made, many of our sisters around the world still do not have the freedom to choose to be single. Fighting for women's rights and ensuring girls' education and control over their reproductive rights is crucial for fostering gender equality and empowering women to choose their own paths in life. Education equips girls with the knowledge and skills to access meaningful employment, earn money, and achieve sustainable independence.
The barriers facing true gender equality— social, political, cultural, and economic— are vastly greater for poor women in geographical areas of conflict. In those regions, forced marriage and the marriage of underage girls are much more common, along with many other issues, including domestic violence, extreme poverty, and higher rates of gender-based violence. Diamond and gold mining has destabilized huge regions, so we focus our foundation’s efforts in those regions and with those communities. The women there are near and dear to our hearts.
Here in America, there are still significant restrictions upon women— the right to govern their own bodies, gender, racial, and orientation-based pay disparities and discrimination, lack of paid maternity and family leave, affordable housing, skyrocketing dependent care costs, access to necessary health care, and more. We clearly have so much further to go.
It’s been statistically proven that when society invests in women, there is more food, more peace and stability, stronger families, and a richer country. When these needs are met, women do not have to rely upon marriage for survival. By advocating for women’s rights and educational opportunities, we break down those barriers and affirm that every woman has the right to shape her destiny.
Actions to Take
Treat yourself! Buy yourself your own diamond ring. You are in a loving, committed relationship with yourself, which deserves all the celebrating! Plus? Every purchase empowers women in communities that the diamond and gold mining industries have ravaged. Celebrate yourself while lifting up other women.
Support political movements, measures, organizations, and politicians prioritizing intersectional women’s rights. Here are some places to start: Women for Women International, Planned Parenthood, Global Fund for Women, National Organization for Women.
Celebrate with your single friends. Whether going out for dinner and dancing, a spa day, a gorgeous hike, volunteering together, wine tasting, or a grown-up slumber party, any option is a fabulous excuse to come together and revel in your independence.
Do whatever you want! This day is all about you and answering to no one else. Try out a fancy new restaurant, browse a bookstore for hours, binge-watch a show with all your favorite snacks, or try something adventurous like skydiving, rock climbing, or white water rafting. Follow your heart and have the best day doing exactly what you want.
Celebrate How Far We’ve Come
On International Singles’ Day, we raise our glasses to the countless remarkable single women around the world. Today, we celebrate the liberation to choose singlehood, an independence that many women throughout history and even today continue to strive for. In an age where women have shattered the confines of traditional roles and norms, the power to choose singlehood is a testament to the progress we've made. Cheers, ladies!
