The importance of continuing National Women’s Day, a tradition with international roots dating back to 1909, has drawn varying viewpoints.
Kristina McInnis, an entrepreneur based in Portland, Ore., said it is important simply because she believes in equality.
“For whatever reason (when) anyone says the word ‘feminist’ people think of burning bras and hating men,” said McInnis.
“I love men and I do love myself a good bra. I take it in a sense of empowering everyone. Promoting women is good for everyone. I want to help women and band together not against anyone, but for ourselves.
Caitlin Whelan, a musician and puppeteer in St. John’s, Nfld., agrees.
“Representation of women is highly skewed and bias,” said Whelan. “The expectation for women to act a particular way … endangers everyone and plays a significant role in creating barriers for women within workplace and community matters.”
Raven Sage, content producer for National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education, has a different viewpoint.
“The reason I am not really a feminist or have a dark side to it is because I am indigenous,” said Sage “ And women were allowed to vote before indigenous people were allowed to vote and I find it very offensive… So I’m for all people rather than just women or just men.”
Women’s Day evidently started in Canada during the Suffragette Movement of the early 1900s when women working for the right to vote.
It was not until October of 1929 that women were declared “persons” under the law.
Because of these steps towards equality, institutions like The Women’s Centre exist.
Jill Arnott, Executive Director of the Women’s Centre at the University of Regina, believes the centre is something that is needed for many reasons.
“Women still feel at risk,” said Arnott.
“Men who may fall out of the norm or struggle with the ideas of masculinity (also) need a place to go where they know that they will be accepted and where they can ask questions.”
Arnott had had the male student in her classes write papers on their shame for using sexist behavior and language and questioning why there are no better role models for them as men.
“Our equality cannot be based on sameness,” Whelan said. “It does away with the unique vision and understanding of life that manifests through differences. Our equality should be based on the fact of our differences.”
Sage hopes there will be equality one day, but as a minority she believes there is a lot of work to be done.
McInnis believes equality can only be achieved by having those uncomfortable conversations
“Talk about it … but also set actionable steps to get shit done,” McInnis said “You want equality? start showing up. Start speaking up … If you cannot find a seat at the table then make your own damn table and figure out exactly how you want it to look. Start moving. Get a group of women together. Write to Congress. Write a blog. Offer to share your opinion on podcasts.”
She also feels that as an entrepreneur that puts her in a unique position when it comes to equality.
“My business, Blooming Bloggers, is built on supporting one another and small business,,” said McInnis. “It is all about collaborating and helping one another …”
“That means to me that there is a huge market of people that need that support and help. The fact I am able to do that and give them that needed support makes me feel like everything I am doing is worthwhile. Being a woman is such a strength in my business. Being a woman is an asset.”
Sage and Arnott both agreed that it is important to raise their young sons to believe in equality to make the world a safer and better place for everyone.
This year for Women’s Day the centre hosted Laila Alawa, CEO and founder of The Tempest a digital media company to give a talk.
