60th Anniversary of Women's March

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In 1956, tens of thousands of women from across South Africa stood quietly at the foot of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Their mission: to hand-deliver a document to JG Strijdom, the country’s Prime Minister, demanding women remain exempt from the government’s discriminatory pass laws.

But when they reached their destination, the Prime Minister wasn’t there. No one would be welcoming them into South Africa’s halls of power.

Unfazed, the women waited in silence. After 30 minutes that shook history, the group burst into song. Cries of “wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo!” (heard today as “you strike a woman, you strike a rock!") filled the air. This defiant hymn embodied the freedom and equality the group sought - and it marked a starting point for a movement that would march on for years to come.

Today’s Doodle celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Women Union Buildings March and the courage and bravery of its participants, supporters, and leaders. Your steps toward justice will never be forgotten.