International Women's Day 2020 #BecauseOfYou International Women's Day International Women's Day 2020 #BecauseOfYou This International Women's Day, organiz-This International Women's Day, organiz-This International Women's Day, organiz ers are shining a light on grassroots efforts to advance gender equality in communities across the country and honouring Canadi- ans who are finding powerful ways, both big and small, to drive positive change right at the source. March 8 is a day for celebrating this year's theme #BecauseOfYou, which pays tribute to the diverse and inspirational gender equality change-makers we know in our own lives. Empowering women and girls to equally participate in economic, social and political life benefits people of all genders. It increas- es economic prosperity, promotes peace and security, upholds fairness and justice in our society, and ultimately creates happier and healthier communities. International Women's Day presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards achieving gender equality and cel- ebrate the acts of courage and determina- tion by individuals who have played an ex-tion by individuals who have played an ex-tion by individuals who have played an ex traordinary role in advancing gender equality in their communities. The beginnings of In- ternational Women's Day (IWD) trace back to the early 20th century, emerging from the activities of labour movements in North America and Europe and reflecting a grow-America and Europe and reflecting a grow-America and Europe and reflecting a grow ing call for women to participate equally in society. The first International Women's Day was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. On that day, more than one million women and men showed their support by participating in pub- lic events. In the years that followed, other countries began to observe and celebrate this day. The United Nations recognized 1975 as International Women's Year and began cel- ebrating IWD on March 8, later adopting a resolution designating March 8 as Interna- tional Women's Day. Today, International Women's Day, a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action, is celebrated in countries around the world. (Information provided by Status of Women Canada cfc-swc.gc.ca) Gender equality highlighted 13 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,M arch 5,2020 insidehalton.com Applications to the 2020 Young Women in Leadership Program are now open! Happy International Women's Day! My office will be running the fourth annual Young Women in Leadership Program from May 19th to 22nd, with the goal of pairing young women with mentors from the community, giving them the opportunity to gain a role model and shadow successful women in the workplace. The Program helps to develop an understanding of different occupations so young women can make informed career choices and increase their knowledge of specific occupational skills and workplace settings. We know that work experiences and female mentorship are critical components of preparing young women for future careers and I am thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to young women from Oakville North-Burlington. For more information on the Young Women in Leadership program, to sign up as a community mentor, or to apply for the program, please contact my Community Office at pam.damoff@parl.gc.ca. Pam Damoff, MP Oakville North-Burlington 905-847-4043 Hon. Anita Anand Member of Parliament -- Oakville Happy International Women's Day! As Malala Yousafzai wisely said, "we cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." We must continue to empower women and girls so that they can make meaningful contributions to our society. Constituency Office 301 Robinson Street, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 1G7 (905) 338-2008 • anita.anand@parl.gc.ca /AnitaOakville @AnitaOakville ToCarmBozzo,manager, development and communications atHaltonWomen's Place,ToCarmBozzo,manager, development and communications atHaltonWomen's Place,T InternationalWomen's Day is always a special day. But with this year's theme "because of you", which pays tribute to people that changed gender equality in their life is so fitting for her this year. There aremanywomenwhohave influencedher tobeambitious in advocating for gen- der equality, respect and empowerment. For one, she works with incredible women at Halton Women's Place who are dedicated to promote a violence free life for all women andgirls. But shealso looksbackonher life as a youngwoman trying toget involved inher community andmakingadifference. She landedupon theYWCAofHamilton/Burlington. It was there that she was surrounded by determined women of all cultures, experience, age and ability that had the same goals in mind - empowering women and girls, pro- viding more opportunities to the female gender and to raise the profile and the level of programming for the YWCA so they could reachmore women who needed them. This March she will be amongst hundreds of women nomi- nated for a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for the work that shehasdone forHaltonWomen's Place andher communi- ty. For this recognition it is fitting that the themeof International Women's Day is about those who changed gender equality in her life. It started therebut it has not stopped. She saysHaltonWom- en's Place has been the perfect place for her to continue to ad- vocate for gender equality and respect. HaltonWomen'sPlace Carm Bozzo , Deve lopment Manager 2211BrantStreet,#20060,Burlington 905-332-1200