AMHERST - The contributions of women in sport will be celebrated when International Women's Day celebrations are held in Amherst on Friday at the Amherst Lions Community Centre.
The annual noon luncheon runs until 1:30 p.m. at the Lions Club and will include soup and chili as well as sandwiches, sweets and other finger foods. There will be ticket draws on a number of door prizes.
Admission is free, although a donation to Autumn House would be appreciated.
"International Women's Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, celebrate the present and brace ourselves to continue the struggle for the equality of women in the future," organizing committee co-chair Terry Cove said.
Local athlete Colleen Dowe will serve as guest speaker and will talk about the benefits of eating locally-produced foods.
"We are honouring local women athletes this year," Cove said. "Colleen is an athlete and she's going to talk about the benefits of healthy eating and the benefits of eating locally-produced food."
The decision to honour local women in sport coincides with the 2010 Winter Olympics that wrapped up in Vancouver last Sunday.
A number of female athletes from the past and present will be honoured including Theresa Gogan, Grace Allen, Barb Hood, Annie Crocker, Kaili and Katy VanVulpen, Carly McCullough, Jennifer Alexander, Kim Bird, Teri Lake and Gwen Hitchcock.
