International Women's Day 2016

Men of quality respect women's equality. Women deserve respect today, tomorrow, forever and ever, 
A(wo)men. ​
Here are notes I took and thoughts I had while listening to Dr. Harvard.
  • If factual information on murdered and missing Aboriginal women is giving the government a bad name.... Why would the government cut it out as much as possible.  Wouldn't that make their reputation even worse?  
  • The Children's Aid Society often hurt more than help when they apprehend children for reasons of poverty.  To be more effective the society should offer resources. When there is a case in which the parents are abusive why not remove the parents out of the home and place a guardian or family member in the home to care for the children. while the parents are getting help to be better parents. Why disrupt the life of the child taking them away form their familiar surroundings and away from the whole family?
  • Most important thing to help gender equality and to celebrate women..... is to END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN! This would help empower women, enabling them to have a better life... a life that is deserved by any sentient being.... a life most most men can easily obtain. 
  • Education, a job, and support for children should be more easily obtained and it is absolutely vital!
  • We are not just fighting an attitude....we are fighting a culture...a societal legacy.
  • The hardest obstacle in reaching gender equality is the unconscious attitude of women being inferior to men. 
  • If one is not safe...we are all not safe.
  • "If all these statistics are true I cannot say to my daughter she is safe."  A response from Dawn Harvard while recalling her eight year old daughter asking her if she is at risk because she is native and a girl.
  • If you are no part of the solution you are part of the problem. We all have a role. Everyone can make a difference. Everyone should try.
  • I am reminded of Neighbours Friends, & Families which is a public education campaign to raise awareness of the signs of woman abuse so that those close to an at-risk woman or an abusive man can help.  It represents a significant shift in our approach to ending woman abuse.  It engages the power of everyday relationships to help keep women and their children safe.
  • "You don’t have to be a hero or fix the situation. Caring about the people around us, paying  attention to them when there are signs of trouble and responding appropriately can make a big difference. Little things count."  www.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca
  • Most important thing is to be a good example - Love and respect yourself!  Be proud of yourself, accept yourself, and be strong. 
  • Always say to your family and friends: "I Love you." 
Picture
Taking photos is a hobby for me. Please check the photos by Candra Shank who is the official photographer for The Women's Centre for Grey and Bruce by clicking on their logo below.  Candra is an awesome person and an excellent local photographer.  Check out Candra Schank Photography
Local Businessman, Ron de Boer, owner and curator of Gallery de Boer, proudly hangs two calendars themed "IT STARTS WITH ME" that he purchased from HER Grey Bruce.