BROOKLYN, March 8 — Led by the Progressive Labor Party (PLP), more than 130 people packed into a community space in Brooklyn to celebrate International Working Women’s Day, bringing together a multiracial, multigenerational crowd of workers, students, families, and comrades. The room was full—of conversation, laughter, political struggle, and a shared sense that this fight is growing.

We noshed on Palestinian and Dominican food, reflecting the international character of our class. Eating together, connecting across generations. It wasn’t just a celebration—it was a space to build relationships and strengthen the political clarity needed for the fights ahead.

At the center of the event was a speech grounding the day in its revolutionary roots. “We are here for a communist celebration of March 8th,” the speaker said, “where we recognize the crucial role that women have played in the fight against capitalism.” The message was clear: this is not a symbolic holiday, but part of a long history of working-class struggle led by women.

Women’s leadership is central to the fight

The speech highlighted how women have always been at the forefront of revolutionary change—from literacy campaigns in post-revolutionary Cuba to struggles led by women of color within PLP. “It will be leadership from women, specifically Black and brown women, that will liberate ourselves from capitalism’s chains,” the speaker said, drawing a direct line between past struggles and the fights we are building today.

That line carried through the event. A new comrade spoke about why she joined the Party, describing how she came to see individual success under capitalism as a dead end, and that only collective struggle offers a real future. She challenged others in the room to take that same step—not just to agree, but to organize.

Two comrades fresh from their recent participation in the general strike in Minnesota, where workers took action against growing ICE terror connected the local to the national, showing that the working-class is ready to defend their class sisters and brothers.

Fighting sexism means fighting capitalism

Throughout the event, there was sharp clarity about the roots of women’s oppression. As the main speech laid out, sexism is not accidental—it is built into capitalism itself. Women’s unpaid domestic labor, wage gaps, and vulnerability to violence all serve a system that depends on exploitation and division.

PLP’s politics were central here: that the fight against sexism cannot be separated from the fight against capitalism. A communist society, as described in the speech, would eliminate the profit motive that drives inequality and create the conditions to collectively confront and eliminate gender-based oppression.

That understanding shaped the tone of the day. This wasn’t about representation or reform—it was about revolution. About building a movement where women are not just included, but leading.

An international struggle with deep roots

The event also emphasized that this struggle is global. From organizing against ICE raids in Brooklyn to women forming committees against sexual violence in Sudan, from the Darien Gap to the West Bank, the fight against sexism and capitalism crosses every border.
“Our revolutionary struggle must be as ignorant to borders as sexism and racism are,” the speaker said.
That internationalism was reflected not just in the words, but in the room itself—in the mix of cultures, languages, and experiences brought together in one place. It’s a reminder that the working class is one, even as the system tries to divide us.

Growing something stronger

By the end of the event, it was clear that this wasn’t just a celebration—it was part of something building. People stayed after, exchanging numbers, talking politics, making plans. The connections felt real.

One idea from the speech stuck with many: that while capitalism may try to cut movements down, “our roots are alive and well, deepening with each action.” Every rally, every conversation, every new person stepping forward strengthens those roots. This event was one of those moments.

As we look ahead to May Day and beyond, the task is clear. Keep organizing. Keep building. Keep developing the leadership of women across our class.

The roots are there. And they’re growing.