Thirty women gathered at the Crown Isle Resort in Courtenay to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.
The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) invited women’s groups to get together to celebrate the women who have contributed to the quality of life in the Comox Valley. Four groups were represented, the CFUW Comox Valley, the Business and Professional Women’s Network (BPWN), Soroptimist International, and Grandmothers to Grandmothers.
Tributes were made to specific women who represent the best in all women.
Louise Scott, one of the founding members of the CFUW in the Comox Valley, “could be adamant about something, speaking her mind, without hurting anyone.” Corinne Matheson, a member of the BPWN, was honoured for her dedication, conviction and unflagging support of the club.
Richelle Gardiner-Hynds of North Island College delivered the keynote address.
“Canada had its first female doctor in 1875, the first female lawyer in 1892, the first female member of Parliament in 1921, and the first member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010. But young women today say, 'It’s not good enough. We expect more.' ”
For example, women generally earn only 71.4 cents to every dollar earned by men for full-time work. Only 5.7 per cent of CEO positions in Canada are filled by women. And, every six days a woman is killed by her intimate partner.
Gardiner-Hynds challenged the crowd to “share your strength and wisdom with a younger woman. Watch for them. They are out there and they need your help.”
She recalled how she learned about strength, determination and hard work from her mentor and friend, Dot Dickson, a successful businesswoman and artist in the Comox Valley.
The United Nations describes International Women's Day as “a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”
It is held on March 8 each year. Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Women Celebrating Women luncheon next year.
CFUW Comox Valley is a non-profit, non-partisan club of women that promotes the education of women, stimulates the interest of members in public affairs and affords an opportunity for united opinion and action.
For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/site/cfuwcv.
— Canadian Federation of University Women