Come and see who will receive the coveted 2001 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY EQUALITY RECOGNITION AWARDS, presented by the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Everyone is invited to join in the celebrations, that include speakers, Ann Wheatley and Sharon Gallant of PEI People First, and entertainment by The Cheveries. The 8th annual "Brown Bag Luncheon" event begins at 12 noon on Thursday, March 8th at the Arts Guild in Charlottetown. For further information about the event or the awards, call Heidi Rankin of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women at (902) 368-4510, or peiacsw@isn.net by email.
For 2001, the Advisory Council introduces a new Special Recognition Award that will be presented annually on International Women's Day. This year the Advisory Council has chosen "inclusion" as the focus area for this award. Every year the focus area will change and reflect significant contributions made to women's equality issues. Ann Wheatley and Sharon Gallant, with PEI People First, will speak on i ssues surrounding inclusion. Gallant, a member of PEI People First, which is a self-advocacy group for persons with intellectual disabilities states that "people need to recognize that women with disabilities have the same rights as other women - to be safe, to care for our children, to have choices - but sometimes we have to fight even harder to get those rights because people see your disability and they treat you differently - this award is a great idea."
The PEI Advisory Council initiated the International Women's Day Awards in 1994. The winners are selected by a Committee from among public nominations. Members of this year's EQUALITY Recognition Awards Selection Committee included representatives from the East Prince Women's Information Centre (EPWIC), PEI Federated Women's Institute, Women's Network PEI, L'Association des Acadiennes et Francophones de I'I-P-E, PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the Island's business community, and an advocate for persons with disabilities.
International Women's Day is celebrated every year throughout the world on or around March 8th. Steeped in a history of women's struggles for equality, it has come to symbolize women's efforts to shape a better world. The origins of the day can be traced back to the early 20th century when women in both North America and Europe were fighting for better working conditions, demanding the right to vote, and as the First World War escalated, calling for peace. In 1977, a United Nations' resolution was passed calling for countries to celebrate a day for women's rights and international peace. Although the origins of International Women's Day seem to be drawn from more than one event in 'herstory', the meaning of the day has remained clear over the decades. As the need continues for a day to reflect on women's progress and to consider future actions, it is likely that International Women's Day will be celebrated for many years to come.
For more information, contact: Heidi Rankin, 368-4510, peiacsw@isn.net