On the edge of Lake Eola, chanting, singing and speech making were heard as the sun set over the water in Orlando.

“United we stand. United we stand,” chanted a crowd of about 200 people.

The group gathered for a rally and vigil for International Women’s Day. March 8 is a day that showcases the social, economic, cultural and political successes of women, while also urging more gender equality.

"We as women have a lot to contribute both socially and economically. And we want to highlight what we contribute. And we also have a long way to go in many places in terms of equality,” said Melanie Gold, an event organizer.

The theme this Women’s Day was “A Day Without A Woman.”

“Today I stayed home, I did not spend a penny,” said Chere Force, who attended the rally.

“I did go to work, but I was decked out from head to toe in red,” said Suzanne Lander, attended the rally.

The crowd at Lake Eola looked like a sea of red. Most of the people that were in attendance were women.

“I wanted to show her what real role models are, what strong women are, and what it means to stand united,” said Jenny Castano, as she held her young daughter Haley Rey.  

But sprinkled in the large group, were also several men.

“To support women. As the lady explained, a woman’s issue is also a man’s and a child’s issue. There is no such thing as a woman’s only issue,” said Marcel Spitz, who attended the rally.

“We have a voice, we have a voice,” was the resounding message chanted throughout the hour and a half long event.

“I know I am doing things I never thought I would do last year, that I am doing,” said Force. ”Like calling my Congress people, signing petitions and being more political than I have ever been in my whole life.”  

And a common conversation among the crowd was about how each woman’s actions were felt across the country and local community.  

“Absolutely you can see it all over the news, you can see it on all social media outlets,” said Castano.  

“Normally it takes 30 minutes to where I get to work, today it took me 19. The roads were empty, and I truly believe there were a lot of women who stayed home and that was why,” said Lander.