Happy International Women’s Day everyone! Today is a very special day for two big reasons! Firstly, I want to say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my beautiful daughter Victoria. Three years ago today, people were asking why I wasn’t as vocal as I usually am on this important day, and my answer was that I had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl! I can’t believe she is THREE TODAY! Time really does fly!

Next, I decided to write this blog since so many of you have asked about the future of Every Woman Foundation & Every Woman Festival. The short answer is, it’s on HOLD indefinitely while I adjust to being a mother of three and focusing on my violin career. It was tough, but I had to make a choice as there just aren’t enough hours in the day now that I’m a mother… and after years of pouring my blood sweat and tears, and hosting classes in women’s shelters and other partner organizations, I have to be honest. I’m tired! I’m grateful for every single one of you who helped me keep this ship afloat, but, for now, my little ones need my full attention. If I have time for work, I have to focus on my career and take a break for volunteering for now, but I have learned so much and am glad I could do as much as humanly possible for me.

I’m proud to be a woman. Today, we have rights and privileges that didn’t exist for our mothers and grandmothers. Come to think of it, we didn’t have these same rights today as we did 20 years ago! But we’re not there yet. The purpose of International Women’s Day is to recognize the progress women have made towards gender equality in their communities and workplace, and to champion women’s achievements.  It’s a cause that’s very dear to my heart. I, along with some fabulous women, created the Every Woman Foundation, which ran for a decade in multiple cities. We held our signature event, the Every Woman Festival, for seven years and, during that time, we held it in Canada, Australia, and France. In fact, the Every Woman Foundation was voted one of Canada’s top 100 women’s organizations. Although I had to make the very tough decision to put my family and my work first since becoming a mother, I’m proud of the work we achieved. Over ten years we celebrated women, supported women with our programs and raised money for partner organizations. Although I’m now focused on Motherhood, and Every Woman Foundation is currently no longer operating, it’s my hope that we will return in 2023/24.

Here are some of the highlights from the last 10 years:

Watch more EWF Videos here!

This year, I’m honoured to celebrate International Women’s Day with a performance at the Women & Wealth Gala in my hometown of Calgary. It’s a rare treat to perform in my own town, where I get to meet so many talented women, and this year’s Women & Wealth Gala has a pretty impressive line up! The emcee is award-winning journalist Aisling Tomei, and also appearing is award-winning entrepreneur Jess Tetu, fabulous TV host Jillian Harris! I’m excited to join this fabulous lineup.

The Women & Wealth Gala (@WomenandWealthGala) started in 2016 and continues to celebrate International Women’s Day annually.

I question the legacy I want to leave for my daughters. I want them to have the confidence to be who they are, love who they are, and be proud. After all, my daughter, Victoria, was born on International Women’s Day!

*Thank you Little Chic Parties for these fabulous balloons for Victoria’s Party!

Want more info about International Women’s Day? Visit the following websites for more info and how you can be involved-

https://www.internationalwomensday.org/

https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/events/2020/03/event-iwd

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

https://cfc-swc.gc.ca/commemoration/iwd-jif/index-en.html