Executive Council
March 8, 2011
International Women’s Day Reaches Centennial Anniversary
Today marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. This year’s national theme, Girls’ Rights Matter, focuses on the importance of equality and access to opportunities for all girls and women throughout their lives.
International Women’s Day was first recognized in some European countries in 1911. In 1977, the United Nations called on its member countries to proclaim a day recognizing women’s rights. Canada selected March 8 as International Women’s Day. Each year on this day and throughout the month of March, women in Canada celebrate the progress that has been made, reflect on the challenges that remain and consider future steps to achieving equality for all women.
“I encourage all women in Newfoundland and Labrador to join women across the world in celebrating their accomplishments and raising awareness about the ongoing fight for equality and inclusion,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. “The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day supports our vision as a government to create awareness of the opportunities for girls and young women in our public and private sectors. Linking girls and young women to these vast opportunities is essential in the province’s continued economic and social development. Taking action through industry partnerships, supporting innovative learning experiences, and developing targeted programs are some of the ways the Provincial Government is advancing this agenda.”
Minister Sullivan joined the St. John’s Status of Women Council to officially proclaim March 8 as International Women’s Day and will be delivering the keynote address at the Status of Women Central’s International Women’s Day event on March 10.
“The 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day gives us an opportunity to both reflect on the many achievements of women and also look towards the future as we work towards having more women benefit from our province’s economic growth,” said Linda Ross, President, Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women. “It’s important that we continue to encourage women to enter the skilled trades, occupations in industry and technology, and to encourage women to enter leadership positions within our province. In celebrating the achievements of women we must also look at the futures of our young women, encouraging and supporting young women to reach their fullest potential.
From March 3-25, there are many events scheduled to celebrate International Women’s Day. For example, Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve et-Labrador, the province’s francophone school board, held an event to introduce girls to non-traditional occupations through francophone women in their communities. The Gateway Status of Women Council hosted the Annual Bread & Roses Dinner in Port aux Basques on March 6. The International Women in Oil and Gas Conference, hosted by the Harris Centre at Memorial University, will officially open today, March 8. For more details of events, please contact the local Status of Women Councils listed in the backgrounder below.
“It is great to see women and men of all ages in our province embrace this day and to celebrate the accomplishments that women have made in society,” said Minister Sullivan. “The progress of women in Newfoundland and Labrador represents the encouragement, insight, and perseverance of strong women who reside in our communities. While we continue to make progress, the Provincial Government recognizes that we need to continue to work with our community partners to raise the bar and achieve full equality.”
The Provincial Government invests significantly in advancing women’s issues, including $451,000 annually to assist the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women and $926,000 for the province’s eight Status of Women councils. The councils use this funding to bring increased attention to the social, economic, political, legal and cultural issues faced by women.
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Photo #1: The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, joined community organizations to officially proclaim March 8th International Women’s Day in Newfoundland and Labrador (left to right: Mary Shortall, Canadian Labour Congress, Nicole Kieley, St. John’s Status of Women Council, and Karen White, St. John’s Labour District Council)
Media contacts:
| Melissa MacLeod Communications Specialist Women’s Policy Office 709-729-6225, 693-7938 melissamacleod@gov.nl.ca |
| Leisha Sagan Communications and Outreach Director Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women 709-753-6007 leishasagan@pacsw.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Newfoundland and Labrador Status of Women Councils Contact List
The St. John's Status of Women Council and Women's Centre
150 LeMarchant Road, St. John's, NL A1A 2H2
709-753-0220
sjswc@nl.rogers.com
www.sjswc.ca 
Mokami Status of Women Council
Glenn Plaza - Hamilton River Road, P.O. Box 329, St. B, Happy Valley - Goose Bay, NL A0P 1E0
709-896-3484
mokamiwomen@nf.aibn.com
Bay St. George Status of Women Council
P.O. Box 501, Stephenville, NL A2N 3B4
709-643-4444
bsgswc@nf.aibn.com
Corner Brook Status of Women Council
P.O. Box 373, 2 Carmen Avenue, Corner Brook, NL A2H 6E3
709-639-8522
info@cbwomenscentre.com
www.cbwomenscentre.com
Gander Status of Women Council
1st Floor Polaris Building, 61 Elizabeth Drive, Gander, NL A1V 1G4
709-256-4395
women.gander@nf.aibn.com
Gateway Status of Women Council
P.O. Box 1359, 4 Anderson’s Lane, Port Aux Basques, NL A0M 1C0
709-695-7505
gswc@nf.aibn.com
Labrador Status of Women Council
P.O. Box 171, Labrador City, NL A2V 2K5
709-944-6562
lwsw@crrstv.net
Status of Women Central
11 Hardy Avenue, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P8
709-489-8919
women@nfld.net
2011 03 08 9:45 a.m.