OLDS — Council has declared March 8 to be International Women’s Day in the town.
Councillors made that decision during a meeting last month.
“It’s an opportunity to reflect on the progress made toward gender equality and celebrate the acts of courage and determination by individuals who played an extraordinary role in advancing equality in communities,” town heritage advisor Michelle Jorgensen said in a statement.
She noted that the first International Women’s Day was observed on March 19 in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.
On that day, more than 1 million women and men showed their support by participating in public events.
The United Nations declared 1975 to be International Women’s Year. It later adopted a resolution designating March 8 as International Women’s Day.
“Today, International Women’s Day, a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action, is celebrated in countries around the world,” Jorgensen said.
“As council has recognized this important day in past years and it is in alignment with our efforts toward being a welcoming and inclusive community, we request that Monday, March 8, be recognized as International Women’s Day in Olds.”
Mayor Michael Muzychka said he was unaware of the history of the day prior to Jorgensen’s statement.
“1911 was a long time ago and it’s great to see that there were a million people on earth in those days who were up for that challenge and that leap forward,” he said. “It’s good that we can do this 110 years later.”