“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights” Gloria Steinem
In my family I have always been surrounded by strong women. As a child I remember my Gran telling tales of Emily Davison, the suffragette who was trampled by the King’s horse as she tried to promote her cause, women’s suffrage. I felt a dark awe that the generations before me went to such efforts to achieve what I now consider as a right, not a privilege. International Women’s Day is held every year and honours women like the suffragists. It is a celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women as well as a commendation of women’s economic, political and social achievements. The first IWD was held in 1909 and over 100 years on the event still has strong ties all over the world. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Make It Happen’ and the colour is purple. International Women’s Day will be celebrated locally at the Canowindra Bowling Club on Thursday 5th March. The day will kick off at 12pm and will include a delicious 2 course luncheon served up by caterer Kylie Lawrence and speeches from the sponsors of the day, First Choice and PulseHR and by the guest speaker, Ailsa Pottie. Ailsa, who lives in Molong, is the sister of Dr Catherine Hamlin, who founded the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia and the charity, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. The charity and hospital focus on young pregnant women in rural Ethiopia who face an obstructed labour, leading to horrific internal damage. As a result of this, these women often lose their baby and are shunned from their society. Dr Hamlin and her husband perfected the modern technique for obstetric fistula surgery and to date over 40,000 women have been treated, more than 90% cured.
Tickets for this event are $35 per person, with $5 per ticket going towards the charity Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. A raffle will also be held to raise funds for the charity with prizes being kindly donated from local businesses. The Canowindra Phoenix wishes to thank their sponsors, PulseHR and First Choice Credit Union. Bookings are essential and close on 2nd March, if you would like attend you can purchase tickets from the Canowindra Phoenix Office at 65 Gaskill Street. Grab your friends and come and enjoy a fantastic day in Canowindra for a fantastic cause and remember, “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”- Simone de Beauvoir.
By Rhi Quinn
