The Zonta Club of Oakville CELEBRATES International Women’s Day
Zonta International envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman can achieve her full potential. Zonta International has provided training, education, health, sanitation, agricultural and micro-credit assistance to women around the world, particularly through projects implemented by the agencies of the United Nations and other recognized non-governmental organizations. Zonta International has been celebrating International Women’s Day since it was chartered in 1919. Please visit www.zonta.org for more information about Zonta International.
We at the Zonta Club of Oakville work to advance the status of women locally and internationally through advocacy and service. We are a proud group of local women who strive to empower, inspire and celebrate women. The Zonta Club of Oakville is a member of Zonta International and of AWH — Advancement of Women Halton — a collaborative of 21 groups supporting gender equality at all levels of government.
The Zonta Club of Oakville recognizes the vital importance of our local partners in carrying out our mission. As such, the proceeds from our 2022 International Women’s Day Campaign will be donated to local and women’s charities. Your support will assist our local partners in providing emergency housing, financial aid, educational support, and mental and physical health services to women in need. Please visit us at zontaoakville.org.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY — 1911
March 8 is International Women’s Day. On this day, since 1911, countries all around the world celebrate the achievements of women while also acknowledging their ongoing quest for gender equality.
ALL AROUND THE WORLD — MARCH 8TH
International Women’s Day is an official holiday in Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia.
In some countries, such as Cameroon, Croatia, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Chile, the day is not a public holiday, but is widely observed nonetheless. On this day it is customary for men to give the women in their lives — friends, mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues, etc. — flowers and small gifts.
In some countries (such as Bulgaria and Romania) it is also observed as an equivalent of Mother’s Day, where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers. In Russia, the day has lost all political context through the time and has become simply a day to honour women and feminine beauty.
The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day in the International Women’s Year, 1975. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.
MARCH 8TH IS ALSO ZONTA ROSE DAY
The Zonta Club of Oakville has been celebrating International Women’s Day since the Club’s inception in 1973. For Zonta members March 8 is not only International Women’s Day, it’s also Zonta Rose Day. Many of us take the opportunity to give cards, gifts, and yellow roses to the special women in our lives — plus make donations in their honour.
Over the years the Oakville club has hosted many different types of events to raise awareness of International Women’s Day and support the movement of women’s rights. Perhaps one of our most memorable events was our “Paint the Town Yellow” campaign. It started in Oakville and caught on to other local cities — such as, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton and Toronto — and across the border in Pennsylvania and New York. The Zonta Club of Oakville has proudly hosted speaking events, dinners and more recently, our Zonta Celebrates Dinner Gala at the Burlington Convention Centre. In 2019, we welcomed keynote speaker Canadian Olympian Catriona Le May Doan, and in 2020, technology leader Amber Mac. These last two galas combined raised $75,000 for Oakville Hospital Foundation.
IWD 2021 switched gears, and created a new celebration – #ZontaRoses! A large arch was erected in the Oakville Towne Square for everyone to visit, take photos under the arch and post photos on social media. This was done alongside the promotion of beautiful Zonta Rose cards. Thanks to YOU and the generosity of match donors June and Ian IWD 2021 raised $70,300.00!
IWD 2022 once again had an ARCH on display in the Oakville Towne Square! Zonta will also be hosted a live Human Trafficking Community Awareness Event – May 4, 2022, with an expert panel of guests discussing Sex Trafficking awareness and prevention.
IWD 2023 for the third year will have the ARCH in downtown Oakville in addition we are very happy to be back to having a live event on March 1st, at Film.ca – https://offa.ca/iwd-2023/
For the Zonta Club of Oakville, International Women’s Day and Zonta Rose Day mark a moment of time to recognize and honour the local women making a difference in our community.