International Women's Day March 8

The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. Protected content

One of the potentialities hidden in the realm of humanity was the capability or capacity of womanhood. Through the effulgent rays of divine illumination the capacity of woman has become so awakened and manifest in this age that equality of man and woman is an established fact.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 76)

The happiness of mankind will be realized when women and men coordinate and advance equally, for each is the complement and helpmeet of the other.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. Protected content

The woman is indeed of the greater importance to the race. She has the greater burden and the greater work.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, p. Protected content

Women have equal rights with men upon earth; in religion and society they are a very important element. As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. Protected content

The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace. The denial of such equality perpetuates an injustice against one half of the world’s population and promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that are carried from the family to the workplace, to political life, and ultimately to international relations. There are no grounds, moral, practical, or biological, upon which such denial can be justified. Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge.
(Universal House of Justice, To the Peoples of the World, A Bahá’í Statement on Peace)

His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh has greatly strengthened the cause of women, and the rights and privileges of women is one of the greatest principles of Abdu’lBahá. Rest ye assured! Ere long the days shall come when the men addressing the women, shall say: ‘Blessed are ye! Blessed are ye! Verily ye are worthy of every gift. Verily ye deserve to adorn your heads with the crown of everlasting glory, because in sciences and arts, in virtues and perfections ye shall become equal to man, and as regards tenderness of heart and the abundance of mercy and sympathy ye are superior‘.
(Abdu’lBahá, Paris Talks, p. Protected content

To the women of the BLESSED ARE YE! BLESSED ARE YE!