FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2000
Women’s March Into the Future begins on March 8th
Alberta Federation of Labour President Audrey Cormack honoured International Women’s Day (IWD) today by renewing the labour movement’s commitment to the struggle for equality and justice for women around the world. The AFL promises to participate actively in the World Women’s March, which starts on IWD. "We have entered a new millenium, and with it, I wish us to turn a page in women’s history as well," says Cormack. "I want this new century to be when women finally achieve a place of equality in our communities." "We have much work to do. In many, many ways women continue to be relegated to a position of lessers, both here in Alberta and around the world," adds Cormack. "Too many women live in poverty, too many experience violence and fear in their homes and in their neighbourhoods, too many are stripped of rights that should be automatic." Events marking IWD are being organized around the province. On March 8, the AFL will be awarding its annual IWD Award in Calgary. This award goes annually to a trade union woman who has made a significant contribution for women in Alberta. This year’s recipient is Yvonne Schmidt of Calgary, who has a long record of work for Alberta women. She is on the Executive of the Calgary and District Labour Council, chairs its Women’s Committee and sits on the Provincial Executive of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. "The AFL believes it is important to honour women who have worked so hard on behalf of their sisters. And I suspect none can think of one more deserving of such honour than Yvonne Schmidt," says Cormack. On March 11, Nancy Riche, Secretary Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress will be one of the keynote speakers at a ceremony in Edmonton linking the issues of violence against women and poverty. This event will take place at the Winspear Centre at 11:30 a.m. This year’s IWD also marks the beginning of a global action to highlight the situation of women. The World Women’s March 2000 will include hundreds of thousands of women from over 140 countries to bring attention to women’s poverty and violence against women. It will consist of hundreds of separate actions leading to national rallies in October and an international rally in New York on October 17, 2000. "The World Women’s March 2000 is an important event for women around the world, and I know Alberta women will be there in full force," says Cormack. "Some may wonder why we need to highlight these issues. Well, the facts speak for themselves, even in Canada," states Cormack. "There are more than two million women living in poverty in this country. Women, working full-time, still only early 72.5 cents for every dollar earned by men. Clearly there is grave need for attention to these issues." "IWD is part celebration, part reminder. We celebrate our power as women, but we remind ourselves of the work left to do for our sisters around the world and in Canada," Cormack concludes.
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