National Old Maids Day 2023: The celebration of National Old Maids Day on June 4 brings attention to unmarried and orphaned women over the typical age of marriage. Initially, the term ‘old maid’ was deemed derogatory because it was used to ridicule unmarried, childless women. In the past, people held rigid views regarding the roles a woman should play in shaping society and the future. Due to such societal expectations, unmarried and childless women faced challenging circumstances. However, as time passed and circumstances changed, the term ‘elder maid’ took on a much more positive connotation. Today, women who have chosen to concentrate on themselves as individuals are honoured.
National Old Maids Day 2023: History
In 1948, the first National Old Maids Day was observed. Marion Richards received the idea for the day from Jeffersonville. With the conclusion of World War II, sixteen million soldiers were returning home. Due to the war, many marriages and relationships were placed on hold, but their return marked a new beginning. After World War II, the United States saw some of the highest marriage rates ever recorded. While it was certainly a cause for jubilant celebrations, many women were left single because their wartime sweethearts had not returned. 420,000 American soldiers out of 16 million never returned. Marion Richards honoured these women who never married because they were waiting for their partners to return (but they never did). Richards hosted the first Old Maids gathering where the contributions of unmarried and infertile women to churches, schools, hospitals, offices, and society as a whole were acknowledged and celebrated.
In the twenty-first century, women’s decisions to pursue careers and self-improvement over having a spouse and children are viewed with considerably less disapproval. Nevertheless, many women continue to endure prejudice and social stigma if they do not marry and have children “on time.” Consequently, women are more likely than males to start a family. National Old Maids Day, however, refuses to submit women to such expectations. Instead, the emphasis is placed on living a life of free will that is rich in extraordinary alliances, travels, and adventures.
The Big Lunch 2023 (UK): Date, History, Significance, Activities, Facts
Five facts about spinsters that will astound you
A recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize was a spinster.
Jane Addams was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize; she was a housekeeper.
Chanel was a single woman.
Gabrielle Bonheur, also known as Coco Chanel, was a well-known French fashion designer, entrepreneur, and recluse.
Married mothers opposed their daughters’ marriage.
In a 1962 survey, the majority of married women reported being content, but only 10% wished for their daughters to emulate them.
Old ladies established the first union of working women.
The majority of the Massachusetts factory workers were single, unmarried women who formed the first significant women’s labour union.
Women without spouses were executed as ‘witches’
Three-quarters of the many women who were accused of witchcraft and executed between 1450 and 1750 were widows over the age of 50.
National Old Maids Day 2023: Significance
Born into a patriarchal and misogynistic society, women face innumerable obstacles. Their resiliency in the face of this injustice and societal pressures has enabled them to live according to their own will. We should honour and respect them for teaching us to never give up.
National Old Maids Day was created to honour the contributions of all old women to the society in which they resided. Even though they were grieving the loss of their significant others to the conflict, they continued to serve society and live as best they could.
To exist is to resist, and this phrase is the response to those who believe that the sole purpose of a woman’s existence is to get married, have children, and build society. Like men, women have the freedom to simply exist without the labels of marriage and parenthood.
National Old Maids Day 2023: Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 4 | Sunday |
| 2024 | June 4 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | June 4 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | June 4 | Thursday |
| 2027 | June 4 | Friday |
