The university celebrated the International Women’s Day Celebration Wednesday in the ICC Swig Lounge. Students, parents and faculty dined on Russian food and watched several performances, varying from recitations of poetry to traditional Russian folk dances.

Though the holiday originated in the former Soviet Union, it is now annually celebrated on an international basis.

Julia Rabkin ’11, President of the Russian Club, and Diana Aronin ’11, acted as emcees and hosted the event.

The celebration was also a fundraiser for the Adamov Fund, a non-profit organization that helps talented blind youth in Russia. Each audience member was encouraged to donate a minimum of three dollars to help raise money for equipment such as sturdy canes, used computers and Braille materials.

This, the third consecutive year of the International Women’s Day Celebration, was its most successful event yet. Women were honored specifically at the end of the festivities when each woman in attendance was offered a rose as a symbol of beauty.

By Morgana Russino, Staff