Patricia Sands

Author

Canadian Women's Foundation

Friday, March 8th is International Women’s Day! Celebrate!

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It’s that time again- Friday is International Women’s Day! How does it come around so quickly? I’m posting before March 8th so you have time to check and see how you might get involved. There are many events and celebrations planned around the world. Check here to see what is happening in your area.

In Toronto, International Canadian activist, speaker and author Sally Armstrong will be hosting a live blog which is something we can all be part of no matter where we happen to find ourselves. She is truly a woman who lives as she believes and puts herself in harm’s way on a regular basis to further the cause of women around the world. Here’s the info:

Date & time: 08 March 2013 12.00 to 13.00
Event: LIVE BLOG WITH JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST SALLY ARMSTRONG
About: Sally Armstrong will share stories from her new book Ascent of Women. She says a new revolution is unfolding and the exciting story is being written by women in mud-brick houses in Afghanistan and Egypt’s Tahrir Square and in Congo’s forests. She introduces us to change makers – women who are claiming their space at home, at work and in the public square, including girls in Kenya suing their government for not protecting them from rape. Join us for a live chat with Sally Armstrong on International Women’s day as she shares these stories from the front lines. You will be able to join the discussion, ask questions and comment.
Venue: Join us online at MSN.ca, Toronto, ON

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In recognition of International Women’s Day, I am posting a reminder about the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Please click on the name to visit their website and see how you might get involved.

You may have read about this before on my blog as I like to give a shout out to this extraordinary organization when I can. I’m proud to be a member of this group that is constantly researching needs and building programs through the actions of a community of women and men coming together for a common cause.

Over the last twenty years, the Canadian Women’s Foundation has invested $35 million in more than 1,100 community programs across Canada.

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A public foundation, it consists of committed supporters, donors and volunteers across the country and diligent, enthusiastic staff workers that passionately believe in the importance of social change.

In the simplest terms, CWF invests in programs that move women and girls out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence. In part these programs strive to:

 teach young people about healthy relationships;

 counsel children who have witnessed violence, to help them heal and prevent them from becoming victims or abusers themselves;

  support women as they rebuild their lives after abuse.

Investing in the power of women and the dreams of girls. 

I also want to share this link at one of my favourite travel websites Journeywoman.com. To recognize International Women’s Day they have posted a wonderful photo gallery of women from around the world. The photos were taken by bloggers as they traveled about on their personal journeys. Take a break and enjoy!

Needless to say every day is a day for considering the equality of every single person. However these special days are set aside to help build awareness and connect the global community. How will you recognize International Women’s Day? Whether your recognition is a quiet word of support to a woman in need, an offer to help another, or a big brassy celebration, everything counts. Do something!

Hey girls – want to play hockey?

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I am such a fan of the Canadian Women’s Foundation! A public foundation, it consists of committed supporters, donors and volunteers across the country and diligent, enthusiastic staff workers that passionately believe in the importance of social change.

In the simplest terms, CWF invests in programs that move women and girls out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence. In part these programs strive to:

 teach young people about healthy relationships;

 counsel children who have witnessed violence, to help them heal and prevent them from becoming victims or abusers themselves;

  support women as they rebuild their lives after abuse.

On Wednesday of this week, the CWF organized a wonderful evening at the headquarters of the YWCA in Toronto to celebrate some of the dedicated people from across the country who put programs in place and keep them running, often under the most difficult conditions. Having the opportunity to speak with these people was beyond inspiring.

With an increase from 14 programs offered last year to 28 this year, there is still so much work to be done! The surface is barely scratched. Please take a look at the CWF website and consider how you can be involved.

To top off this evening, the guest speaker was Sami Jo Small, a proud Olympic gold medal winner and enthusiastic co-founder of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. I must admit it was quite a thrill to hold that magnificent medal as it was passed around!

Sami’s message was powerful, as she led us on her journey from being the only girl on a boys’ hockey team in Winnipeg at the age of 5 to joyfully standing on the podium at the Olympics. She stressed how things didn’t always go as she would have wished in her career but the lesson she learned was this: you can’t always choose the role you want in life but you can choose how you play the role you are handed. Words to live by.

Investing in the power of women and the dreams of girls.

Are you involved in any work that helps to inspire young girls or educate impoverished women  to assist them in building a new life for themselves and their families? And how about girl’s or women’s hockey? Have you ever played the game or attended a women’s hockey game? Strap on your skates and give it a try!

Oct. 11 – International Day of The Girl

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Last December, the United Nations’ General Assembly officially designated October 11 as the International Day of The Girl. This Thursday, Canada and nations around the world will focus on raising awareness of the particular challenges that girls face and implement plans to take action.

Girls will be recognized as powerful agents of change and as leaders of today and tomorrow, and girl-specific issues will be highlighted.

The Canadian government led the resolution at the UN and over 100 member nations have already pledged their support. Individually we can all show our support in many ways and most easily by spreading the word and getting involved. Let’s face it, we women know how to communicate!

Every girl is someone’s daughter. Let’s make all daughters proud by honouring them and working toward gender equality and girls’ rights everywhere on this planet.

Here are some excellent links for more details on the subject. Please pass the information on and see how you can get involved with whatever your community plans for this landmark occasion.

Status of Women Canada

Plan International

Because I Am A Girl – Fabulous site! Join them on Twitter and Facebook right here!

Day of the Girl.org

I’m proud to be a member of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. I urge you to consider becoming involved in one of their innovative programs.

As a women’s foundation, we specialize in helping women and girls move out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence.

 CWF MISSION

We invest in the power of women and the dreams of girls. The Canadian Women’s Foundation raises money to research, fund and share the best approaches to ending violence against women, moving low-income women out of poverty and building strong, resilient girls.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada, what better time to be reminded of our own good fortune and the struggles of others, near and far. We are in this life together so let’s pay it forward in whatever ways possible.

Here’s the challenge dear readers – UNLEASH THE POWER!