In recognition of inequities that women continue to face, including the disproportionate violence suffered by women, the Town of Collingwood has once again partnered on this observance with My Friend’s House, Collingwood’s safe haven for abused women and their children.
Next, take in the Women in Local History Project, a downtown lamppost exhibit, highlighting Women in Local History from March 4th to 13th. Ten signs celebrating business owners, war-workers, medical professionals, and sports heroes will be displayed along Hurontario Street. This exhibit is produced in partnership with the Collingwood Museum and Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum.
Also taking place March 4th to 13th, the Collingwood Downtown Business Improvement Area is celebrating phenomenal women-led businesses that are an integral part of the fabric of Collingwood’s wonderful downtown core. Woman Behind the Business Posters will be hung in business windows throughout the downtown, featuring pictures of the amazing female entrepreneurs behind the businesses and information about the why behind their ventures. All posters will also be available online linked to the Collingwood Downtown website for you to read at your leisure as you discover the depth of the female entrepreneurial spirit in our community. As you explore downtown, you will also receive a free gift with purchase from participating merchants; Bookmarks with quotes by female Canadian poets/songwriters have been distributed and many will also include a unique incentive from each business.
On March 8th, a Virtual Panel Discussion will take place at 12:00 p.m. All are welcome to register for this free Zoom event featuring a panel of extraordinary individuals who will share their experiences and facilitate an open discussion exploring what it means to #BreakTheBias of gender inequity, this year’s IWD theme.
This year’s speakers are:
- Marcia Alderson, a singer, real estate agent, advocate for change in the black community in Collingwood, and a proud member of the Unity Collective poised to inspire world change, community growth and the acceptance of all people all day, everyday.
- Muckpaloo Ipeelie, an Inuit cultural teacher, public speaker, and owner/operator of “The Urban Inuit Identity Project”. Muckpaloo is a Medical Laboratory Technologist helping to bridge the gap between Inuit people and the circle of care by being proactive against systemic racism and changing the stigma against Indigenous people.
- Dr. Marissa Rodway-Norman, a senior psychiatrist with more than 30 years of clinical experience and has assisted or lead research resulting in the establishment of the North Simcoe Muskoka Trans Health Care Hub of Orillia. She has also spear-headed educational opportunities about trans-medicine and has served as a research consultant to the Gilbert Centre of Barrie, Laurentian University, and the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health.
- Jill Proud, the facilitator of the session, who has coached and mentored high achieving leaders from seasoned entrepreneurs to Olympic athletes for over 20 years and launched the Women Presidents’ Organization South Georgian Bay Chapter.
- My Friend’s House https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/70321
- Ontario SPCA https://ontariospca.ca
- Tungasuvvingat Ottawa www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/23755
- St. Joe’s Women’s Centre https://stjoeswomenscentre.org/donations
The Town will honour this year’s International Women's Day (March 8) with a series of special initiatives dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
Learn more: https://t.co/UzsaCXzAJ2#BreakTheBias pic.twitter.com/zXyhRVOjjN
— Town of Collingwood (@TownCollingwood) February 23, 2022