GUELPH – International Women’s Day is an annual celebration on March 8 that pushes for women’s rights and honours their achievements.
This year’s theme is “For all women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
According to the United Nations, the theme “calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.
“Central to this vision is empowering the next generation – youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls – as catalysts for lasting change.”
People in Guelph celebrated with a rally, drag show, dancing and a self-care workshop.
The event was organized by Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis (GWWIC) in partnership with the Canadian Federation of University Women, the Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity, the University of Guelph’s Wellness Centre, the YMCA of Three Rivers, Zonta Guelph and Women That Give.
It was sponsored by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation.
People gathered on the Veteran’s Bridge in downtown Guelph as part of an international “Join Me on the Bridge” campaign that started in 2010 when women gathered on a bridge connecting Rwanda with the Democratic Republic of Congo to call for peace and equity. Photo by Robin George
Participants kicked things off by gathering on Veterans Memorial Bridge and dropping a banner over the railing. Many cars passing under the bridge honked their horns in support after the banner dropped.
The rally was part of an international “Join Me on the Bridge” campaign that started in 2010 with women gathering on a bridge between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to call for peace and equity.
GWWIC representative Cindy McMann talked to the crowd about how women’s rights have been moving in the wrong direction recently, “But we cannot let that move us from hope to fear.”
She said International Women’s Day goes beyond closing the gender pay gap.
“It’s about addressing the real current and extreme forms of violence that women, girls and gender diverse people face at disproportionate rates,” McMann said.
Cindy McMann from Women in Crisis talked to participants on March 8 – International Women’s Day. She said the world has seen women’s rights tumble back in recent years, “but we cannot let that move us from hope to fear.” Photo by Robin George
“Things have tumbled back” for women in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she said, and the Canadian government’s “response has been underwhelming.”
Women in Afghanistan “are not allowed to be heard outside, even in prayer,” she said, and rights for women and gender diverse people in the U.S. are devolving fast, with “gender diversity wiped off the map” and reproduction rights rolled back.
Through community, McMann said, people have the power to resist.
She described the people gathered in Guelph as “one finger of one hand of one body of people who will never shut up” in their advocacy for women’s rights.
McMann then invited attendees to march together for a celebration at 10C Shared Space, and reminded them that “resistance can be joyful – joy is resistance.”
When they arrived at 10C participants were met by a lone counter-protester with a cardboard sign affixed to his head and a camera in his hand. His sign read “children can’t consent” and he yelled at women and girls as they entered the building, asking them if they believe trans women are women.
The second portion of the event kicked off with poetry from Katrina Stephany, “a disabled and autistic trans beauty-maker, poet, performer and visual artist” who is actively engaged in 2SLGBTQIA+ social justice, activism and art therapy.
Katrina Stephany shared poems about her experience as a trans woman from her book of poetry, with Cindy McMann holding the microphone. Photo by Robin George
Next was a drag show with performances from Guelph-based drag queens Chimaera, Kamilla Flores and Kween Kara Melle.
Chimaera led the drag performance and said, “My drag is truly a love letter to the strong, important women in my life.”
Chimaera is the first ever drag queen to win a National Award at the Canadian Psychology Association Conference for her research in validating drag as a form of employment.
She invited the audience to ask the queens questions about drag, gender identity and expression.
In answer to audience questions, Chimaera talked about how “amazing support from strong female friends” gave her the courage to start performing drag. “They really encouraged me to go try,” she said.
Kamilla said while her family did not support her in exploring her gender identity, her female friends and other women in her community made her feel safe to be herself – “authentically who I am.”
One audience member asked for advice about how to get into performing drag themself, and the queens encouraged them to play around with makeup with female friends and offered to help them figure out their drag name.
Guelph drag queens, from left, Chimaera, Kamilla Flores and Kween Kara Melle performed at the International Women’s Day event in Guelph on March 8. “Our drag is truly in support of women, their strength, their courage, and all they stand for,” Chimaera said. Photo by Robin George
Kamilla said the most beautiful thing about drag is “the community itself,” and how everyone supports each other when they’re in need.
“Anyone who comes up against us will come up against the full force of the queens and the kings and the things,” Kamilla said.
She encouraged attendees to seek out drag shows in their own communities, noting they’re happening everywhere – even in small towns.
“Us being in any space is a political statement,” Kara Melle added – and that’s something that feels like a superpower to her.
The queens’ set included Beyonce’s Run the World (Girls), Whitney Houston’s I’m Every Woman, and a Spice Girls medley.
Binty Koroma of Afro-Tribal Dance offered a performance and dancing workshop with her children, Jojo and Sierra.
Binty worked a night shift at a nursing home the night before the performance, and said “that’s how dedicated we are – women are just that.”
Binty Koroma of Afro-Tribal Dance offered an energetic performance and dancing workshop.
Afro-Tribal Dance is a not-for-profit organization that offers authentic and modern African dance, arts and music.
Binty grew up in Sierra Leone, where she performed with a dance group called Igara.
The event concluded with a self care workshop from U of G wellness educator Rebecca Skelhorn.
She said self care can includes self soothing practices such as bubble baths but also things like setting boundaries, nurturing relationships, attending counselling and “taking time to rest without guilt.”
She said benefits of self care include reduced stress, anxiety and burnout, increased self-esteem, focus and productivity, and stronger relationships.
Food, drinks and free henna were provided throughout the event by Women That Give, a charity that aims to enhance the lives of marginalized women, survivors of gender based violence and women in need and their families.
