Patricia Sands

Author

International Women's Day

Not just one, but TWO promises …

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2013 Theme: THE GENDER AGENDA: GAINING MOMENTUM
“Over time and distance, the equal rights of women have progressed. We celebrate the achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change. There is global momentum for championing women’s equality.”

Here’s the first promise: To help accomplish this simple task today … right now … I promise that as many people as I can reach and those who visit here today … men or women … will  “Like” the International Women’s Day Facebook Page. Click right here and then hang around there for a while following up on some of the extraordinary links. Be that woman or that man. Then pass the message on. Do it for our girls. Do it for their future. Do it. Thanks!

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Now for the second promise … well … forgive me …  I guess that’s kind of a corny segue … but I’m excited to share this with you for the first time. I feel it’s an appropriate day to talk about this promise because my next novel is a woman’s story and it’s about hope and change which is something we should encourage in each other all the time. N’est-ce pas? It’s also partially set in …  where else would you expect from me … the south of France.

Drum roll please ~~~~~~TA DAAAAAAAAAA ~~~~~~~ the cover of my next novel!

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I’m also absolutely delighted to have my new novel featured on my friend Bette Lee Crosby’s blog today as part of her March Treasure Hunt. She lets a few details about the story slip, so be sure to bette-insert-2drop over there! You can sign up for the great giveaway she has going too. Do take a look at the fabulous collection of novels Bette has written with that inviting, humorous and touching Southern voice of hers, and decide which one you want to read first. I have loved every one of them.

To add to the celebrations of this special day, I am going to give away two free ebooks of The Promise of Provence as soon as it is available around April 1st. If you don’t mind waiting until the end of April, I will also give away one signed print copy. Click right here to leave your e-mail address – sorry about the Captcha – but you know that just means spammers won’t get in to spoil the contest for you! You can tell me in the comment box there if you want an e-book or print. We will do the draw on March 31.Thanks!

I’m excited about the upcoming launch of this novel and I hope you are too.  Take a minute and let me know if you did something special for International Women’s Day  … besides liking their Facebook Page, of course!

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!

Int’l Women’s Day – the beat goes on

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If it’s Friday, it must be France

Bonjour! Before we talk France I want to let you know I’m at the energizing hive of activity, Girlfriendology.com, today. We’re continuing the blogtalk about … what else (?!?) … women, connections and inspiring girls. If you’re taking a break around 1:30 EST, Debba and I would love to have you join us on her blogtalk radio. Just click on this link to take you there.

And now back to France to see what was going on there this week.

Did you know the word “mademoiselle” (the French equivalent of “miss”) will now be removed from all government forms? (The New York Times had reported the word was now “banned”, which is not quite accurate.) Two powerful French feminist groups have mounted a strong advocacy campaign for some time for this move and someone has finally listened.

The issue is that “mademoiselle” clearly denotes the marital status of a woman, as opposed to “madame”, but men are always referred to as “monsieur” whether single or married. Women are either mademoiselles or madames for official and business purposes depending on their marital situation.

This distinction no longer exists in a number of Western countries. Germany banned the word Fraulein from official use in 1972. For many decades English-speaking countries have offered women the option of the neutral Ms, although Miss does still appear in many instances. No such alternative was offered in France, quite possibly because many young French people widely shun marriage these days and simply don’t consider it an issue.

A little history – mademoiselle comes from demoiselle, which used to be a title of nobility in pre-revolutionary France. The  link to marital status occurred during the Napoleonic era.

In another good step, France has given final approval to legislation requiring corporations to reserve at least 40% of the board positions for women. Read more here.

For all of the celebrating and recognition of the great strides towards equality achieved by women through the past 101 years since the first IWD, there is still a long way to go. This article from the Guardian gives an overview of struggles around the world, including La Belle France, faced by women today.

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Here’s a thought for today that fits right in. Can you translate? If not, tune in next Friday. Bon weekend, tout le monde!

Did you do anything special to mark International Women’s Day this week? I had coffee with a friend yesterday who was going to a potluck dinner in support of a women’s charity in Guatemala. Each guest was requested to bring a story, photo or poem about a woman in their community they wished to celebrate. Love it! Women do “get it”.

Celebrating Women

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For the past 100 years, International Women’s Day (IWD) has been celebrated around the world on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Organisations, governments and women’s groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues. I decided my blog should have a theme for IWD as well so I’m going to begin a series of interviews with some amazing women I have met during the eight months since my novel was published. It’s been quite a ride! One of the best parts of this journey is discovering the fabulous community of women involved in the world of writing and publishing and all the other aspects that revolve around the literary arts. (Not to discriminate, there are terrific men involved too … but this is about the ladies.) The supportive, collaborative, welcoming spirit one finds within this world of words is a joy to discover. I’ll post the first interview in the next few days.

Click here to read more about International Women’s Day.