By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On March 3, the United Way Halton and Hamilton (UWHH) and Women United held an event at AB Sports Bar to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Women United is a United Way organization that focuses on empowering and advocating for women in the community.
The event featured several keynote speakers including Team Canada Olympian Jackie Boyle and executive director of Shifra Homes, Nancy Romic.
Kristen Jacob, vice president of marketing and communications for UWHH, said that the celebration was the fastest sold-out International Women’s Day event that the UWHH has organized.
“We had to cap it off at 150 attendees,” Jacob said.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year was “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality.” Attendees were encouraged to donate menstrual hygiene products at the event as well, as a part of their Period Promise program.
Jacob elaborated on the program.
“It’s a program that aims to get menstrual equity for women across all communities in Canada,” Jacob said. “Individuals in the community can either donate period products or donate financially. We also have contracts that we run with different businesses in the local community where we ask business owners to supply free female menstrual products in their washrooms.”
“We know that period poverty is absolutely a cause for concern in Halton and Hamilton,” Jacob continued.
Maria Artuso and Erica Gallinger, co-chairs of Women United, took the stage after guests had a chance to have dinner and network with other women. Artuso spoke about the challenges that women still face in the present day and about following the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day.
“Women around the world continue to face barriers in areas such as pay equity, health care, education, and personal safety,” Artuso said. “And here in our very own communities, many experience disparities that prevent them from reaching their full potential. And so today is really an opportunity for us not just to celebrate one another, but to inspire action. Let’s accelerate our efforts to make sure that we leave a better world for the women and girls who will follow us.”
Gallinger said that each Women United member commits a minimum of $1200 a year to UWHH, to support women and their families in our community. She encouraged attendees to seek out those wearing Women United’s purple shirts and inquire about membership.
Gallinger also said that for every four dollars donated during the night, one dollar would be matched by community members and organizations.
Boyle then sat down for an interview with Cole about her experience at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. She spoke about the importance of simply having confidence, especially for women in male-dominated spaces.
“I was never the most talented athlete,” Boyle said. “I was the most hard-working, the most resilient. I just want young women to understand that if you have that perseverance and persistence, you will go far.”
Romic then took Boyle’s place as interviewee and talked about her journey with Shifra Homes. Romic said that she wanted Shifra to be more than just a shelter for young pregnant women but a place where they could get the support they needed.
“A lot of times, these are generational cycles,” Romic said. “And unless we break them as a community and society, their future children are going to be battling and living in the same conditions.”
Pam Damoff, MP for Oakville North-Burlington, was also in attendance and gave her thoughts on the gathering.
“United Way does incredible work on its own, but having an event to highlight women and the need for support for women, I just think it’s really important to highlight that and shine a light on the specific needs,” Damoff said.
“It’s amazing,’ Damoff continued. “I wish we had events like this all year, not just all jammed into one week. But I think it’s fantastic that so many people have come out tonight.”
Jacob said that UWHH is going to try and expand the event in the future.
“We’re thinking of making it even bigger and more substantial next year and looking for different venues that may want to partner with us so that we can have an even bigger capacity and be able to support the community even further,” Jacob said.
