On each International Women's Day, the media celebrates the image of the woman of the 2020s: the career woman, the ultimate mother, and the one who managed to conquer every niche in the "world of men". It can be the first woman who became a fighter pilot in the IDF, the first Ethiopian woman who was promoted to the rank of a colonel, and a variety of other roles that women have managed to achieve in previously male-dominated territories. The International Women's Day is also an important opportunity to discuss the many hardships that women still have to endure in 2020s, such as harassments and violence.
The strong woman's image has changed drastically over the years. In today's society, food can be ordered with a click and work in agricultural field is performed by sophisticated machines. But not too long ago, determined women have operated machinery and worked alongside men in building the state of Israel.
Israel's early years shaped the image of the Israeli woman. Many women joined the demanding physical works needed in the young state. These women followed the pioneering women who came to Israel in the early 20th century, who began changing the status of women in society. One such woman, Tehia Liberson, wrote, "Unknowingly, I have given the women of the Second Aliyah the aspiration for equality in work between men and women… while my aspirations weren't as exaggerated as those of future women who followed, and wanted to be like men in work and security duties and even in their short hair and clothing…". Nevertheless, the photographs prove that a new woman has indeed rose up in Israel!
The photographs show women working in factories, in the fields, holding tools and weapons. They pick grapes and plant gardens. They also joined that Women's Corps in Israel's young army, and aided in fighting.
While there was still a long way to go until full equal rights were achieved for the women of Israel, it is important to remember that before the Israeli woman was a great entrepreneur and CEO, she was an Israeli pioneer.