WE women

One Hundred Years later: International Women’s Day February 24, 2011

On Tuesday, March 8th, women all over the world commemorate 100 years of struggle to gain equality, dignity and the God-given rights denied before then. Some of it like the right to vote, (first), better labor conditions (recall the fire in New York at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on Green St and Washington Place), becoming a “Person” (yes, it needed a legislation for women to be regarded as “persons”), and with voting rights, gradually, the right to run for office and recently to be appointed in offices and positions that used to be solely for men with higher but still slightly equal pay.

Funeral of 8 out of the 146 who died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York (image coourtesy of Wikipedia)

Tombstone of a victim of the fire (image courtesy of wikipedia commons)

Yet, one hundred years later, the persistent ghosts of the past continue to lurk in most societies, or such conditions have transmogrified–sex trafficking for example, domestic workers and caregivers. As the world has modernized and technology has brought mankind past the moon, one would suppose the horrific inequalities of a century now just a memory would have been gained. But perhaps, as forces in nature always have two opposite sides, women after a hundred years have cause both to celebrate and shout out their voices for the next one hundred years.

Here in Vancouver, International Women’s Day will be celebrated with a ‘Parade of the Century’ on March 6 as follows:

It’s a Wonderful Date to celebrate International Women’s Day!

 The 2011 IWD Organizing Committee extends an invitation to All on Saturday, March 5, 2011 to celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of International Women’s Day in Vancouver. Come and join us from 12:30pm to 4:30pm, for an Imaginative Widely Diverse Parade along Commercial Drive, followed by an indoor Festival at the WISE Hall, where entertainment, a marketplace, refreshments and a Kid Zone await.

The Parade is designed to feature women representing different times from the past 100 years. Cheer along, or march in the parade. Choose a theme or a time period that reflects some important achievement for women, and dress up and join the fun! Everyone is welcome!

The Parade will take place on Commercial Drive. Gathering starts at 12:30pm at the McSpadden Park (Victoria Drive & E. 4^th Avenue). Parade begins at 1:00pm arriving at the WISE Hall at 2:00pm (1882 Adanac Street). There will be musicians and performers both in the Parade and at the Festival.  

The 2011 IWD Organizing Committee is a broad-based committee comprised of unions, community-based organisations and community women. 

www.iwdvancouver.ca