It is an important weekend for women around the world: International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements, increases visibility while calling out inequality.
Many organizations and groups in the province are celebrating local women by holding events.
One of those events is a ceremony for Women of Distinction offered by the YWCA.
The awards were reinstated six years ago and will take place annually. Newfoundland and Labrador’s group is part of a network of 32 members country-wide.
Executive Director of YWCA, Wendolyn Schlamp, says they hold the awards on March 8 in order to highlight such an important day across the world.
She says the organization works all year for gender equity and they think about how they can do things better, what can be done in communities and what work there is ahead of them.
The awards enable women to stop, celebrate and think about the leadership existing within their community.
Women’s Health
Women’s health was highlighted at an event this morning to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Health care providers who specialize in women’s issues, along with fitness and wellness professionals, shared their knowledge.
Amanda Hancock was one of the organizers for the event and says it is the fourth year that the group has put together the event “Core and Coffee.”
This year they’re fundraising for a national organization called Fertile Future.
The event was not just for women, however. Hancock says fertility affects everyone and it is important to highlight that.
Women in Sports
Women in particular begin to stop playing sports when they hit adolescence, usually because it is the time when they begin to feel more self conscious. A local trainer says her number one piece of advice is to keep at it.
Rebecca Gladney was just recognized by a local junior hockey league for being the first ever female bench staff member in the league and for her efforts in assisting the Avalon Capitals Junior B team.
As a registered massage therapist, Gladney says she has gotten to work with both men and women but she says society needs to continue to work hard to normalize women working with men in sports.
Gladney says when women are involved in sports it teaches them empowerment and resilience.
Volunteering to Bring Light to Women in Need
Volunteering in the community can be rewarding and challenging.
Coordinator of Princess and the Purse, Kelly Carew, says since taking over the group a couple of years ago she has learned a lot about women.
Princess and the Purse started as a group to help single mom’s during the holidays but it has expanded into a way to brighten the holidays for all women in need. Carew explains that people have already started donating for the next holiday season.
She has learned the women in local communities are caring and giving – some even give from an empty pot. Carew says she has also learned the most important part has been finding a medium to offer care through.
Carew shares that it is not just about what is inside a Princess and the Purse donation but the donation itself that is so special.
She says all the little donations put together fill the purse, showing the amount of generosity and thought that goes into them. Carew wants to continue the project for years to come helping make women in the community feel appreciated and taken care of.
Carew believes that being a volunteer in the community can be rewarding and, by taking over as coordinator of Princess and the Purse, has learned she no longer looks up to one female role model; the network of women across the province inspire her everyday to continue doing what she is doing.
Building Relationships for Female Youth
A group of young women who celebrate being a woman everyday is Girl Guides of Canada.
The organization says on International Women’s Day, it is important to place emphasis on broadening perceptions and improving situations for women by sharing stories.
Guide member, Nielle Dalton, says she has watched other members and groups come together to complete service projects for local charities and it has inspired her to do good deeds.
She says everyday, especially on March 8, she looks up to her fellow guide members and leaders, and she is happy to be a part of something where she can learn skills to bring with her into the future while hanging out with her friends.
Having a healthy relationship with other women is something Dalton has taken from being a member and she will have many of her guide friends for life.
Dalton shares that she is always inspired and motivated to do better after participating in camps, events and meetings.
Girl Guides of Canada Newfoundland and Labrador sent out an idea list to all units in the province for ways that units can celebrate International Women’s Day. Some of the activities include learning about beauty standards for women, discussing gender roles and interviewing a woman in the community who is helping make the world a better place.
Women in the Small Business Community
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is collective individualism. The organization says that conversations, behaviours and mindsets can all come together to create equality.
The women in the small business community in the province come together to share ideas and provide support.
Megan Jackman, CEO and creative director of Ragmaw, says the support the women in business offer each other is important for success.
The support is not just about answering a person’s questions, Jackman says. Being there to get creative juices flowing and to inspire each other is crucial.
Jackman explains that sharing knowledge about new business styles can be helpful. For example, many people are taking their businesses online but that can be daunting to some people. Helping one another move forward is what she describes as a way to network and grow together as a community.
Ragmaw is hosting an event in honour of International Women’s Day that will bring together business owners, community members and other professionals.
I am working on a series of stories for International Women’s Day tomorrow for @VOCMNEWS highlighting what our local female business owners, volunteers and other professionals are doing in our communities.
Stay tuned on @590VOCM and online! #IWD2020 pic.twitter.com/tQQVQrAyFj
— Victoria Battcock (@VicBattcock) March 7, 2020
Jackman says it is an opportunity to bring people together to network and ask questions, especially if someone is interested in starting a business of their own.
One piece of advice from Jackman for women who want to start a business is “Ask, ask, ask.”
She says the more people someone can network with, the more confidence a person will get and it is the perfect way to fuel the fire.
