AMHERST, N.S. – The annual International Women’s Day luncheon in Amherst has been a great success over the years, but with one problem.
Because the event has been held on a weekday afternoon, many have been unable to attend or participate due to work or other commitments. Organizers are trying to remedy that situation at this year’s March 9 event by adding an evening movie, which will include a wine and cheese meet and greet.
“I’m so excited because for so many years I wanted to try and do something in the evening,” said Karen LeBlanc, planning committee member. “Not everyone can get to a luncheon during the day, so the idea of having the movie invited a whole different bunch of people that are maybe working and can’t get there. Having two different events on the day is awesome.”
The movie shown will be Made in Dagenham, based on the true story of women in 1960s Britain working at a Ford plant and making much less money than their male counterparts because they are classified as unskilled labour. The free viewing will be held at the Community Credit Union Business & Innovation Centre. Showtime starts at 7 p.m., but will be preceded by a wine and cheese meet and greet at 6:30 p.m., and will also offer a discussion period from 8:30-9 p.m. after the movie.
The annual luncheon will also take place on Friday, March 9, at the Lions Club from 12-1:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Lisa Emery of CFTA, focusing on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #PressforProgress.
“The press is under siege, especially in the United States, with the ‘alternative facts’ and ‘fake news’ and everything else,” said Emery. “If you go backward, you can see it took a while for women to get into the press. Then, when you start moving forward, you start getting into the #MeToo movements and so on.”
The #PressforProgress theme is also about pushing for wage parity between men and women, an international issue that is just as real here in our own country, province and town, according to Emery, who pointed to the lack of female MPs, MLAs and town councillors.
The Made in Dagenham movie will be a nice addition, considering the theme, according to Autumn House executive director Dawn Ferris.
“I love the movie and I think it’s a perfect fit for women’s day,” she said. “Then we have things like the Weinstein takedown, changes with the #MeToo movement and now the youth movement. I think it’s timely to talk about those things.”
A free will offering to Autumn House will be accepted at both events.
Those planning to attend the movie are asked to RSVP to [email protected] or call 902-667-1344.
