Using resilience to break down biases and stereotypes will be a key message from guest speakers at the St. Marys Friendship Center’s fifth annual event for International Women’s Day on Tuesday.
Using resilience to break down biases and stereotypes will be a key message from guest speakers at the St. Marys Friendship Center’s fifth annual event for International Women’s Day on Tuesday.
After moving the event online last year, presentations from Stratford women’s shelter Optimism Place and London-based speaker Rev. Dr. Sheila Macgregor will take place both in person and online, organizer Pauline White said.
“Every year, there’s a different theme, but it always boils down to the same message and all the little things that we have to start doing and start noticing to make changes,” said White, also the town’s wellness co-ordinator. “Even (guests) just mentioning (they) went and celebrated International Women’s Day I think is a step in education and advocacy.”
March 8, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, also marks marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias.
“Having these moments to celebrate women in our community and across the world is really important,” said Jasmine Clark, the executive director of Optimism Place. “It’s about taking action and it’s about reflecting on the promise we’ve made, and also that we’ve got lots of work left to do.”
During her presentation at Tuesday’s event, Clark will be sharing some of the stories that have been unfolding at the local women’s shelter over the past couple of years. Crisis calls have nearly doubled there since the beginning of the pandemic, Clark said, and space at the shelter has been limited as staff help women and families with more and more complex needs.
“Not everything is pretty,” she said. “Our work is difficult and not every story is a success story, but I think that we … have rallied around the word hope this year. I think that ties in nicely with the resilience of our team and of the women that we’re supporting.”
Macgregor is the minister of worship and pastoral care at SILOAM United Church. Her message will also be one of resilience, White said.
“I’m always amazed by the people trying to break the bias and share support to women and gender equality,” she said. “We’re excited to welcome (Macgregor) and her expertise in helping women become their best selves, even in the face of adversity.”
Registration is required to attend. More information is available by calling 519-284-3272 or registering online at townofstmarys.com/activenet.