International Women’s Day 2024
International Women's Day (IWD) on March 8, is more than just a day to celebrate the achievements of women - it's a vital movement for advocating gender parity and championing the social, economic, cultural, and political success of everyone who identifies as a woman globally. Learn how you can celebrate it right here in the Okanagan!
What is International Women's Day?
International Women's Day, observed since the early 1900s, is more than a date; it's a worldwide effort to promote equal rights for women and celebrate their achievements in society, economy, culture, and politics. The day inclusively recognizes all who identify as women, encompassing cisgender and transgender women, as well as genderqueer and non-binary individuals.
This day began during a period of major growth and change globally and celebrating it is about more than just recognizing women's successes. It involves challenging unfair stereotypes and biases, changing the way we think about gender, and working towards equal rights for everyone to create a fair and welcoming community.
The Government of Canada’s theme for International Women's Day 2024 is Invest in women: Accelerate progress. This theme encourages us to support women's equality to help create healthier, richer, and friendlier communities.
IWD Events in the Central Okanagan
There are a variety of fantastic events taking place in the Central Okanagan dedicated to those who identify as women and their allies. From thought-provoking discussions to cultural celebrations, there's something for everyone looking to uplift women.
Capital Connections | International Women's Day Celebration & Fireside Chat
March 7, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Kelowna Innovation Centre
Join Accelerate Okanagan and The National Angel Capital Organization at the Capital Connections event on the eve of International Women's Day for an engaging fireside chat and networking opportunity. This event features insights from Becky Troelstra and Valerie Mann, and includes a Q&A session, networking opportunities in the Atrium, along with complimentary refreshments and appetizers.
Kelowna International Women's Day 2024
March 8, 2024, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Kelowna Innovation Centre
Ignite your International Women’s Day with empowering keynotes, dynamic workshops, and cool networking opportunities. The 2024 extravaganza features a lineup of trailblazing speakers like Carollynn Schafer (Accelerate Okanagan) and Paula Quinn (KF Aerospace), topped off with the #IAmRemarkable workshop that’s all about boosting confidence and visibility. From morning welcome cheers to evening clinks with networking drinks, it's a jam-packed day for learning, connecting, and making waves. Profits from this event will be donated to Kelowna Gospel Mission - Women's Communities.
International Women's Day Luncheon
March 8, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Coast Capri Hotel
Organized by Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield, this event promises delicious food, great company and inspirational stories from prominent women leaders Tracy Medve - President and CEO of KF Aerospace, Dr. Lesley Cormack - Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UBC's Okanagan campus ,and Jill White - President of Waterplay Solutions.
International Women's Day Happy Hour
Friday, March 8, 4 - 6 p.m.
Sobar
Join local female-founded business Carolily Jewelry to celebrate International Women’s Day. The event will feature drinks, snacks and live music at Sobar in downtown Kelowna, and is in support of Mamas for Mamas and Karis Support Society.
Inspire Inclusion
March 8, 6 - 8 p.m. (arrive by 5:30 p.m.)
Coast Capri Hotel
The North Okanagan Labour Council's free International Women's Day 2024 event focuses on the theme “Inspire Inclusion,” advocating for a gender-equal world without bias and discrimination. Highlighting the evening are keynote speeches by Mohini Singh of Kelowna City Council, Lorraine Richmond from HOPE Outreach, and Spring Hawes, a disability educator, discussing women’s issues. This inspiring gathering also features displays, appetizers, giveaways, and numerous door prizes.
Arts & Culture Events
Enjoy stories of driven, daring and dynamic women who called the Okanagan home at The "Wonder(ful) Women of the Okanagan" on March 8 and 9. This interactive tour at the Kelowna Museums highlights the inspiring stories of local women who defied societal norms and made significant contributions to the region's history and culture.
Discover more local women's stories through two compelling art exhibitions in Kelowna. "All the Stars We Cannot See," created by Dr. Megan Smith and Dr. Gao Yujie, is an immersive installation at the Kelowna Art Gallery until March 10. It uses data from over 25,500 satellites to spark discussions on space colonization and surveillance, highlighting the complexities of our celestial expansion. “Stories & Art: No Longer Hidden” at the Rotary Centre for the Arts on March 8, spotlights the issue of domestic abuse. Local artists have transformed twenty-one stories of domestic abuse into various art forms like paintings and spoken word, aiming to raise awareness and funds for the Kelowna Women’s Shelter.
For Students:
Embrace Equity
March 8. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Okanagan College, Kelowna Campus
Celebrate International Women's Day with the Okanagan College Student Union (OCSU) at the Kelowna campus CFL Atrium. This event, titled "Embrace Equity," will feature themed cupcakes, interactive flashcard activities, t-shirts, and a wealth of educational handouts and information that the OCSU is excited to share.
Other ways to Celebrate or be an Ally
Educate, Reflect and Advocate
You can use this day to read, watch and listen to learn more about women's rights history and current challenges and to reflect on how gender biases may manifest in our personal and professional lives. There are a ton of online resources, here are some of our faves:
Image: Okanagan Regional Library
The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) has a great list of International Women’s Day resources on their website, including a ORL Reads list of Empowering Books for International Women’s Day, and Films Featuring Strong Women that you can borrow or rent.
Enhance your book collection and Spotify playlists with inspiring content from the CBC articles “45 books that 'share stories and truths' from women and two-spirit Indigenous creators” and “What to listen to this International Women's Day: Inspiring podcasts and speeches for today and beyond.”
If you’re addicted to podcasts, browse through compiled lists from Feedspot, Elle Canada Chatelaine and Readers Digest Canada to find the perfect one for your playlist or try one of these:
Who doesn’t love a Heritage Minute? Check out Historica Canada’s Women In Canadian History playlist on YouTube for some classic Heritage Minutes and other videos on amazing women in Canadian History.
Get a little more local with the Kelowna Now series ‘I Am Woman’ or Dress For Success’ Your Hour Her Power Campaign for inspiring stories from Okanagan female entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Are you data-driven? Check out the Canadian Women’s Foundation website ‘The Facts’ for stats on gender equality and justice in Canada, including information on how the gender pay gap is calculated, sexual violence prevention, women in leadership challenges, terminology, and how to be an ally.
The Government of Canada’s Women and Gender Equality Canada page also provides resources funding options for gender equality in business, and explores how the government is advancing gender equality in six priority areas in their Gender Results Framework. Both web pages also have resources on how to be vocal and advocate for gender equality in your workplace and social circles.
For more stories and facts about gender equality on a global scale, visit the United Nations UN Women or Amnesty International’s IWD website.
Mentor and Support
Image: WeBC
In the Central Okanagan, there are several mentorship programs available for young professionals seeking guidance and growth opportunities. Or, if you're in a position to do so, you can support the growth and professional development by being a mentor to young women and your colleagues.
Kelowna Women in Business (KWIB) Mentorship Program
This program focuses on empowering women in business and professional fields. It offers a 12-week mentorship program designed for both entrepreneurs and professionals. The program facilitates a relationship between a mentor and a mentee, where the mentor acts as a sponsor, helping to improve performance, advance careers, share knowledge, and provide emotional support.
UBC Geering Up Mentorship Program
This program, based at UBC Okanagan, is geared towards inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. Mentors work with students in various capacities, sharing insights about their work and experiences in STEM fields. This opportunity is available during both summer and school year programs and is an excellent way for professionals to give back and inspire young minds.
Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Mentoring Program at the Okanagan Campus of the University of British Columbia connects industry mentors with female students in the Faculties of Engineering and the Irving K Barber School of Arts and Sciences. These links help students build satisfying and successful careers. They also enable mentors to promote their industries, network with other mentors, develop new skills, and maintain a connection with the UBC community.
Okanagan Women’s Mentoring and Angel Network
The Okanagan Women’s Mentoring and Angel Network (OKGN WMAN) is dedicated to helping women-owned and gender-diverse businesses find investments and increasing women's participation as angel investors and board members in Western Canada. Despite these businesses often performing well financially, they typically receive a small portion of startup capital. OKGN WMAN works to create a strong community of female entrepreneurs and investors. Network members collectively invest in a fund to support promising businesses, gaining knowledge in investing and mentoring along the way. The network also connects entrepreneurs with a broader investor base across Canada.
Dress for Success The Professional Women’s Group
The Professional Women’s Group (PWG) offers a complimentary program aimed at providing guidance, inspiration, and a sense of community to women and gender-diverse individuals as they navigate their professional and personal life challenges and opportunities. The program includes an array of workshops and one-on-one mentorship opportunities, designed in an a la carte style to allow participants to engage in activities that align with their individual needs and aspirations. Open to all women and gender-diverse individuals, PWG creates an environment conducive to their growth and success.
The WeBC mentorship program is designed to support women entrepreneurs in BC through various mentorship formats. It pairs participants with a suitable mentor or group, enhancing their business skills and boosting confidence. The program has a track record of significantly improving mentee confidence in their business skills, from 39% before participation to 95% afterward. It also includes options like one-to-one mentoring, growth peer mentoring groups, and specialized programs like the Discovery Foundation’s Strategic Mindset Program, tailored to support women in business and tech fields.
Remember, celebrating International Women's Day is not just for women; it's for everyone who believes in a fair and equitable society. So, let’s come together, learn, share, and commit to making a positive change, not just on IWD but every day.
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