International Women's Day March 8

 

On March 8, 1911, more than one million women and men attended IWD rallies in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women's rights and international peace.

Since then, March 8th has been celebrated every year as International Women's Day (IWD). On this day, we globally participate in a celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. We come together to "to highlight their solidarity and the fight for equal economical and
political rights with men... [it is] a day to embrace the changing female role in our society."

Watch a short video about IWD and see the official website for International Women's Day here.

This Year's theme: Every Woman Counts



This year to commemorate the 101st anniversary of International Women's Day, our community united under the theme Every Woman Counts. We extended our celebration to include a number of downtown businesses who celebrated in their own way: from colourful window displays to a free raffle, the downtown core vibrated with festivity!

An immense thank you to the following businesses, who aided us in our efforts to assert that Every Woman Counts:

- Women's International Gift and Gallery
- The Relique Studio
- Tiny Cakes
- Phidon
- Gallery M
- Grand River Books
- Renew Medical Laser and Skin Care
- The Kiwi
- Lutherwood
- Social Planning Council
- Paperbacks Unlimited
- Edit Designs
- Reid's Chocolates
- Country Roads Ladies Wear
- Classique Boutique
- Cafe Lita
- Moksha Yoga
- Axess 33 Skateboard Shop
- Moon Lite Tea Shop
- Urban Bride
- Education Credit Union
- CIBC
- Royal Bank
- Scotiabank
- Bank of Montreal
- TD Canada Trust
- Cornerstone Home Interiors
- Cambridge Self Help Food Bank
- Melville Cafe
- Grand Cafe
- Forever Young Spa Centre Inc*
- Dehlia's Boutique
- Cambridge Active Self Help
- Coffee Culture
- Reporter Cafe
- Clippers
- United Way
- Region of Waterloo at 150 Main Steet
- Cambridge City Hall

* ONGOING: To celebrate women helping women, Forever Young Spa will be featuring a special for the Month of March: a 20% discount of services, with 10 going to YWCA Cambridge programs!
*** A special thank you to these businesses who took part in our FREE raffle: the prizes were FANTASTIC!

See below for a complete list of the winners:
* Kerry Faus: a Bonny Doon glass serving tray from Women's International Gift and Gallery
* Christa May: a $25 gift certificate from The Reqliue Studio
* Linda McKay: a $25 gift certificate from Tiny Cakes
* Danielle Dimay: a $25 gift certificate from Gallery M
* Nicole Cichello: a $50 gift certificate from Renew Medical and Laser and Skin Care
* Connie Psenak: a pamper yourself package with books from Grand River Books
* Jana Prabhakar: a $25 gift certificate from The Kiwi
* Deborah Ingraham: a gift package from The City of Cambridge
* Marilyn Robinson: a gift package from The City of Cambridge
* Pam Kent: a $50 pen from Phidon
* Michele Braniff: a gift basket from CIBC
* Carol Acres: a gift certificate for a 1 pound box of chocolates from Reid's Chocolates

* Courtney from Alison Neighborhood Association won our Twitter contest and will receive an awesome S.W.A.G bag with assorted goodies from WIGG

Thank you again to everyone who took part in the celebration of women this year.

Make a difference: think globally, act locally and support the women in your life!