Calgary International Women’s Day events around the city
Posted Mar 8, 2023 9:32 am.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is upon us and here in Calgary there are a lot of activities to take in to celebrate the women in your life.
The day, according to the IWD website, was honoured for the first time in 1911, and it was used to lobby for a woman’s right to work and to vote. It is celebrated by millions of people around the world, with conferences and demonstrations happening to push for greater equality.
The United Nations recognized the day in 1977. IWD remains a way to advocate for women’s equity in the workplace and day-to-day life while also acknowledging how far the movement has come.
IWD is using the #EmbraceEquity to raise awareness and celebrate the day.
“Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive,” the IWD website reads.
“A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality.”
Happy #InternationalWomensDay There's much to celebrate ✨ about women's achievements, yet we all know there's more to do. Worldwide???? let's #EmbraceEquity & build a better world for women everywhere. Collectively we can all forge positive change #IWD2023????????https://t.co/yvAXmQnnxd pic.twitter.com/bwXu5EVyg1
— Women's Day (@womensday) March 8, 2023
Calgary IWD events
“In Full Bloom,” a celebration of artwork by and about women, is happening over the next week at ATB Branch for Arts & Culture. The opening performance is by Sings Many Songs Women, a band from Mohkinstsis which features hand drums and singing.
Discovery House is hosting award-winning journalist Anna Maria Tremonti in the event “She Is…,” which will be followed by a discussion by female leaders in the city.
Tremonti was the founder of CBC’s The Current, which she hosted for 17 years, She was also the host of The Fifth Estate. Lately, Tremonti started a podcast called “Welcome To Paradise,” which discusses intimate partner violence.
At the Calgary Central Library, “Intergenerational Storytelling” is being presented to raise awareness about the right to access books that have been banned. If features musicians, storytellers, and panel discussions. In addition, there is licensed, supervised childcare available.
At Southcentre Mall, you can check out the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association’s (CIWA) market with art handcrafted by immigrant women through Calgary’s arts and crafts volunteer program.
The market will take place from March 8 -12 with proceeds going to CIWA programming.
If you’re looking for an outdoorsy way to celebrate International Women’s Day, a walking tour is happening at Fort Calgary.
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For classical music lovers, the RBC Concerto Concert is happening at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Calgary’s Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre. The concert features four women soloists that are alumni from both the Mount Royal University Conservatory program and from UCalgary’s School of Creative Performing Arts.
The four women will perform with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Junior League of Calgary, a group dedicated to developing the potential of women, is going ahead with the Little Black Dress Initiative, which has been happening since 2014.
It’s about bringing awareness to poverty, opportunities, and access to resources for women. Advocates wear a black dress (or other clothing) for five days straight, which is done to “spark conversations and awareness about poverty and related issues.”
According to StatsCan, more than two million women in the country live at or below the low-income measure. There are around 205,000 female shelter users and school-aged girls from low-income families in Canada.
