Some 40-50 women embraced and celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) in the upstairs boardroom of the South Cariboo Business Centre at 475 Birch Ave.
The event was hosted by the 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre (WC).
IWD is celebrated on March 8 every year around the world and the focus ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements.
WC board chair Gina Gigliotti said she was very pleased that so many women turned out to celebrate the event.
She added March is Women’s History month and it’s important for all women – for their equality in wages and in promotions.
“But another thing, even today women are judged by their dress, like cultural clothing. We still need to move forward in the justice system and employment.
“In Canada, we have many rights and freedoms, but we’re more global. It doesn’t matter what gender we are [because] we all belong to one group, human, and we need to treat our planet, ourselves and each other with more respect.”
In the boardroom, the audience, surrounded by photos displaying “Cariboo Women,” were entertained and inspired by three speakers: Janice Frank, Eliza Archie Memorial School principal; Kimberley Vance-Lundsbye, Immigrant Settlement Services co-ordinator for Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Society (CCPL); and retired businesswomen and inspirational speaker Val Clemont.
The speakers brought their personal lives into their speech with laughter and tears.
Frank’s life story involved working through difficulties and striving to get her education. She also spoke about the various positions she has held.
At the end of the speech, Frank said she wondered why she was where she was now, given her earlier risk behaviour and getting into so many serious situations.
“Then I look into my three grandchildren’s eyes. I see their admiration and know why I’m here.”
Vance-Lundsbye, spoke about her position with the CCPL, and of the lessons she is continually learning.
She said she reserves the right to change her mind, which reminds the audience that it’s OK to change a decision.
She spoke emotionally of the refugee conflict that continues in this world, and if an immigrant family moved to 100 Mile House, she prayed they would be lovingly welcomed.
“I would do anything to keep my children safe … exactly what the immigrant mothers are doing now.”
Clemont started her speech by asking the question of what is a woman’s most priceless possession? She answered: “It’s their attitude.”
She spoke of her terror about being judged, especially for her lack of education, but then Clemont decided she had a street smarts degree.
Clemont said she overcame some large obstacles in her life, some self-induced. She talked of how she reinvented herself at different times in her life, through faith, and by surrounding herself with only supportive people.
“Make your life matter. It doesn’t have to be profound; it just has to matter.
“Choose to define, confine, outshine, or leave it all behind.”
The 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre Society’s mission is to provide accessible, essential services to women and families impacted by poverty, discrimination, violence and abuse through commitment to equality, acceptance and empowerment.
For more information, call 250-395-4093.
