Community events ‘press for progress’ on International Women’s Day

By Nicole Bayes-Fleming

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day asks participants to “press for progress.”

On Thursday, March 8, groups throughout Halifax are celebrating how far women have come, while continuing to push for more change.

Women in the City: Past, Present and Future

The Junior League of Halifax is hosting Women in the City: Past, Present and Future, a summit bringing together the YWCA, the Halifax Women’s History Society, Pier 21 and others to celebrate the contributions of women’s organizations in Halifax.

Patricia Figueredo, the chair of the International Women’s Day committee with the Junior League, said she hopes the event will inspire guests to become more involved in the community.

“Women organizations shape a city when [they] create projects to educate the community, when [they] identify the most pressing problems facing Halifax, and help to create solutions,” said Figueredo. “They are agents of change, they are drivers of collaboration, prosperity, health, education.”

The free event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library.

International Women's Day Craft Fair and Panel Discussion

The Ladies Beer League is hosting a craft fair and panel discussion in order to raise awareness about sexualized violence in the hospitality industry.

Emily Dexter, membership coordinator with the Ladies Beer League, said the panel will discuss the difficulties women working in bars and restaurants face while on the job.

“Nobody talks about it, so we want to talk about issues that [these] women run into,” Dexter said.

The craft fair will feature approximately 10 different vendors. Proceeds from the event will go to the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, in support of bringing the Safe Bars program to Nova Scotia.

Safe Bars educates employees on how to ensure a harassment-free environment for patrons.

“It basically uses innovative bystander education strategies to empower bar staff to stand up against sexual harassment and assault,” Dexter said.

The event will be hosted at the Timber Lounge (2712 Agricola St.). The craft fair begins at 5 p.m. and the panel discussion starts at 7 p.m. Entrance fee is by donation.

Leading Ladies Networking : International Women's Day

Leading Ladies Networking is hosting a night for women to make connections and grow their careers.

Menna Riley, the founder and host of Leading Ladies Networking, said International Women’s Day encompasses the same values as Leading Ladies Networking.

“Every single leading ladies event is essentially like that, like that’s exactly what we’re celebrating – empowering women, supporting women, promoting each other and celebrating each other in business.”

She said the night provides women with an open environment to practice putting themselves out there and building their business.

“Women are traditionally very good at saying what other people are good at, and not taking that opportunity to step into the spotlight and talk about themselves…what this is doing is really putting that spotlight back on women and saying, ‘Be proud,’” Riley said.

Women of all ages and professions are welcome. The event will be hosted at Lot Six Atrium Bar (1685 Argyle St.) from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available online for $37.

Additional events include:

  • Halifax City Hall will host Time is Now: Indigenous Racialized Women in Leadership from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. It features cultural performances, spoken word and local art. Admission is free.
  • Good Robot Brewing Company (2736 Robie St.) is offering beers brewed by women during the FemmeBot Dance Party from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. One dollar from every pint will be donated to Adsum House.
  • Volta (1505 Barrington St.) is hosting an event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss and encourage women in the tech start-up industry. Admission is free, but guests are asked to register online in advance.

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