The theme for International Women’s Day in Canada this year was “Women Inspiring Women”. As a women owned and operated company, Sea Change decided to look within our team to share our sources of inspiration.
To us, International Women’s Day is a day to recognize women’s (including women-identified and non-binary folks) past accomplishments and achievements, in particular in advocating for gender equity, and to dream about a more just, equitable, peaceful, and sustainable future for all.
International Women’s Day celebrates women everywhere! It is also a day to bring awareness to the inequity that still exists, and action that is needed to decrease this inequity and bias towards women.
It makes us consider the things we can do immediately:
- amplify women’s voices
- promote inclusion
- cultivate safer spaces
- celebrate women and value their wisdom
- acknowledge the worth of women
- accept women as they are
Some women that inspire us:
- Rita Joe, Poet laureate of the Mi’kmaq nation. Read her poem “I lost my talk”.
- Arundhati Roy, an Indian author and political activist. She wrote: “The only dream worth having is to dream that you will live while you are alive, and die only when you are dead. To love, to be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and vulgar disparity of the life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.”
- Bell Hooks, a black author, feminist, professor, and social activist. Her work demonstrated how class, race, gender, and sexual identity were interconnected and how they contributed to the oppression of women, especially Black women. Her writings shaped perspectives on the intersectionality of race, gender, and capitalism.
- US Vice President Kamala Harris. She uses her platform and voice to promote equity, influence and empower other women. She’s said: “Never ask anyone’s permission to lead. Just lead.” “What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful and your voice matters.” “Simply put, every issue is a Black woman’s issue, and Black women’s issues are everyone’s issues.”
There are so many powerhouse women in present day and history who inspire us. We hope you’ll research these women to hear about their stories.
Contributions from Jenene Woolridge.