International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity (the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender). Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.
Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to:
- celebrate women’s achievements
- raise awareness about women’s equality
- lobby for accelerated gender parity
- fundraise for female-focused charities
What’s the theme for International Women’s Day?
The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is ‘Choose to Challenge’. A challenged world is an alert world. And from challenge comes change. So, let’s all #ChooseToChallenge.
Celebrating One of Our Own!
Maria Ciarlandini, our Community Support Ambassador, has been named a finalist in the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce and NewRoads Automotive Group annual Women of Excellence Awards! Presented on March 9th, at the annual Celebration of Women virtual event, the Women of Excellence Awards are described as a mix of inspiration, resilience, and triumph, as well as a tribute to influential women in the community.
Maria has been an inspirational community leader for a long time but since joining Vince’s Market in April of 2016, she has been able build upon the existing legacy of community mindedness, adding new challenges and tactics to help support our friends and neighbours.
Throughout her years as Ambassador, the Community Support team at Vince’s has been able to sponsor numerous events and organizations. A few highlights include the Cedar Centre Gala, NewRoads Girls Night Out, the S.O.S. (Support our Shelters) campaign, Random Acts of Vince’s, and the Big Bike for Heart & Stroke, just to name a few. She has danced in the annual Dancing with the Easter Seals Stars, helped to build a playground for a child in need with Million Dollar Smiles, planted trees, curled to raise money for the Newmarket Pantry, and led the team through the purchase, preparation, and serving of the Community Meal at Inn from the Cold numerous times.
She has helped Vince’s Market spearhead the Community Product Initiative where customers are able to purchase a highlighted product, with 15% of the sales of that product given to an annual recipient. This program has raised over $70000 for local organizations and also influences the grocery industry via the vendors to participate in giving back. This year’s recipient is the Southlake Hospital Mental Health campaign.
“I take my role of Ambassador very seriously,” says Maria, “and know that each day I’m given an opportunity to make a difference. I am grateful to be in this position and at the end of each day, I hope that my actions will inspire others like my children, the Vince’s team, and our communities.”
If you’d like to buy tickets to the event, where proceeds go to the Women’s Centre of York Region, you can purchase them here.
Let’s catch up soon,
Julie
