International Women's Day

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Wednesday, March 8, 2023 to Wednesday, March 8, 2023
2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
City Hall

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8. The day has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911.

The day is celebrated and supported globally by industry, governments, educational institutions, community groups, professional associations, women's networks, charities and non-profit bodies, the media and more. Through programming, International Women's Day provides an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of the many achievements and contributions of female Bramptonians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Brampton a livable, compassionate and prosperous city it is today.

Join Mayor Brown and Members of Council at City Hall on Wednesday, March 8 as we celebrate with speakers, performances, a fireside chat, live mural painting, photo booth and retail vendor market featuring female-driven small business owners.


International Women's Day 2023 campaign theme: #EmbraceEquity

Equity isn't just a nice-to-hav​e, it's a must-have. 

A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA, and it's critical to understand the difference between equity and equality. 

Read more about this here.

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Each one of us can actively support and embrace equity.

We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.

Forging gender equity isn't limited to women solely fighting the good fight. Allies are incredibly important for the social, economic, cultural, and political advancement of women.

Everyone everywhere can play a part.

Collectively, we can all forge positive change.

Being included, and belonging, feels good.

When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion.

We embrace equity to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all.

Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there. 

Through the process of equity, we can reach equality.

Embracing gender equity is the right thing to do.

Don't just say it. Think it. Be it. Do it. Value it. Truly embrace it.


Show the world your huge embrace!

Take a photo with the women who inspire you and tell us their stories. Together, we can embrace equity and work towards an inclusive world.​

Strike the IWD #EmbraceEquity pose to show solidarity and post your photos on social media by using the hashtag #IWDBrampton.

We’ll be sharing your photos and stories leading up to International Women’s Day.

Click hereto view Councilor Rowena Santos and Councilor Navjit Kaur Brar's International Women's Day message. 

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6:00 PM Start

  • Live Mural Painting Begins by Jaspal Birdi​
  • Opening Remarks by host Jael Richardson 
  • Remarks by Mayor Brown
  • Remarks by Rebecca Moroz, on behalf of Coca-Cola Bottling Limited
  • Remarks by Kimberlee Johnston, President of the Zonta Club of Brampton Caledon
  • Embrace Equity Special Recognition
  • Fireside chat with Councilor Santos, Councilor​ Brar, Jael Richardson, MP Sonia Sidhu, Kathy McDonald and Clare Barnett
  • Light Refreshments in the Conservatory opens
  • Dance Performance by Jade's Hip Hop Dance Academy
  • Musical Performance by Nicole Chambers
  • Dance Performance by Divinity Dance School
  • Musical Performance by Ose
  • Closing Remarks by host Jael Richardson 
​9:00 PM Event Ends
*Times are subject to change*​​

Activities

Retail Vendors Market

​Visit the retail vendors market that features Brampton based female-driven small business owners.

EmpowHer-Achev Information Booth

Achev as an organization offers many services for women and youth. The EmpowHER program is specifically designed to help young women become more involved in their community and develop their transferable skills through civic engagement and community participation. The program is funded by the Federal Government of Canada

Imagica Photo Booth

Stop by the Imagica Photo Booth to capture a customized photo at the event! Capture a memorable moment and walk away with an instant print! 

Additional Information

Clare brings a unique perspective to Brampton with her private and public sector experience in economic development, attracting Foreign Direct Investment, communications, and place branding and marketing.


She also has expertise in business development and marketing, which was cultivated over fifteen years focused on Ontario’s economic competitiveness with the provincial government. She served as Ontario’s representative in the United Kingdom with a mandate to further Ontario’s trade, investment and broader economic interests, and she established and led Ontario’s first Investment Office.

The Region of Peel is currentlyworking in the downtown Brampton neighborhood.

They are:

  • ​Replacing the watermain and sanitary sewers along Main Street (Nelson St. W. to Wellington St.), Queen Street (Mill St. S. to Chapel St.), James Street, Maple Avenue, and Park Hill Court, as shown on the attached map. Watermains are underground pipes that bring tap water from our water treatment plants to your neighbourhood. Sanitary sewers are underground pipes that carry wastewater from your home to a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater is created when water goes down the drain or is flushed down the toilet. As pipes age and our population grows, we need to replace older watermains and sewers to keep providing high quality water and wastewater services to you.

  • ​Resurfacing Main Street and Queen Street, and extending sidewalks on both sides of the roadway.

Click here ​for more information.
Established in 2010, Divinity Dance School was founded by Shereen Khemraj. Today, almost twelve years later, Divinity Dance School is located in four major cities within the Greater Toronto area; Brampton, Pickering, Toronto and Mississauga. 

Divinity Dance School offers a variety of group classes, private lessons and event performances for all special occasions. They specialize in classic Bollywood, Fusion Bollywood, Chutney, Soca, Dancehall, Fusion Bharatanatyam and Zumba; all of which are showcased by the students of Divinity Dance School at their annual Divinity Live in Concerts. 

Along with many other achievements, Divinity Dance School was nominated at the Caribbean Music Entertainment Award ceremony (CME Awards). Where they humbly received the award for "Top Chutney Dance Group" in 2017 and again in 2018. Prior to the CME Awards, Divinity Dance School participated in the annual WI Can Dance competition where they placed first for Best Bollywood/Chutney Dance Group in 2013. Then again in 2014, they entered additional categories to eagerly expand their horizon and challenge themselves at the WI Can Dance competition. That year they proudly received first place trophies for the following genres; Best Soca Group, Bollywood/Chutney Group, Bollywood Solo and Hip-hop Solo. 

Not only is Divinity Dance School an aspiring organization within the community, they have also had the opportunity to accompany other aspiring artists such as Ravi B, Raymond Ramnarine, SW Storm, Terry Gajraj, Nishard M, Yangki Tiny Beti, Omardath Maharaj, Queen Yasmin, The Band Destiny, Hotshots The Band, and The Band N2. They have also performed for large community events such as Chutney in de Park, Revivor, Chutney Fest, Diwali Fest and many more. ​​

Click here ​to learn more about Divinity Dance School.

The words equity and equality are often used interchangeably. 

Etymologically, the root word they share is ae​quus, meaning “even” or “fair” or “equal” - which led to equity being from the Latin aequitas, and equality from aequalitas. Yet, despite these similarities, equity and equality are inherently different concepts, and the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme seeks to help forge worldwide conversation about this important issue and its impact. ​​


Visit the International Women's Day website for additional information. 

Jael Richardson is the founder and Executive Director for the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) in Brampton, Ontario. Her debut novel, Gutter Child, was shortlisted for the Amazon First Novel Award, was a finalist for the White Pine Award and won a Word Award. Her second picture book, Because You Are, was published in July 2022 and her newest children’s title The Hockey Jersey was released January 2023 as part of Scotiabank’s Hockey For All initiative. Richardson holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and lives in Brampton, Ontario.​

Jade's Hip Hop Academy established in Brampton in 2006 has become world renowned dance studio recognized for their training, technique and performances in exclusively Hip hop and street dance styles. Their speciality is giving a platform to youth to give back to their communities through dance and creating unique custom curated performances for special events. Among many accomplishments by the studio and owner Jade Jager Clark they are currently very proud to give youth from Brampton the opportunities to perform for the Toronto Raptors, Raptors 905, the Agros and Maple Leafs. More information can be found www.jadeshiphopacademy.com and they can be flowed on social media @jadeshiphopacad ​


Jaspal Birdi (B.1988, Toronto)​ is a Brampton based artist who combines photography and painting by experimenting with contemporary technologies. Through programming, print and paint, her practice filters and reconstructs a blurred cycle of virtual and physical actions. Birdi completed her BFA in Drawing and Painting from OCAD University 2010, a Museum Internship at The Peggy Guggenheim Collection 2011, and a Master of Arts Management from Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) 2013. Recognized with support from the Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts, she is the recipient of several international honours. Jaspal Birdi’s works have been featured in group and solo exhibitions in Canada, Italy, and Germany. ​

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Committed to serving Wards 3 & 4 in Brampton

As an advocate for your—our—community, I welcome your input and feedback. As a board, we’re committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with you, our parents, staff, students and residents. It’s my role as your elected representative to respond to your questions, concerns and bring your issues forward to the board. I want you to know, I’m here to help. You can keep up-to-date on board news by visiting www.peelschools.org on a regular basis. If you’re looking to find out what’s happening at your local school, visit their website. Of course, you can always call the school for more information about programs, fundraisers, upcoming events and other school news. Research tells us that when we work together, students achieve more success. So, I encourage you to become involved in your child’s education, ask questions, attend a board meeting. Even if you don’t have children in the school system, I welcome and encourage your participation. Together, we share an unwavering commitment to the success of each student. I look forward to hearing from you.​​

Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South is a proud member of the Standing Committee on Health and Vice-Chair of the Status of Women Committee. In June 2021 MP Sidhu’s Private Members’ Bill C-237, An Act to establish a National Framework for Diabetes passed unanimously in Parliament and the framework was subsequently tabled on October 5 2022. As a Member of the Special Committee on Pay Equity in 2016, MP Sidhu advanced the Federal Government's Pay Equity Legislation which came into force in 2021. She is proud of her record on creating jobs with Federal investments in Brampton through signature projects such as the Riverwalk, the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, public transit projects and many more.​

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Canadian singer and songwriter Nicole Chambers is redefining the music scene with her keenly nurtured musical talent. With a relentless passion for music, catchy tunes and gripping lyrics, she is eager to take on the world, one song at a time. The R&B /Neo-Soul artist strives to create authentic music that pulls at her listeners' heartstrings and impacts people’s lives. Her music speaks to the depths of her soul, giving you a glimpse into her life experiences and reflections on love, self growth and truth. Nicole shows up as an unapologetic black woman who intends to be heard. ​

Born in Nigeria and raised in Brampton, to parents of Nigerian descent, Osé has been singing in church since she was four years old. Her voice is an instrument like no other that will have audiences mesmerized, and enthralled with every song she delivers. Osé has refined her talents into a raw and arresting vocal prowess that will leave you begging for more. The Ontario native will have listeners engulfed in the world she creates with her story-telling approach and realness with every release. Osé is an artist to keep an eye on and ear out for as she is set to cement herself in the music industry for years to come.​


​There are 5 municipal parking garages in downtown Brampton that have free parking.Click here to view the parking garage map for downtown Brampton.​

Parking garages:

  • City Hall Garage 
  • West Tower Garage 
  • Market Lane Garage 
  • Nelson Square Garage 
  • John Street Garage​​​​
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Please note photos and videos will be taken throughout the event which may include your image.

By entering the event space, you therefore consent to being photographed or video recorded and you authorize the City to use these images at any time without further notification.​​

International Women's Day is Proudly Sponsored by

​Contact​

Festival and Events Office
2 Wellington St W, Brampton​
905.874.2000

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