Tomorrow, Friday, March 8, is International Women’s Day—an annual day for recognizing and showing respect for women’s achievements in society and the many struggles they face. Here is a round up of local events to take note of this International Women’s Day.
Thanks to one local woman, Regal Cinemas Santa Cruz 9 Theater will be screening the documentary Girl Rising tonight, March 7. Michelle DeFields-Gambrel brought the film, which portrays nine girls from around the world who achieve their dreams in the hardest of situations, to town with help from two local organizations, Rising International and Firelight Foundation. The film focuses on just how powerful education can be, especially in terms of ending poverty and changing the world through girls’ progression.
The first showing of the film has sold out, with 250 seats filled. The film will be shown again on Monday, March 11, although, as of this writing, all of the 230 reservations for the public have been filled.
The Rally and March to Resist Rape Culture will be held at noon on Friday, March 8 at Quarry Plaza on the UC Santa Cruz campus, and at 1:30 p.m. at the Clocktower in Downtown Santa Cruz. This event, organized by F-WORD (Feminists Working on Real Democracy), intends to involve the community in the ending of the acceptance of rape culture.
Also on Friday, from 6 – 8 p.m., Rising International will host a display of crafts at VinoCruz, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz Chapter of the United Nations Association will celebrate International Women’s Day at the Louden Nelson Community Center from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, with a silent auction, soup kitchen and more. For more information call For Information call the UNA store at 426-3101.
There will be a discussion with Kristen Molyneaux of Firelight Foundation on Tuesday, March 19, where the public can discuss the film Girl Rising and its distribution in African communities later this year. For more information about this event, visit http://bit.ly/W0LqHq or call Firelight’s office at 429-8750.
Also of note, Jane Weed-Pomerantz, former Santa Cruz mayor and founder and Board Chair of Positive Discipline Community Resources, is a delegate at the United Nations Conference on the Status of Women in New York.
The conference, which began on Monday, March 4, lasts 10 days and covers global matters of concern. Discussion about policies and programs will be held the second week of the conference. Weed-Pomerantz joins five other U.S. delegates in representing the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Together, they will be engaging in internationally sponsored workshops whose theme focuses on the prevention and elimination of violence against girls and women.
