Two North Shore community groups are celebrating International Women's Day by hosting panels featuring groups of accomplished women with diverse backgrounds.
Representatives of the North Shore Women's Centre are presenting Break the Silence, Inspire Change Wednesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at North Vancouver City Library. The event is being hosted in collaboration with the library and the RESPECT for Women Society, and is in response to the United Nations International Women's Day 2014 theme, Inspiring Change. The event is intended to shed light on the topic of relationship violence, a complex issue that affects many women every day, according to a written statement from the centre's Shoko Kitano.
Kamal Dhillon and Kathy Kovacs, two authors who have written about their own experiences of relationship abuse, will open the event with author readings. Their presentations will be followed by a panel discussion featuring: Judge Joanne Challenger, Provincial Court of B.C., North Vancouver; Karen McAndless-Davis, co-author of When Love Hurts; Miriam McClellan, counsellor at Family Services of the North Shore; and Rob Gregoire, local manager, North Shore Community Corrections.
The event is free, but registration is requested by visiting northshorewomen.ca or calling 604-984-6009.
Timed with International Women's Day, throughout the month of March, the North Shore Women's Centre is having a membership drive. New and renewing members will be entered to win a prize.
Members of the Canadian Iranian Foundation Youth Group are presenting a panel of women who will share their stories of how they reached their goals and became successful, intended to inspire, and set a strong example for local youth. The event will be held Saturday, March 8 from noon to 4 p.m. at the West Vancouver Community Centre. Panelists include: CJ Rowe, UBC's diversity advisor; Margot Young, professor of law; Dr. Lynne Quarmby, professor of molecular biology and biochemistry; Senator Yonah Martin; and Azita Sahebjam, director of the Pars National Ballet. Tickets: $5 at cifyg. brownpapertickets.com or $7 at the door. cif-bc.com
