International Women’s Day: Break The Bias

International Women’s Day (IWD), an initiative to engage and commemorate women’s cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements, is held globally every year on March 8^th. This important day of recognition has a history that spans over a century, spurred on by the universal female suffrage movement and various labour movements in the early 20^th century.

This year, the theme for IWD is #BreakTheBias, a call to action to embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are called on to imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; a world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and where difference is valued and celebrated.

In the spirit of this year’s theme, Helen Williams, Child Care Worker for Supporting Young Families and Team Lead for the Here To Help program at Yorktown Family Services, wrote a poem to celebrate her identity as a woman and a woman of colour. Helen has worked at Yorktown Family Services for over 15 years encouraging and lifting up women and children who have faced domestic violence, abuse, poverty, discrimination, and countless social barriers. She is an inspiration to the women she supports and to the Yorktown Family Services community.

I am who I am

A woman and proud to be

I will not apologize for who I am

Strong-willed, being positive, good qualities are imbedded in me

A woman of color may be a problem to some.

I know who I am, so it is not a problem for me.

I am not of a crayon box to be chosen when needed to be picked,

As women, we have the right to choose our own destiny

I am black…

A woman

Strong and independent, I choose my path

I am courageous and refuse to be discouraged

I am capable, not incapable to be who I want to be

Give me space and let me be, I believe in diversity, love, and equity

I am up for the challenge, but do not challenge me,

I should not have to fight to be a “woman” that’s me

Love, hope, and independence are things I don’t pretend to be.

I am all woman all black and real that’s me

International Women’s Day, what it means to me? …

Overcoming prejudice and inequality

Standing tall and being proud of who we were meant to be

If not plain to see

IWD is

Taking pride in what is on the outside

And appreciating and loving what is on the inside.

Helen Williams

Please visit our program pages for Supporting Young Families and Here to Help to learn more about how Yorktown Family Services supports Women and Families in our communities.