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Nominate a special woman for International Women's Day

St. Albert Interfaith Connections is accepting nominations for International Women's Day
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Every year on March 8, celebrations are held across the world to recognize International Women’s Day (IWD). But why is it important? 

This global event grew out of a labour movement in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. 

In the past 100 plus years since the first march, women of every stripe have successfully worked to improve their lives. And in turn, these unsung trailblazers and advocates for justice and equality have made the world a fairer place. 

But significant barriers and gender inequalities still remain entrenched. St. Albert Interfaith Connections hosts the city’s 28th annual IWD celebrations on March 8 at St. Albert Community Hall. It is the dedicated group's way of both appreciating women's contribution while raising awareness of work that still needs to be done. 

The 2025 theme is Accelerate Action. It calls for increased urgency in dealing with systemic barriers and biases women face, both in their personal and professional lives. 

“For me it (Accelerate Action) means get up off your chair and do something in the community. If we cooperate with other groups, we can do a lot more than if we work alone. When you work as a group, the better the resolution will be,” said Renie Zeitz, a St. Albert Interfaith Connections organizer for IWD celebrations. 

At the start of January, St. Albert Interfaith Connections announced a call for nominations honouring women. Nominations are carefully examined, and five women are selected for an award presentation on March 8. 

Entertainers, athletes, politicians and pundits are a highly publicized group of women that continually cycle through the headlines. However, there are many areas of life where inspirational women raise loving families, strengthen communities and improve everyone’s quality of life. 

Nomination categories include: business, education, mentorship, motherhood, peace, youth, volunteerism, sports, politics, justice, policing, communication, medicine, science, arts, Indigenous initiatives, culture and history. New and alternative categories are also considered.

Zeitz also encourages nominators to consider a woman’s inner qualities such as leadership skills, generous spirit, strength of character, creativity, enthusiasm, empathy, perseverance, love and selfless determination.

"Many of our past recipients had these qualities," Zeitz said. 

IWD recipients of the 2024 campaign were Justice Lisa Tchir, humanitarian Irene Leduc, community volunteer Barb Riley, youth volunteer Madison Manchakowsky, and school counsellor Danielle Reed.  

Nominees must reside in either St. Albert or Sturgeon County. Their contributions could be current or from the past and have made an impact on their community. 

Request a nomination form by emailing [email protected] or on Facebook at St. Albert Interfaith Connections. Nomination deadline is Feb. 8, 2025. For more information contact Mitra at 780-238-4145. 

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