This image captures my feelings about International Women’s Day, and is one of my favourite works by Montreal artist Cheryl Braganza. The work, “Peace, Pink, Power”, is from her art activism series and more of her work can be found here.
Cheryl Braganza, 1945-2016, was Montreal Woman of the Year 2008, and a Painter, Writer, Poet, Pianist, Cancer Survivor.
The artist’s statement:
“I want my art to play a role in lifting people’s spirits, in challenging their assumptions, in provoking thought ….. thus promoting dialogue between peoples towards peace. Je désire que le regard porté sur mon art provoque la réflexion et invite le dialogue des peuples vers la paix.”
On Friday March 8th join me in celebrating International Women’s Day by committing to #BalanceForBalance in a way that best suits you . . . send out a beautiful personalized affirmation for Women and Girls, light a candle, meditate, post something to your timeline, donate to a cause, go on strike . . . the possibilities are endless.
You can do it! As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.”
I like to think that we can celebrate and honour the Divine Feminine (and Divine Masculine) within us each and every day, but it is for very real reasons that “this day has been dedicated to women around the world and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.” (per www.internationalwomensday.com).
This year’s theme is #BalanceForBetter. Per the IWD website:
A balanced world is a better world. How can you help forge a more gender-balanced world?
Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.
Women around the world receive less education, have less civil rights, and are consistently compensated below the male averages. Consider where you can raise your voice and take purposeful action in support of Women and in support of #Balance for all regardless of gender, sexual identification or culture.
On #IWD2019 #BalanceForBetter, I honour and celebrate all womxn.
Happy International Women’s Day! Together we rise up!