How Can You Help Create a Gender-Equal World?
An equal world is an enabled world. This is the theme for International Women’s Day 2020. International Women’s Day takes place every year on March 8th, where we take time to celebrate women’s work and those who empower us. We also take this time to celebrate women’s achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out the inequality we see around us.
MLA Rachna Singh invites you to join her in celebrating the past and present of local Women in Leadership to inspire a bolder future. This free event will be held on February 29th, 2020 at the Surrey Libraries – City Centre branch. There will be a number of prominent panellists at the event, including:
Neelam Sahota. Ms. Sahota is the CEO of DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and brings years of financial management experience to DIVERSEcity. She offers in-depth experience in board governance and strategic planning. She currently serves on several boards and advisory committees which include Surrey Libraries (Trustee), the Immigrant Employment Council of BC, OMNI Television (Rogers Communications), and the Kwantlen Polytechnic University NGO and Nonprofit Advisory Board. Her recent achievements netted her the Surrey Board of Trade Women in Business Award in the Non-profit Leader category.
Tanweer Ebrahim. Ms. Ebrahim is the CEO of the Surrey-based Nisa Helpline, which assists Muslim women across North America seeking counselling. She is a life coach, counsellor, domestic abuse and mental health advocate and defender of women’s rights.
Judy Darcy. Ms. Darcy is the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and MLA for New Westminster. She is an advocate who has worked hard to improve health care, seniors’ care, education and child care for British Columbians. Born in Denmark, Judy’s family immigrated to Canada and shared many of the challenges that new Canadians face. She is married to human rights and labour lawyer Gary Caroline and has an adult son. She enjoys the Royal City Farmers’ Market, devouring good novels, hiking, kayaking, and watching the ever-changing activity and light on the Fraser River from her windows.
Rachna Singh. Ms. Singh is the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers. She is Chair of the Special Committee to Review the Police Complaint Process. Rachna moved from India to Canada in 2001 and chose Surrey to build a better life for her young family. She has worked as a drug and alcohol counsellor, a support worker for women facing domestic violence and a community activist. Rachna has two children and is married to radio journalist Gurpreet Singh.
Celebrate the Future of Women in Leadership
For this International Women’s Day, come and celebrate the past and present of local women in leadership to inspire a bolder future. Mark your calendar and get your tickets to this free event today!
To learn more about the history of International Women’s Day, you can head to the Status of Women Canada website. For more inspiration, have a look through this list of 46 Books About Women Who Changed The World; many of which can be borrowed through your local library. Happy #IWD2020!