A movement is happening in March.
100 years ago, the suffragette movement was just beginning. In one small century, my grandmother could not vote or imagine jobs beyond nursing or teaching, and today my daughter has no perception of gender bias whatsoever, and intends to be a world class scientist. The voices of the suffragettes shouldered the feminists, who have paved the way for a new generation of leaders to demand positive social change.
Women are voting today with a click of their mouse, and letting their demands be known. What do we want? What women have always wanted; safety for our children, clean water, and an end to war. While women still gather in rallies, this March, women are being asked to join a “virtual round table” with thought leaders worldwide to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. Instead of flying to a hotel, a cell phone is the only entrance pass.
The “100 Women of Destiny TeleRetreat- From Suffragette to Social Networker,” is a free month long event- featuring live workshops with incredible, extraordinary women from all walks of life – engaging in conversation, and “Round Table” discussions with other women who plan to build a powerful community in 31 magical days. The website features a full calendar of events all month long to pick and choose.
Some of the keynote speakers include Mallika Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Ricki Beckwith, Barbara Marx Hubbard, actress Mimi Kennedy, author and speakers Lynn McTaggert, Arielle Ford, and Marci Shimoff, a director of Greenpeace, the former CEO of Genentec, the head of PETA, and the composer of Cirque de Soleil – just to name a few! Conceived and hosted by Madeleine Marentette of Grail Springs Spa & Retreat Center, ongoing events will simultaneously take place at the spa- located north of Toronto, Canada.
Have you ever heard of International Women’s Day? It is currently not celebrated in the United States or Canada. Yet 152 countries around the world like China, Russia and Eastern Europe celebrate March 8th as a day to honor women. 100 years ago, in 1911, International Women’s Day (IWD) was honored the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. The movement spread to the US, and launched the galvanization of the suffragette movement.
100 years is a long time – or merely blink of the eye, depending on how you look at it. What will the world look like in 2111? It seems unimaginable. It must have felt the same to women living in 1911. To them, 2011 was an age so far into the future; the mind could hardly grasp the possibilities. And indeed, so much of our world has transformed; with our advances in technology and science.
Our land is criss-crossed with roads, shopping malls, high rises, and the skies are filled with airplanes helicopters and satellites. Our daily life is preoccupied with texting, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and all our money is exchanged on a piece of plastic.
Yet the value of gathering round a table to share a conversation and galvanize action for change has not been forgotten. Nor has the value of friendship, connection and community. Register here and become part of the change.
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