105 attended the 13th Annual International Women's Day Luncheon in 91原创 on Saturday.
13th annual International Women's Day luncheon in 91原创 drew 105
鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)
This year鈥檚 theme was 鈥淎ccelerate Action鈥� to address pay inequity between men and women.
Emcee Linda Mross pointed to stats that suggest, at the current rate, it will be another five generations before full gender parity is achieved.
鈥淭he short version is that there's a lot that needs to be done,鈥� Mross remarked.
Keynote speaker Beverlee Rasmussen, a single mom who launched a successful travel agency before switching to become a business coach, talked about women and equity "and how far we've come and how far we still need to go.鈥�
Rasmussen said it wasn't that long ago, in the 1960s, when a bank could refuse to issue a credit card to an unmarried woman, and even if she was married, her husband was required to co-sign.
Most professional careers were closed to women鈥攎edicine, law, engineering, and finance were dominated by men, and women faced explicit hiring discrimination.
Pregnancy was a fireable offense.
"This was the reality for women in the 60鈥檚. Legal rights, financial independence, and career opportunities were out of reach," Rassmussen said.
"We take for granted the freedoms and rights women have fought for. And yet, around the world, those rights are being clawed back," Rasmussen warned.
"I lived in a world where a man鈥檚 control over a woman wasn鈥檛 just expected鈥攊t was enforced. Not by laws, but by the unspoken rules of power, dependency, and fear," said Rasmussen, who described leaving her first marriage due to domestic violence.
"We, as women, have more power than we realize, and we must use it 鈥� not to fight men, not to claim dominance, but to create a world where we can thrive together," Rasmussen told the audience.
Dr. Geeta Gupta was recognized with the Woman of Distinction Award (Unsung Heroes), described as 鈥渁 compassionate family doctor and maternity care provider鈥� and a driving force behind 91原创 Foundry, which provides mental health support, addiction services and guidance for local youth.
Her 鈥渦nwavering commitment to healthcare and education has made a lasting impact on both patients and future medical professionals,鈥� the award account stated.
The event was sponsored by Rotary Club of 91原创, Rotary Club of 91原创 Sunrise, Rotary Club of 91原创 Central, Rotary Club of Abbotsford, and CMB Lawyers.
Funds raised by the luncheon supported Ishtar Women鈥檚 Resource Society PEACE Counselling Program
Township Mayor Eric Woodward drew applause when he mentioned the municipality has one f the the highest percentage of female counsellors, 鈥渁nd the work continues to one day have that be a majority.鈥�
"There's so many fabulous women mayors, so many fabulous women counsellors that I get a chance to work with on a regular basis. And it's great to see all of those contributions and everybody working together across gender lines every day to make not only 91原创 a better place, but also all of Metro Vancouver a better place as well."
