10+ ways to celebrate IWD 2019

Posted on 2 March, 2019

Celebrate women’s achievements on Friday 8 March, while calling for a more gender-balanced world. Here are 10 ways to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) in Canberra.

As a society we have the opportunity to change how we think, act and feel. Be inspired and revel in all the accomplishments that women have achieved over time and support those who are paving the way for women in the future.

lululemon IWD Sweat & Connect

To celebrate International Women’s Day lululemon are bringing together the local Canberra community to connect with other like-minded boss ladies (or men) passionate about creating change every day of the year!

The event will start with a Sweat circuit run by local sweat leaders at 3:15pm, then move straight into Yoga by a local yogi, followed by Network and Nibbles—stay and mingle!

Take a yoga mat if you have one, wear a sweat ready outfit, and take your business card if you so choose.

3pm to 5pm, Sunday 3 March at Nara Peace Park (weather permitting).

Khadija Gbla: Invisible Women, Invisible Violence in the Australian Human Rights landscape

Khadija Gbla, an African Australian woman is an award winning human rights activist who has been recognised by multiple agencies including Amnesty International and has been a South Australian State finalist for Young Australian of the Year. Khadija is an inspirational speaker and an Ambassador for Our Watch, an organisation established to change attitudes to violence against women and their children.

Gbla discusses the barriers for women in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities trying to access domestic violence services. These women are invisible in many ways, disempowered by a lack of awareness of our health and social support systems and access barriers. They are silenced due to poor language proficiency, discrimination and community backlash.

Happening Tuesday 5 March at Coombs Lecture Theatre ANU, Acton from 7pm. Entry with a gold coin donation.  For more information visit pameladenoonlecture.net.

‘The politics of women’s representation’

Anne Summers AO is an Australian writer, columnist and feminist icon. A former Press Gallery Bureau Chief for the Financial Review, and later Editor of Ms Magazine in the US, Anne’s extraordinary and peripatetic career has seen her traverse media, the Australian Pubic Service, federal politics and international environmental activism.

Summers’ National Press Club address will explore the so-called ‘Year of the Woman’ in the United States – 2019 will see the restoration of Nancy Pelosi to the Speakership of the House of Representatives, and a surge of diverse women who were elected in the mid-terms taking their place in the United States Congress. In light of this, Summers will discuss the prospects for women in the 2019 Australian federal election, and the growing social and political consequences for conservative parties who fail to put forward women candidates.

See Anne on Wednesday, 6 March at the National Press Club, 16 National Circuit, Barton. Arrive from 11.30am, lunch 12 noon, speaker 12.30 concludes 1.30pm. Tickets $85 from npc.org.au.

Shattering Stereotypes, One Photo at a Time

Celebrate Women’s Day with a breakfast and talk with Madeline Sturt. A model citizen and global changemaker, she is a transforming thousands of lives, one catwalk at a time as the world’s first professional model with Down Syndrome.

Having walked in over 100 fashion events across the globe, including New York, London and Paris Fashion weeks, 2018 was Madeline’s sixth season in New York.

Hear how Madeline is standing up for diversity and inclusion, inspiring others to turn their dreams into reality with her mother Rosanne and Emmy® winning journalist Sara James.

7:30am to 10:45am Thursday 7 March at National Gallery of Australia, Parkes. Tickets $129. For more information or to make a booking visit ahri.com.au

International Women’s Day: Geocon + HerCanberra + Kristen Henry

Join us at the Geocon Sales Centre on International Women’s Day for an evening of champagne, canapés and conversation around investing in property.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve teamed up with Geocon and Kristen Henry to present an evening that’s all about women supporting women.

As women we face many challenges, but securing your financial freedom shouldn’t be one of them. Come along to the Geocon Sales Centre in the city for an evening of champagne, canapés and conversation around investing in property—whether it be for somewhere secure to call home, or to begin or add to a property portfolio to create wealth.

It’s all about helping women feel comfortable and educated when it comes to their options for property ownership.

6pm to 8pm, Thursday 7 March at Geocon Sales Centre, 148 Bunda Street, Canberra City. Find out more about the event and register for your free ticket here. RSVPs are essential.

A Community Conversation and Celebration for International Women’s Day

Hosted by the Women with Altitude, this event invites you to join a community discussion and opportunity for local women in professional and business communities to share their experiences, knowledge and passion.

Expect conversations around topics such as how things have changed or not changed; learnings in life, career or business; and what all women might need moving forward.

10:15am at Friday 8 March at Rodney’s Garden Cafe, Pialligo. $49.50 per person. Tickets from womenwithaltitude.com.au.

Canapés on the Deck: Celebrating Women’s Day

Canapés, stunning views and inspiring words from Zoya Patel.

Patel is a writer and editor based in Canberra and was the Founding Editor of the excellent independent feminist journal, Feminartsy, through which she published the work of writers from across Australia, hosted monthly feminist reading nights, and co-hosted the Read Like a Feminist bookclub. Her latest book, published by Hachette, is No Country Woman: A memoir of not belonging.

Happening 5:30pm to 7:30pm Friday 8 March at The Deck, Parkes. For more information and to buy tickets visit Eventbrite.

Weird Flex, But OK

Jess Cochrane‘s latest and last body of work to be shown in Australia for the foreseeable future, will take to the halls of QT Canberra.

Coinciding with International Women’s Day 2019, Cochrane celebrates the strength and influence of women that have played a significant role in her development as an artist.

Cochrane’s signature approach of expressive mark making, worked into the surface of beautiful photographic portraits, is a must-see emotional response to many of the hard-hitting issues that affect the modern woman.

Happening Friday 8 March at QT Hotel Foyer, London Circuit from 6pm – 9pm.

For more information visit Weird Flex, But OK.

Her Sound, Her Story

The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) will celebrate International Women’s Day with an all-female panel discussing issues of equality in the arts, and the Canberra premiere of the 2018 Australian documentary Her Sound, Her Story,.

The panel will include NFSA Sound Curator (and former sound engineer) Karen Hewitt, Producer-engineer-mixer Anna Laverty, Milk! Records co-founder Jen Cloher and Founding Director of the Australian Women in Music Awards Vicki Gordon.

This extraordinarily talented panel will be discussing their experiences in the Australian and international music industries, and the issues of equality in the arts and how they are paving the way for change.

Her Sound, Her Story unveils the personal experiences, histories and significant social impacts of women in the Australian music industry. Featuring more than 45 artists spanning six decades, the film’s unique narrative brims with rage, strength, beauty and triumph. A moving and powerful dialogue that extends beyond the music industry to ask, ‘Where do we want women’s voices to sit in the world today?’

6pm Friday 8 March at Arc cinema, National Film and Sound Archive McCoy Circuit, Acton. $15, book online.

Women in Space

Join Mt. Stromlo Observatory and ANU in celebrating the role of women in space this International Women’s Day. Women in Space will present talks from Anna Moore, Director of the Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre and the ANU Institute for Space; Anntonette Dailey, Executive Director at the Australian Space Agency; and Lisa Kewley, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence of All-SkyAstrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D).

6pm to 8pm Friday 8 March at Mount Stromlo Observatory Visitor Centre, Cotter Road, Weston Creek. Talks will start at 6:10pm. Free—register at eventbrite.com.au.

 On The Basis of Sex

A movie night to celebrate International Women’s Day! On the Basis of Sex is an American biographical legal drama film based on the life and early cases of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Happening Friday 8 March at Palace Electric Cinemas, New Acton from 7pm. For more information and to buy a ticket visit Eventbrite.

Strong Female Lead

Strong Female Lead showcases the talented women of Canberra—it’s a place for our songs, our stories and our creative soul.

This month Lightbulb Improv presents Sarah Campbell on piano, Helen Way in a weird and compelling theatre piece and Laura Griffin performing spoken word. The feature act is Lou Maconachie and Amy Crawford with an unscripted comedy inspired by the cult of Marie Kondo.

7:30pm to 9pm Friday 8 March at Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra City. Tickets $10-15 from smithsalternative.com.