International Women’s Day (IWD) takes place on March 8 and there are a number of ways to join in on this year’s theme, #ChoosetoChallenge. All over the world, individuals, groups, businesses and organizations are challenging the status quo in terms of gender rights, because “a challenged world is an alert world, and from challenge comes change.”

We’re proud to feature some of the incredible brands we get to work with each day and how they’re choosing to celebrate.

Helping Women Rise

Hillberg & Berk is Canada’s female-led jewelry brand, started by Rachel Mielke. The brand is known for its dazzling sparkle balls, accessories and gift sets. In honour of IWD, 100% of the proceeds from Hillberg & Berk’s 2021 Venus Pinwill be directed as a donation to the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Says Mielke in a special IWD video, “We want to see women rise [and] at Hillberg & Berk, our Venus Pin is a symbol of that; a gift to be given to a woman you know who has risen to the immense challenges of this year.” The company’s goal is to raise $100,000 through this campaign. Check out what this means to this empowering brand here.

Advocating for Women in Agriculture

Jill Harvie, an Alberta rancher operating in Mountain View County, has become a role model for women in agriculture everywhere and is a proud rancher of Canada Beef. Harvie founded the Bright Pasture website and social channels as a way for Canadians to learn more about where their food comes from. Her podcast, Food Careers, also explores exciting opportunities in Canada’s food industry from “gate to plate.” Harvie works with Canada Beef to develop recipes, advocate for sustainable ranching practices and educate the public on the life of a rancher.

WINS is Meeting Women’s Needs

Women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic compared to men, with a higher number of job losses and wage cuts. Calgary’s Women in Need Society (WINS) is choosing to challenge this inequality, and poverty overall, with its own IWD fundraiser. When you visit any WINS thrift store in Calgary until March 8, you can purchase a $2 icon and add your name as a supporter of equal rights. This donation will be directed to WINS’ essential programs that are working to help women and their families live better lives. This includes House to Home by WINS, which provides basic need home and furniture items  to help women and families transform their living situations into healthy and functional homes.

You can take your involvement one step further, by taking a selfie in the IWD #ChallengePose and tagging @winsyyc on either Facebook or Instagram, for a chance to be featured on the WINS channels.