A BIG International Women’s Day THANK YOU to everyone who came out to celebrate together on March 8th! Many great connections were made over food, conversations, dancing, and collective action. We were delighted with how many people came to listen and learn together and to continue to strive for gender equality.
There is an impressive breadth of talent, heart, and commitment to be found in our Island community. We were thankful to hear from the Hon. Barb Ramsay, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, and from Hsiao-Yu Liu, Chairperson of the ACSW. Sincere appreciation to our knowledgeable women’s health speakers: Paige Martin, Shauna Reddin, Kari Kruse, Michelle Harris-Genge and Patsy Beattie-Huggan. And huge appreciation to our dancers and singer: Sophia and Ellie Bourque, Erika (Alika) Perez, Prabhatha Meduri, and Kate Dempsey.
Merci also to our mighty team of IWD organizers, many of whom multi-tasked as speakers, performers and providing tech on March 8: Prabhatha Meduri, Bushra Bashir, Caroline Galloway, Kari Kruse, and Sarah Woodcock. Volunteers who generously stepped up to help with tasks on the event day were: Evelyn Bradley, Sandra Sunil, Bella Jay, and Wanda (Sarah Woodcock’s Mom)!
Organizational support from our sister allies at Women’s Network PEI, the Coalition for Women’s Leadership, PEI Community Sector Network and the Chairs Circle for Gender Equality was essential. Emcee-ing of the event was graciously managed by Jasonique Moss. Thank you Megan Burnside for excellent wrangling of the exuberant kids station, and Ameena Amjad and Maryyam Sajid for adeptly handling the very popular henna art table.
Wela’lioq to all our wonderful sponsors and supporters of International Women’s Day 2026, including most especially the Province’s Interministerial Women’s Secretariat. Financial support is critical to keeping the IWD event free of charge; CUPE and the Federation of Labour contributed in 2026. The food provided by Mezza Lebanese Kitchen was delicious. And a final shout out to MacKenzie Hope, rentals manager at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre for being wonderful to work with and helping us overcome the lack of heat in the space!
