International Women’s Day ~ March 8, 2021 ~ #ChooseToChallenge

Monday, March 8, 2021, is celebrated worldwide and is a day to recognize the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls. It is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights, including safe working conditions and pay equity. It is a day that celebrates womanhood in all its forms.
The theme for IWD 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of the word challenge is “to confront or defy boldly.” We can look at that definition, and #choose to challenge ourselves to do the thing, whatever it may be, that we keep setting aside, or we can #ChooseToChallenge society to be better by becoming actively involved.
There are many examples of inspiring women who have thrived in challenging conditions, who have used their voice to call out injustice in the workplace and who have just struggled to be recognized for who they are.
Here is a short list of books on a range of topics and interests that demonstrate the strength and ability of women.
• Invisible Generations: Living between Indigenous and White in the Fraser Valley by Jean
Barman
• Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s
Anger by Rebecca Traister
• Equality for Women = Prosperity for All: The Disastrous Global Crisis of Gender Inequality by Augusto Lopez-Claros and Bahiyyih Nakhjavani
• Bloody Brilliant Women:
Pioneers, Revolutionaries & Geniuses Your History Teacher Forgot to Mention by Cathy Newman
• Bad Feminist: Essays by
Roxane Gay
For a more detailed book list, please visit the Gibsons and District Public Library’s website gibsons.bc.libraries.coop. You can find more information about International Women’s Day at internationalwomens
day.com and www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day. Also, go to the Sunshine Coast Labor Council Facebook page to see what they are doing this year to celebrate Women’s Day.
Submitted by Lynda Carlson