Happy International Women's Day! What a wonderful thing... I thought it would be fitting for me to blog about some interesting IWD facts and how I spent my day.
In case you didn't know, International Women's Day first began in 1911 in Germany, meaning this year is the 101st IWD. In some countries, such as Russia, it's a statutory holiday. How amazing would that be if Canada followed suit? Unfortunately that probably won't happen, as the UN ranks Canada low on the list of countries in regard to gender equality. You're probably surprised, huh? There is a lot I could go into around that topic, like how women in Canada still make 71 cents for every dollar a man with the same job would make. I don't want to focus on the negatives right now, but it is important for both women and men to understand that we have come a long way on the road to gender equality, but there is still a long stretch ahead.
All that being said, let me now tell you how I spent my IWD. This morning I attended an International Women's Day Luncheon put on by the Pictou County Women's Centre. I went early to help set up and take money for tickets, and then had a lunch while some local amateur actresses portrayed four women from Pictou County who have made important impacts on our community over the last 150 years. This included women from the African-Canadian and First Nations communties. The really great thing was that two of the actresses were actually portraying women they were related to - one was an aunt and the other was a great-grandmother. Very interesting and a fun way to learn some local history.
After the luncheon I got to work at Sobeys for the evening (lame, as usual), and although it was maybe not my ideal way to spend the rest of the afternoon/evening on such a beautiful day, I was happy to wish all my female coworkers a Happy International Women's Day. Next year I'm going to do something bigger for IWD though... I won't be working at Sobeys, but I think I will plan something to continue to raise awareness.
Often I find that when I mention women's rights or wish women a Happy IWD, it's taken almost as a joke or something equally as unimportant. I wish this wasn't so. Be proud, get informed, and don't take your rights for granted. You deserve more. Every day is International Men's Day.
So when I say Happy International Women's Day, I mean it! Celebrate the women in your life, everyday.
