International Women’s Day events in Hamilton, March 7 and 8
International Women’s Day falls on March 8, and communities around the world are planning events to celebrate it. Here are some of the events planned for the Hamilton region on March 7 and 8.
March 7:
It’s Time To End Violence Against Women
What: Working together with the Sexual Assault Centre for Hamilton and Area (SACHA), YWCA Hamilton is launching a campaign for a new project aimed at engaging young people to prevent violence against women on university and college campuses.
When: March 7, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: McMaster University Student Centre Atrium
Why Gender? Empowering Women in the Fight Against Homelessness conference
What: The Status of Women Committee of Hamilton and Women’s Homelessness Planning Collaborative are hosting a conference featuring guest speaker Beth Jorden. The event will seek to understand the context of women and homelessness. Register ahead of time for the event by calling 905-522-1148 ext. 311 or send an email to rwetselaar@sprc.hamilton.on.ca.
When: March 7, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Banquet Centre
March 8:
SACHA’s Diverse Women United: Changing The World Step By Step
What: SACHA and YWCA Hamilton are working together on this event that will celebrate International Women’s Day, featuring guest speakers, displays, and entertainment.
When: March 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Gymnasium at YWCA Hamilton MacNab Street location
YWCA Hamilton Totally Awesome Young Women’s Breakfast
What: Hamilton’s YWCA is inviting over 200 high school girls to attend the annual Jill Rumble Totally Awesome Young Women’s Breakfast, during which they will listen to guest speakers and take part in activities tackling self-image, bullying and safety. Erin Crickett of SACHA is this year’s keynote speaker and she will be discussing the power of words, as well as showcasing her YouTube work aimed at countering hate speech and encouraging talking about ourselves positively. Register by emailing Ashley at amikitzel@ywcahamilton.org.
When: March 8, 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: 52 Ottawa Street North
Status Quo? Film Showing
What: The Canadian Federation of University Women Hamilton is screening a new National Film Board (NFB) documentary about feminism in Canada.
When: March 8, 2 p.m.
Where: Grace Church Hall, 1107 Main Street West
The Friends of the Wilkie Family picket
What: The Friends of the Wilkie Family plans to hold an informational picket at the Federal Building in downtown Hamilton on International Women's Day to demand the release of Wafaa Abdou. Wafaa is the Egyptian wife of Ian Wilkie, a Hamilton native, and mother of their three children.
Wafa has been held for deportation from Canada at the Immigration Detention Centre in Mississauga since January 14, 2013. She fled with her Canadian family from Syria, where Ian taught English As A Second Language for an U.S. company, early in 2011 when the civil war there broke out. Upon the family's arrival in Canada, Ian tried to sponsor his Egyptian wife, who arrived with a visitor's visa, for landed immigrant status. On January 14, during a routine visit to the Mississauga immigration centre, Wafaa was arrested and placed in the immigration detention centre and held for immediate deportation. A hearing for Wafaa has been scheduled for March 20.
When: The informational picket will take place on Friday, March 8, 2013, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 55 Bay Street North in front of the Federal Building, where Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has its Hamilton office.
SHE In All Her Guises
What: Factory Media Gallery Exhibition Series and the NFB are also airing Status Quo? and celebrating women via the art of film.
When: March 8th, 5:30 p.m. – 11pm
Where: Factory Media Centre, 228 James Street North
Halton Women’s Place Public Luncheon
What: A luncheon to celebrate International Women’s Day featuring guest speaker Sheila Copps. Tickets are $10 and reservations can be made at 905-332-1200 or admin@haltonwomensplace.com.
When: March 8th, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Burlington Centre for Performing Arts
Amplifying and Accelerating the Power of Womyn
What: Hosted by the School of Graduate Studies, the Anti-Violence Network of McMaster University presents keynote speaker Kim Crosby.
When: March 8th, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Convocation Hall (University Hall, 2nd floor) at McMaster University
Mohawk College
Mohawk College is celebrating International Women’s Day with several events, organized by Mohawk professor Sue Prestedge, the first and only woman to win a Foster Hewitt Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting. She won the award for her work with the CBC during the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
The Shoe Project
What: Presented by the Bata Shoe Museum, the Shoe Project tells the story of immigrant women by showcasing the shoes they were wearing when they immigrated to Canada. Along with three other women featured in the project, Katherine Govier of the Bata Shoe Museum will be attending this event at Mohawk College.
When: March 8, 10:45 a.m.
Where: C Wing Atrium, Mohawk College’s Fennell Campus
Carpenter Kate Q&A
What: Kate Campbell of the HGTV shows Decked Out, Deck Wars, and Holmes On Homes will be speaking with technology students in the morning, followed by a Q&A in the Arnie student pub.
When: March 8. The open Q&A is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: The Arnie, Mohawk College’s Fennell Campus