[BLOG] INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
On March 8 an assembly was held in honour of International Women's Day. International Women’s Day is a worldwide event that recognizes and celebrates women and their achievements in all areas. This year’s theme, Be Bold For Change, aimed to address the issue of gender inequality that still exists in our world today.
The assembly began with a poetry slam performance by a group of Grade 9 students. Emma Hafenbrak, Irina Znamirowski, Grace Thomson, Shino Kawamura, and Ximena Alanis Ramirez highlighted issues revolving around gender inequality, specifically on the topic of mental, emotional, and physical abuse. Following this powerful start to our assembly, Global Issues Prefect Umema Rafay introduced the history behind International Women's Day, as well as the celebrations that are held every year in various countries around the globe.
Our first speaker was Grade 10 student Victoria Stefanson. She spoke on behalf of her mother, Hon. Heather Stefanson, who serves as Minister of Justice, Attorney General, and Deputy Premier of Manitoba. Holding one of the four cabinet positions currently held by women, Mrs. Stefanson urged students to never let gender stop them from achieving their dreams.
Next, students were fortunate to hear about Winnipegger Audrey Jordan’s accomplishments as an astronaut. Ms Jordan was one of the three women from Winnipeg to be shortlisted from a pool of 3,772 candidates applying to be a part of the next generation of space explorers in partnership with NASA and Canadian Space Agency. Ms Jordan encouraged students to pursue education and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), as presented by Grade 9 student Payton Watkins.
Sara Orlesky, a broadcast sports journalist for Sportsnet (TSN), addressed her experiences working in a male-dominated field. She emphasized the importance of strong female role models, as well as the significance of having a strong support system regardless of what you decide to do in life. Ms Orlesky inspired us to not only find a role model but also strive to be one for others.
In the days prior to the assembly, members of Girls for the World asked fellow students to share their inspirational involvement in their communities. These messages were displayed on a poster in the atrium for everyone to read. Additionally, these stories were used to produce a video for the assembly to shed light on the many accomplishments of BH girls. It was motivating to see all that students at Balmoral Hall have been able to achieve, and we hope to keep this momentum in the years to come.
Finally, to conclude the assembly, Ms McGill thanked faculty, staff, and students for their commitment to their local and global communities. A video of students who composed a song from Hillary Clinton's concession speech was shown that definitely emphasized her powerful, inspiring words. Students left the assembly feeling motivated.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the organization of this empowering event!
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Balmoral Hall School
630 Westminster Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3S1
Tel: (204) 784-1600 | Fax: (204) 774-5534 | info@balmoralhall.ca
Charitable Registration No. 12994 3932 RR0001
Tel: (204) 784-1600 | Fax: (204) 774-5534 | info@balmoralhall.ca
Charitable Registration No. 12994 3932 RR0001
Our mission at Balmoral Hall School is to inspire girls’ imagination and the courage to excel, to reach, to lead, to care.
We are a nondenominational independent day and boarding school, educating students from Junior Nursery to Grade 12.
