International Women’s Day: The Invisible Work Women Do Every Day + How to Say Thank You

On International Women’s Day, we talk a lot about achievements: the promotions, the leaders, the glass ceilings shattered – and, yes, that matters. But there’s another kind of work that rarely makes headlines.

The work that doesn’t come with a title, a bonus or even just a thank you:

The school volunteers.

The committee organizers.

The “just checking in” texters.

The ones who remember birthdays, organize gifts, smooth over conflicts, make sure everyone feels included – they’re the community glue.

So much of it is done thanklessly, and so much of it is done by women.

The Invisible Load

Women carry a disproportionate share of unpaid labour – both at home and in the community. From caregiving and household management to volunteering and emotional support, much of this work happens behind the scenes.

No, it’s not just in your head – we’ve got the stats to back it up. According to UN Women, women carry out nearly three times as much unpaid care and domestic work as men worldwide, while OECD data shows women spend significantly more hours per week on caregiving, household management and community volunteering – work that often goes unmeasured and uncompensated. Researchers have actually put a number on all that unpaid work – 427 billion US dollars every year. 

Yes, you read that right. Go back and read it again if you’re still in shock. It’s the physical labour, the emotional labour, the calendar management, the mental lists, the community care and family support, the “I’ve got this one” – it’s leadership without a spotlight.

International Women’s Day shouldn’t be the only day we say thank you – but it offers a good opportunity to do something.

A Small Thank You Goes a Long Way

Sometimes it’s the small moments of recognition that are the most powerful, yet so many people psych themselves out of doing something for fear it won’t be grand enough. But here’s where they’re wrong – studies have found that simple, personal acknowledgements, especially when they name a specific action, increase feelings of being valued more than large but impersonal rewards. The Spark Notes edition: it’s not the size of the gesture that moves us most – it’s the sincerity. 

This International Women’s Day, Who Will You Thank?

It might be:

• The colleague who holds your team together
• A manager who leads with empathy
• A friend who carries more than she shows
• A volunteer who gives her time freely
• A mother. A sister. A mentor. A teammate.

You don’t need the perfect words – you just need to start.

And too often, the women doing the most get the least recognition – they’re probably also the ones planning to recognize others in their lives. You’re thinking of someone aren’t you? You know who these women are, so don’t let their efforts go unnoticed. 

What to Write on a Thank You Card for International Women’s Day

So you’ve got your Thank You card ready but the words of wisdom won’t flow – don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Try these lines: 

From a Friend or Neighbor

This is about appreciation, admiration and shared history – keep it light but warm. 

Examples:

• Thank you for being the steady, strong, generous woman you are – not just today, but every day.
• I see how much you give to everyone around you. I just wanted you to know that I notice it and respect that about you.
• You carry more than most people realize – and you do it with grace (and humor). I’m lucky to know you.
• Thank you for the advice, the check-ins, the late-night talks and the fierce loyalty.
• Thank you for being the glue that keeps us together – you’re the Monica to our friend group.

If you can, name something specific:

• “Thank you for always being the one who checks in.”
• “Thank you for organising everything and pretending it’s no big deal.”

From Family

Here, it’s about recognising invisible labour and everyday love.

Examples:

• Thank you for everything you do that no one sees – and everything you do that holds us together.
• The care, the planning, the remembering, the loving – it matters more than you know.
• Our family works because of you.
• Thank you for your strength, your patience and the way you show up for us every single day.

If it’s for a mom, sister, partner, aunt, grandmother – don’t underestimate simple honesty:

• “I don’t say this enough, but thank you.”

Sometimes that lands the hardest.

From the Workplace + the Community

In professional settings and community organizations, appreciation should be specific, respectful and genuine – not tokenistic.

Examples:

• Thank you for the leadership and empathy you bring to this team. It makes a real difference.
• The work you do strengthens our culture every day.
• We’re grateful not just for what you achieve, but how you achieve it.
• Your mentorship, guidance and steady presence don’t go unnoticed.

If you can, reference a contribution:

• “Thank you for mentoring the new team members this year.”
• “Thank you for leading meetings with clarity and care.”

Add a Little Something Extra: eGift Cards for International Women’s Day

Yes, words are powerful. But sometimes, pairing those words with a small, flexible eGift Card turns appreciation into something practical.

It doesn’t have to be extravagant. In fact, it shouldn’t be. A $20 eGift Card – whether for books, a meal, self-care or something entirely her choice – is less about the dollar amount and more about the gesture. 

For organizations wanting to recognize the women across their teams like leaders, mentors or coordinators – bulk eGift Cards make it possible to scale gratitude without losing sincerity. All you need to do is: 

• Upload your recipients.
• Personalize your message.
• Send.

Easy, right? If you need a more in-depth walk-through, we’ve got you. 

Each recipient still receives her own thoughtful note – not a mass email or a generic blast.  

And when you choose a flexible option – like the AnyCard that lets her decide what feels rewarding – you remove the guesswork. You’re not deciding what joy or celebration looks like for her. She gets to choose.

Which, for someone who so often focuses on everyone else’s needs, feels fitting.

On a day that recognizes women’s contributions, seen and unseen, the gesture should feel the same way: personal.

Send the Thank You

This International Women’s Day, take a minute to give a woman in your life a Thank You Card. Just let her know the work she does – paid or unpaid – matters.

Because it does – and she deserves to hear it.

FAQ: You Ask, We Answer

Q: How do I make my GroupTogether card free?

A: Your GroupTogether Thank You card becomes free when you add a gift collection and collect $20 or more toward a gift. Once that minimum spend is reached in the gift store, there’s no separate card fee – the funds go toward the eGift Card instead. 

Q: How do I send bulk eGift Cards to the women in my workplace?

A: GroupTogether makes bulk sending straightforward. You can upload a spreadsheet with recipient details, personalize your message for each person, choose the gift amount and schedule delivery – all in one place. Whether you’re recognising five women or five hundred, the process stays simple and streamlined.

Q: Can I personalize each eGift Card message?

A: Yes. When sending bulk eGift Cards, you can include personalized messages so each woman receives an individual note. We don’t do generic here! 

Q: Can I send different gift amounts in one bulk order?

A: Yes. You can send different amounts within the same bulk campaign if needed. For example, you might choose one amount for team-wide recognition and another for leadership or milestone contributions.

Q: What kind of gift card should I choose?

A: Flexible gift cards – such as the AnyCard, AKA the ultimate gift card – are often the most thoughtful choice. They allow recipients to select from a range of retailers, meaning you don’t have to guess what wellness, celebration or self-care looks like for someone else. Choice makes appreciation feel more personal.

Q: What if someone doesn’t receive their eGift Card?

A: If a gift card isn’t received, delivery status can be checked and support is available via live chat with real, local team members. Often it’s something simple like a typo in the email address or a spam filter. Either way, help is available quickly.

Q: Is there a minimum number of eGift Cards required for bulk sending?

A: No. You can send bulk eGift Cards whether you’re recognising an individual person, a small team or an entire organization. The same workflow applies regardless of size.

Q: When will the card and gift be delivered?

A: You can schedule delivery for a specific date and time – perfect for coordinating International Women’s Day recognition. On the chosen day, recipients receive their digital card and eGift Card directly via email.

Meet the experts

Melissa Evans

Content Writer

Ali + Julie

Co-Founders, GroupTogether.

Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!