International Women’s Day 2017

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Michael Hepworth

By Beata Pozniak Daniels

HOLLYWOOD (Perfect Music Today) 2/7/17/–On March 8th people who are separated by nationalities, races and economic differences will come together to celebrate International Women’s Day. It is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights.

As a young girl growing up in Poland, I vividly recall newscasts chronicling the amazing events on International Women’s Day that took place all over Europe. It was inspiring for me to see examples of historic achievements by women as they struggled for equality and justice at all levels of society. Later on, when I left the communist system of Poland and came to America, I was surprised to discover how little awareness there was in this country of International Women’s Day as a powerful symbol of women’s history.

To commemorate this special day I made a painting inspired by Mnemosyne, the Mother of Memory, that explores where we have been and what we can become. It is a symbol of International Women’s Day depicting a community of all races of the world in a female form. It evokes the achievements of women through their struggle for peace and equality in the face of discrimination and war.

In the late 1980’s I dedicated myself to making International Women’s Day an official day of celebration in the United States. I was able to convince then Mayor Tom Bradley to proclaim it an official day of celebration in Los Angeles and Governor Pete Wilson soon did the same for the State of California. I eventually enrolled Congresswoman Maxine Waters as an ally in my quest. This led directly in 1994 to Congresswoman Waters’ introduction into the U.S. Congress of H.J.R 316. It was the first bill in the history of the US Congress for political recognition of International Women’s Day as an official day of celebration in the United States. Since that time, it has been an enormous source of satisfaction for me to see the growth of interest within the U.S. in this tremendously significant celebration.

Today it is easy to forget that less than one hundred years ago women around the world were not allowed to join a union, to get a college degree or to hold a library card. At that time the right to vote was still a distant dream for most women. While New Zealand was the first country ever to give women the right to vote in 1893, most countries did not recognize the political voice of a woman until decades later: Holland in 1917, Great Britain in 1918, France in 1944, Italy and Japan in 1945, and Switzerland not until 1971. In the United States, universal women’s suffrage didn’t become law until 1920.

This day honors the important work of women as pioneers in political activism, in social reforms, in the arts, and in their communities. It is a day to celebrate ordinary women doing extraordinary work, and offers us a chance to pay homage to these women who are creating a better world for all of us. We also mark this day to reexamine contemporary mainstream media accounts of male-dominated governments and corporations. International Women’s Day reminds us that women have fought for, and won, better educational opportunities and have also secured legislation to ensure control of our earnings, property, employment rights, and suffrage.

While there have been many victories for women’s rights over the past century, there is still much to be done. Women are still denied equal pay for equal work and are still underrepresented in government and industry. They are still struggling to control their reproductive destinies, and in many cultures are still regarded as chattel property. In a world where domestic violence is still pervasive, we are reminded that this day must not only be about celebration, but also about awareness and education. For everyone, men and women alike, awareness and education are the keys to ending violence against women and ensuring equal rights and opportunities.

The idea for International Women’s Day was born at a conference in Copenhagen in 1910. It sought to raise international awareness of the connection between all women and to bring attention to the cultural, social, and economic diversity of our lives. Now it has grown into a truly international celebration that gives voice to the remarkable women who have come before us and who paved the way for the future achievements of our daughters and granddaughters. This day, March 8th, honors all that we have been, all that we are, and all that we will become.

Happy International Women’s Day!

In the days of the Renaissance, famous historical figures were masters of many fields. These people painted works of art while they simultaneously developed mathematical theories and made monumental scientific discoveries. Today, most of us aspire to make a significant contribution through becoming knowledgeable in one area of study. Seldom do you come across a modern day Renaissance person. Finding a woman who has established herself in a variety of areas is even rarer.

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Recently, however, I have had the privilege of encountering Beata Pozniak-Daniels, who can only be described as a Renaissance woman. Beata is an actress, who had appeared in over twenty foreign films before coming to America. Upon arriving in the states, she was chosen for a leading role in Oliver Stone’s film, JFK, and has since appeared in the Young Indiana Jones series, Babylon Five, and Melrose Place. With her paintings and sculptures widely displayed and collected, Beata has established herself as an artist. Beata is a dramatist, with formal training and an MFA from the Film, Television, and Theater University in Lodz, Poland, her native country. The dramatic and poetic skills she acquired in Lodz collided when she wrote and directed Theater Discordia. A winner of championship metals, Beata has competed in speed skating, judo, karate, fencing, and running. Beata is also an activist who works tirelessly for women’s issues, and is personally responsible for making International Women’s Day a national holiday in the United States.

Beata’s many undertakings consume much of her energy. Many would think it impossible for her to take on anything else. Beata, however, has recently been endowed with a new challenge: motherhood. She explains the shift that has occurred in her life. “Right now quite frankly a big part of my energy by Beata Pozniak goes into my family and taking care of my two and a half year old son who is a huge inspiration for all my other interests.”
Beata does not let her many endeavors weigh her down. Instead, her vision of life is dominated by a positive outlook. She says, “The way I design my life is like a tree … one branch is painting, one is writing, another activism, and so on. Overall its one tree, one person. Now and then a new branch comes to life with a new possibility, a new expression of who you are. I’m interested in how far I can go. I am inspired by human potential.”

Beata’s faith in human potential and the worth inherent in each individual has led her to become anactivist for women. Women, especially those from foreign countries, are too often forgotten and ignored. Beata became aware of the invisibility of women when she immigrated to America. She says, “I came from communist Poland with excitement for my dream of freedom at the age of twenty-five. I very much wanted to find powerful female role models who had also immigrated. I soon discovered that all of the great names were men like Carnegie, Einstein, and Taper. It was a challenge to find known immigrant women.”

Beata decided to address this discrepancy with a political campaign aimed at raising the visibility ofwomen through a national holiday: International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day has been celebrated around the world every March 8th since it’s beginning in Denmark over eighty years ago. Beata decided it was time for America to formally recognize the contributions of women.

Mother Bosnia

Beata’s quest to make International Women’s Day a holiday was not easy. She describes the obstacles she encountered. “I wrote many letters and made many telephone calls. I ran into a lot of bureaucracy, politics, and back turning.” However, this did not deter Beata from her goal. She says, “I gained strength from what Mahatma Gandhi said, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”.” With help from Congresswoman Maxine Waters the bill was passed by President Clinton and on March 8, 1994 women were honored on America’s first International Women’s Day.

Beata, being an actress, was able to solicit help from Hollywood, “a very powerful community”, in raising awareness of women’s issues through International Women’s Day. She says, “I brought stars like Stevie Wonder and Diane Lane to the event to help focus people’s attention on the real heroes,

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such as Stephania Burzminski who risked her life to save many Jews in Poland during the war, or Rose Freedman who survived the Triangle Shirt factory fire in New York that began the union movement in America. I was often horrified, shocked, and then inspired by how these women overcame obstacles.”

Beata’s connection with the Hollywood community has raised awareness for International Women’s Day, and therefore the women’s issues that are addressed at this event. Beata says encouragingly, “I still get many letters from colleges and different ethnic groups around the world that are inspired and want to bring the idea to their community.” With all of this progress, Beata “hopes that one day there won’t be a need for a “Women’s Day”. She continues, “Women and men will celebrate and honor each other equally. Maybe we will just celebrate a “People’s Day”.”

Because we have not yet reached the type of equality Beata hopes for, “[she] will continue to be a

Mnemosyne

strong advocate for a woman’s voice.” She lists some of the issues on which she is currently concentrating her efforts. “In the US, it still surprises me that California is the only state that has a family leave policy. Every other civilized country in the world has it. In other countries there are so many issues crying for attention including: 1) the right to vote (just last year Kuwait’s cabinet approved the first bill giving women the right to vote, but still has not ratified it), 2) forced abortions in China, 3) female genital mutilation, 4) Taliban, 5) marriages with more than one wife (often without consent from the wives), 6) picture brides (fathers marry off their very young daughters), and 7) divorces that can only arise from the will of the husband in countries such as Algeria.”

One might think that the emphasis on beauty, glamour, and fame found in Hollywood would conflict with the feminist beliefs and ideals that Beata has tried to conquer with her activism. She explains how she is effectively involved in both spheres. “Hollywood poses special challenges because the stories and roles often do not depict women in a truly liberated fashion. However, in my own modest way I have tried to portray women who have strong voices like Irene in “The Young Indiana Jones” series who tries to overthrow the Russian Government in 1917, or the first female president of the world on “Babylon 5”. Even Marina Oswald in “JFK” was a woman struggling to be heard.”
by Beata Pozniak
The issues Beata addresses through her acting and activism can also be found in her artwork. She escribes the themes and focus of her work. “Surrealism is a lens through which I view many of the events and circumstances occurring in the world today. Whether it is the horrors of war or inspirational insights found in ancient mythology, I am constantly exploring fantastical juxtapositions that express something about the experience of being a woman. That is why my paintings and sculptures are often surreal and full of symbolism. Feministic, poetical, and political.”

In her search to find a positive immigrant female role model, Beata created one in herself. This modern day Renaissance woman embodies the strength, ingenuity, and compassion which shines through the selfless work she has done and continues to do. Her work will serve as inspiration for future generations and will attest to the absolute equality and ability of women to succeed in any endeavor they decide to undertake.

Birth to Film

Follow Beata Pozniak on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BeataPozniak

Beata is best known for her portrayal of Marina Oswald in Oliver Stone’s “JFK.” This role led to over 30 film and television projects internationally, including the starring role as the first female president of the world on “Babylon 5”, and a fiery revolutionary in George Lucas’ “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.” Beata was the recipient of the Croatian Heart Award (with Michael York and John Savage) for her heartfelt performance in the film “Freedom From Despair”, as well as for her dedication to humanitarian causes. She works extensively advocating for human rights and women’s issues. In 1994 Pozniak spearheaded the introduction of the first bill in the history of the U.S. Congress (H.J. Res. 316) to recognize International Women’s Day in the United States. She also received official recognition from the Los Angeles City Council, which commended her for her efforts in establishing International Women’s Day as a day to be celebrated in the United States. Pozniak received special recognition from Mayor Richard Riordan for her vision in creating International Women’s Day, and from Mayor Tom Bradley for bringing the idea to Los Angeles. To commemorate the introduction of the first bill, she painted “Mnemosyne – International Women’s Day” – an art piece that celebrates and depicts a community of all races of the world in a female form. It evokes the achievements of women along their struggle for peace and equality in the face of discrimination and war. Pozniak’s artwork has been widely exhibited and was selected to be part of the international “Art & Democracy” show at The Bergamot Station along with artists from around the world, including author, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Liu Xiaobo. Her work was acquired by the Cedar’s Sinai Art Council. She often uses her artwork in experimental films created by her. Inspired by Nietzsche’s observation that “out of chaos comes order,” Pozniak founded Discordia Productions to write, direct and stage performance art shows that have been a part of the Los Angeles arts scene for more than two decades, including “Poeticus Umbilicus,” “Poetry Discordia” and “Return of Umbilicus.” Beata has also created multimedia experimental film projects, notably “Mnemosyne” based on her Women’s Day art piece and the recently acclaimed short film “People on the Bridge,” based on a Nobel Prize winning poem, which she produced and also narrated. She describes these works as “visual journeys of the human race that explore where we have been and what we can become.” She narrated a #1 bestselling book “The Winter Palace; a Novel of Catherine the Great”, a 19 hour audiobook for Penguin Random House Audio. A compilation of short stories “The Tsar of Love and Techno” was rated in the Top Five audiobooks of the year by Washington Post. Beata frequently sits on judging panels for the Television Academy Primetime Emmy Awards and has been a presenter for the IFP (Independent Feature Project West) “Independent Spirit Awards,” and the “Annual Women’s Leadership Awards” for the National Women’s Political Caucus of California. She was privileged to present a posthumous award to Audrey Hepburn at the Human Rights Film Festival, supported by the United Nations. Pozniak is also a former Chair of Women in Film International. She has been reappointed by the president of SAG-AFTRA to serve on the Women’s Committee.

Michael Hepworth

287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211