KURATED NO. 268
IWD: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
CONTENTS
PLAYLIST
31 Songs on Spotify and YouTube
31-SONG TRACKLIST
Songs and artists
A recent IWD march in Vancouver.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2006
The struggle continues
Not that long ago we wished each other Happy International Women’s Day on March 8. But the current pitched and polarized political landscape has spawned a valid sense of urgency on upholding gender rights. Misognynist rapist Donald Trump has emboldened conservative forces playing a central role in the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. The legislation had guaranteed women the right to an abortion. Quashing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) mandates in government and corporations is one of many factors that negatively affect women.
Passive celebration is being replaced by action to fight back. U.S. Democratic representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of many feminist activists playing a role. “Reproductive freedom is an inviolable and inalienable right to all people, period.” she says. “Abortion bans aren’t just about controlling women’s bodies. They’re about controlling women’s sexuality. Owning women … I will not accept women and the lives of women as some political cost.”
Women in music play a role
Women musicians have long played a role in fighting against racism and sexism.
The always articulate and forthright Annie Lennox explains her role and duty: “I stand on the shoulders of giants that have gone before me, in terms of affording people like myself, women, the access to democracy, the vote, medical treatment, education, everything that I’ve been given. It’s all been earned. Therefore I feel it’s incumbent on me personally to just contribute something, to add to a collective voice that needs to be here right now, to build it up to a tipping point, to make the world aware that women’s rights still have to be addressed and that the word ‘feminism’ has been devalued and needs to be reclaimed.”
Many other musicans have done their part including Nina Simone, Joan Baez, Billy Holiday, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Mavis Staples and Peggy Seeger. More recently there’s Sarah McLachlan, Rita MacNeil, Ferron, Carol Pope, Riot Grrrl Kathleen Hanna, Tegan and Sara and Tanya Tagaq.
The list of musicians on today’s playlist include Allison Russell, Cat Power, Amy Winehouse, Maia Davies, Ani Difranco, Ellen McIlwaine, Appalachia Rising, Taylor Swift, Angie MacMahon, Elisapie, Anoushka Shankar, Amethyst Kiah, Hannah Georgas, Cynthia Erivo, Margaret Glaspy and more.
08 March 2026
31-song Track List
