International Women's Day
An international celebration of education and empowerment
Around the world, International Women's Day, always celebrated on 8 March, marks a celebration of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements for women. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. Women in every country, often divided by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate this important date that represents equality, justice, peace and development.
International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women seeking to participate equally in society on an equal footing with men. Until women are fully represented at senior leadership levels of public, professional and economic life, women do not have equal rights nor an equal voice.
Baha'is emphasize the United Nations International Women's Day because it recognizes and promotes the contribution of women to the betterment of societies all around the world. Baha'is believe that unless and until women achieve their equal and rightful status working alongside of men in all realms of human endeavor: political, economic, social and religious, world peace can never be established. Learn more »
A Local Commemoration . . .
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Cornerstone Hall, Tache Street
The St. Albert Bahá'í community is proud to sponsor the 12th annual celebration of International Women’s Day. The awards recognize women of St. Albert and Sturgeon County who have made outstanding contributions to our communities.
This Year's Recipients: Women Who Make a Difference
- Nicole Vranas — Outstanding Youth who Educates Youth
- Tilly Mallard — Unsung heroine
- Hon. Dr. Thelma Chalifoux — Education, Preservation and Elevation of the Culture
- Jane Spaans — Pioneer RCMP, Service
- Heidi Alther — Arts
Keynote Address: JUDIE BOPP, PH.D.
Listening with an Ear for Change. This year's talk will focus on the kinds of changes that need to be made at all levels of society so that the most vulnerable women can live with dignity and health.
Judie is a co-founder of Four Worlds International, and is currently a director of the Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning. Judie is a specialist in curriculum design and development and organizational transformation. She is well known for her expertise in culturally based and experiential learning, and has designed and written numerous learning programs for schools, colleges, and adult training programs.
She has provided training, technical support and evaluation services related to program development and organizational change to many different types of groups, ranging from the ministries of national governments to small non-governmental organizations. She has worked in Asia, the South Pacific, Africa, the former Soviet Union, the Caribbean and Indigenous North America. She has also provided technical support to many Canadian and American professional organizations and Indigenous communities.
Judie has recently co-authored (with Michael Bopp) a basic text on community development entitled "Recreating the World: a practical guide to building sustainable communities". She was also a principal researcher and author of the following studies: "Aboriginal Domestic Violence in Canada" (funded by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, "Mapping the Healing Journey" (funded by the Aboriginal Policy Unit of Solicitor General Canada and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation), "Community Healing and Social Security Reform" (funded by the Assembly of First Nations); and "Responding to Sexual Abuse: Development a Community-based Sexual Abuse Response Team in Aboriginal Communities (funded by the Aboriginal Policy Unit of Solicitor General Canada).