International Women's Day 2024

Women of Strength

Today marks yet another observance of International Women's Day, a day to celebrate the women's rights movements of the past 125 years and to encourage ongoing focus on gender equality, abuse and violence against girls and women. "Women's Day" has been observed in some form since 1909, becoming a global event in 1977. One hundred years ago, Grandma D. was passionate about women's rights and while she filled the role of wife and mother capably, she also had a career and was a community leader. 

Our mother ran for class president when she was in high school. The photo in the top left corner shows her on a tractor with Dad as a teenager and a wagon-load of supporters (including Aunt Lois) as they drove through town garnering support for her election. She grew up capable and confident because of the strong women who mentored her. The picture on the top right is of Mom and her best friend, Ruth Knowles, for whom I am named. The photo on the bottom right is of Grandma and her sister Dorothy (on the right) with two of their friends in the 1940s. Women around the world proved their capabilities during WW1 and WW2 and moved forward in the paths forged during the Suffragette and Women are Persons movements at the turn of the 20th century. 

I feel that ground was lost in the 1950s and 60s as many women stayed at home and raised the Baby Boomer generation in city suburbs. Gender stereotypes were reinforced and it took the second feminist wave of the 1970s and 80s to bring calls for equal pay, equal economic opportunity, equal legal rights, and the prevention of violence against women. I completed my education, starting my career in the mid-1970s and have observed both women and men providing capable leadership in various roles. No one in the Western world is surprised to find women excelling as lawyers, judges, educators, researchers, politicians, artists, musicians, as well as being leaders in medical and scientific endeavours. While struggles continue, Western society has generally accepted that women can choose to be what they want. There is still much work to be done to ensure that women around the world enjoy the same privileges.

It is troubling to see how various conservative religions have increased efforts to push women into specific roles, denying them the chance to choose their own path and exercise any inherent leadership abilities. Some Christian churches, in response to increased legal and social rights for women, have doubled down on enforcing societal standards of the first century AD that keep women subjected to men. Abuse is easier to hide when women have their voices muted and are made to submit to men in authority. Women are different than men and healthy, equal relationships in marriage and career settings bring strength and balance to our families and communities.

Grandma D. was every bit a lady. The picture on the left is her graduation photo from Medicine at the University of Toronto in 1918. The picture on the right is of her equally feminine great-great-granddaughter in 2023. I want her to grow up to be whatever she wants, confident in her abilities and relationships, and an equal partner domestically and in her world. 

1918                                                                               2023

“My career has been one of much struggle

characterized by the usual persecution which attends everyone

who pioneers a new movement or steps out of line with established custom.”

- Dr. Emily Howard Stowe, First Female Doctor to Practice in Canada