It’s International Women’s Day 2021! This is a global day we celebrate annually to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while also recommitting ourselves to the necessary structural and social changes needed to make full equality possible.
This year’s theme is: #ChooseToChallenge! Challenging the status quo is one of the hardest things to do, but it’s what leads to progress and eventually change. So, everyone’s encouraged to raise their hand up high to show their support and “choose to challenge” gender bias and inequality. We all have the opportunity and responsibility to take a stand for what’s right so we can help create a more inclusive world.
Want to hear a secret…?!
International Women’s Day is extra special to me in 2021 because I co-authored a new book called: “Pursuit 365”, which was just released on March 8th! The book is a beautiful collaboration written by 365 Canadian women from coast to coast and in all walks of life. It even features famous Canadians like Jann Arden, Bif Naked and Tosca Reno.
I’ll be featured on May 16th, which is a day I handpicked because it marks my transition into motherhood when my eldest son Jett was born! My initiation into motherhood wasn’t a happily-ever-after mother and baby, bubbles and bliss, cuddles and coos type of experience, though. Motherhood for me quickly became single motherhood and, within only a few short months, my world was unexpectantly turned upside down. As hard as this setback was emotionally, it proved to be a powerful catalyst that launched the starting point of my transformation into a full-fledged unicorn – where I discovered my wings, found my freedom and created a magical life beyond my wildest dreams! My hope is that my message in Pursuit 365 will inspire and empower many others to find their wings, create a life on their own terms and feel free to live up to their truest potential.
True progress takes time
Even as I write these words and feel happy for how far I’ve traveled throughout my journey as a woman, I’m saddened to still hear comments from certain people who continually question why it’s necessary to even have an International Women’s Day in this “modern” world. There are some who think women have already attained equality and we would be best to simmer down with all this equal rights talk.
But, according to the World Economic Forum, the somber facts remain that none of us will see gender parity in our lifetimes, nor even in our children’s lifetimes. In fact, it’s believed that gender parity won’t be realized for almost a century, which means there’s plenty more work to do and it’s work that must be done by all.
World renowned feminist, journalist and activist Gloria Steinem once explained: “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
I’m eternally grateful for the courageous women before me who fought for my rights and I’ll continue to express my gratitude by using my voice, choosing to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. I hope you will too.
Happy International Women’s Day!