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International Women’s Day

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Celebrations

Celebrations

W o m e n ’ s D a y INTERNATIONAL

Sarah Giglio

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Monday, March 8 was International Women’s Day. This year in particular, we should reflect on what this day meant and celebrate the strong women around us, who, particularly in 2020, have gone above and beyond in creatively working from home, parenting in whole new ways, becoming at-home teachers for their virtual students, and business owners whose businesses look completely different now than they did in 2019. Since the global inception of International Women’s Day in 1911, the purpose of this day has been for “celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.” While we should be lifting each other up every day, it is nice to see a specific day dedicated to lifting up and celebrating our female colleagues, friends, and family members.

When asked to write this article about International Women’s Day, I was thrilled, because I have been so impressed by the women around me as we live in this time where adaptability and creativity are such important qualities. As you can imagine, the Board of Directors and Management Team for the Junior League of ShreveportBossier have had to learn how to pivot, and I have been absolutely blown away at their strength and flexibility. From making King Cake Classic a virtual event to the Red Apron Pantry never closing its doors (and, in fact, expanding to serve additional families) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the women of the JLSB have continued to shine and provide excellent services, resources, and events to the Shreveport-Bossier community.

The wonderful committee for Designer Bag Bingo worked hard to creatively look at how we can make their event this year successful and safe virtually. In creating Bags, Bourbon, and Bling to substitute our annual bingo games for 2021, they have done exceedingly well. You might think that our Revel Artist for a Day programming couldn’t have happened because the Revel did not happen…but you would be wrong. Our innovative committee members did an amazing job adapting that community program to still reach many children and educate them about the arts in spite of the fact that the Revel did not happen in its traditional form. In addition to these outward-facing placements, our membership and communications teams have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support our members and promote the work of the women in our League. These are yet more examples of women doing what women do best—creatively adapting.

So what are some ways that you can celebrate and participate in International Women’s Day, even if retroactively, here at home? You can use your social media to raise awareness, including the hashtag for the 2021 International Women’s Day theme, #ChooseToChallenge throughout the month of March. You can attend online panels/resources that are available to you related to women—our history, equality, and how much even one woman can accomplish. Many of these resources are available to us as Junior League members on the Association of Junior Leagues International website (www.ajli.org). You can support womenowned businesses. You can donate to a women-focused non-profit. Read and discuss a book about a women you find inspiring or who you would like to learn more about. And finally, something we should really be doing every day—you can and should acknowledge and thank the amazing women in YOUR life—who inspires YOU every day to be the inspirational woman that you are.

Let’s all take part in a celebration of International Women’s Day in our own little corner of the world. Let us continue to inspire change and progress, and let us never forget to lift one another up.

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