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Here are 5 ways to mark International Women's Day in New West

Laugh, learn or lend a hand. Here's how.
Julie MacLellan
Julie MacLellan
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It's International Women's Day 2023. We've rounded up a list of five ways to mark the day in New Westminster.adamkaz/iStock/Getty Images Plus

It's Wednesday, March 8, and that means it's International Women's Day 2023.

To recognize the day, we've rounded up this list of five ways you can mark the day in New Westminster.  

1. Attend an International Women’s Day comedy show.

Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy is home to tonight’s International Women’s Day comedy special, with headliner Michaela Chung and featuring Rachel Schaefer, with Niki Mordahr, Nancy Ho, Julia Bartel and more.

The show is in support of Monarch Place Transition House, which offers shelter and support to women and children fleeing domestic violence.

It's at 7:30 p.m. tonight in The Attic at House of Comedy, 530 Columbia St. Tickets start at $17; buy online.

2. Learn about the Right to Learn.

The Douglas College Faculty Association’s Status of Women Committee hosts a talk by speaker Lauryn Oates, executive director of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, called The Right to Learn: Why gender apartheid in Afghanistan, and its consequences, should matter to all of us.

You can attend virtually or in person. It’s tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Room N2201 of the New West campus, 700 Royal Ave.

Book free tickets to attend in person via Eventbrite or book your Zoom spot online.

3. Sign up for the new Women in Business series.

The New Westminster Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Scotiabank Women Initiative to offer the new Women in Business series, which aims to provide “education, empowerment, mentorship and networking opportunities specifically for women and non-binary business leaders,” as a press release notes.

The series will officially kick off with a cocktail reception at Scotiabank’s new uptown branch on Wednesday, April 5 at 5 p.m., but you can sign up now online so you don’t miss your chance.

4. Learn about some of the remarkable women of New Westminster’s past.

It was a few years ago when the New Westminster Heritage Preservation Society put together this excellent post celebrating six women from New Westminster history whose lives had an impact on the community in all spheres — mental health, education, media, medicine, entrepreneurship, advocacy and politics. Read it to find out more about these six influential figures:

  • Flora Amelia Ross, matron of the provincial asylum;
  • Frances Elizabeth Herring, teacher, journalist, author and advocate for women’s suffrage;
  • Dorothy Taylor, owner, shareholder, reporter and editor of The Columbian newspaper;
  • Esther Paulson, nurse and president of the Registered Nurses Association of B.C., recognized for her leadership in the advancement of tuberculosis nursing;
  • Susan (Susie) Chew, entrepreneur and founder of the Waffle House; and
  • Anita Hagen, MLA, deputy premier and Minister of Education.

5. Make a donation or volunteer your time to a cause that helps women.

Helps women how? Well, that’s up to you, but here are just a few options of local organizations that specifically support women:

📣 SOUND OFF: Do you do anything to mark International Women's Day? Is it important to recognize the day? Send us a letter.

Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]