GIVE HER, HER FLOWERS: A HISTORY OF BLOSSOMS AND VICTORY

Words by Lucinda Dordley | Images: Supplied

As a society, we have used flowers as a way to express congratulations, compassion and adoration since ancient times.

Women’s Month is a celebration of the contributions women have made throughout history, and adidas and Superbalist are uniting to shine a light on the formidable force that is the feminine with empowering style.

During the height of the Roman Empire - around AD 117 - garlands and bouquets were given to generals and gladiators who were successful in combat. The association between victory, celebration and flowers really began to solidify in the public consciousness when the Olympic Games were reinstated during the late 19th century. Winners were given olive branches and grandiose wreaths, and this tradition still continues today.

The ancient Greeks started the tradition of awarding the winner of a sports event with a palm branch. This eventually morphed into garlands, wreaths and bouquets of flowers. The Greeks, however, are not the only ancient society that used flowers to reward victors.

South Africa celebrates Women’s Month during August, with Women’s Day taking place on 9 August. This period not only commemorates the resilience of women, but also the contribution they have made to better South African society as a whole.

In 1956, more than 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to hand over a petition with approximately 100 000 signatures. The petition was an act of protest against the Population Registration Act, a law that maintained racial segregation during Apartheid.

The march was led by a multi-racial group of trailblazers, including Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn. This showcased not only a desire for the rainbow nation South Africa would later become, but also demonstrated that women are stronger when banding together.

This historic march proved that South African women are not only the cornerstones of communities, but are a force to be reckoned with when working together; a force that can affect change. These women walked so that the generations that followed could run.

In 2024, women still face biases in many areas. From politics to business, community-making to sport, women are underestimated and face more scrutiny than their male counterparts in the same industries.

Adidas is one of the world’s biggest brands, and has made sure to champion not only women, but women from diverse cultural backgrounds. The brand highlights the stories of women not only to display their excellence in their respective fields, but also to highlight the dedication, perseverance, and sheer self-belief it takes for women to achieve what they set their minds to.

The brand believes “nothing is impossible”, and this Women’s Month, pay homage to the women who did the impossible to ensure others could not only dream big, but bring those dreams to reality.

The symbol of flowers feels fitting when highlighting the strength of women - behind the delicate beauty of a blossom lives an immeasurable will to grow; in fact, not only to grow, but to flower.