The CUPE BC women’s committee marked the centenary of International Women’s Day with a piece of original art commissioned from Wells, B.C. artist Claire Kujundzic. Copies of the poster have been shipped to all CUPE BC locals.
“We were thrilled to be able have Claire’s talent and sensibility to help us mark this very important day for women everywhere,” said Deb Taylor, chair of the CUPE BC women’s committee. “Across the province we will be celebrating women’s contributions to our workplaces and our communities. This beautiful poster will be a great addition to those celebrations and a wonderful memento of the day.”
“When the first International Women’s Day was marked in 1911, more than one million women and men attended rallies calling for women’s right to vote and to hold public office. And they demanded women’s rights to work, to participate in training and to end discrimination on the job. We have achieved some of these goals, but we still have much work to do on women’s equality,” said Taylor.
CUPE BC has also produced a series of six banners celebrating women at work and in their communities. The banners will be available to support women’s activities and events throughout the province.
The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2011 is Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.
Events and celebrations are happening throughout the province. Of note is that the Vancouver Park Board is once again supporting the Remarkable Women poster project which recognizes women of diverse backgrounds and abilities who have improved their communities.
Many events are listed on the CUPE BC events calendar.
In Vancouver, the Metro District Council will sponsor a March 8 luncheon for women in the Tri-Cities and on March 5, many will participate in a parade and community festival.
For more information on the history of International Women’s Day please go to www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/iwd/history.html.
Copies of the CUPE Sisterhood poster are available from info@cupe.bc.ca while supplies last.