WELCOME
Welcome!
It is a great pleasure and privilege to welcome you to National Louis University, Wheeling Campus for the 2016 International Women’s Day Planet 50-50 by 2030 Step It Up for Gender Equality Event. This year we are honored to have you join us in celebrating International Women’s Day and supporting gender equality for women and girls by 2040. Around the world, women are organizing events in more than 40 countries, including marches, rallies, conferences, musical events, sports matches and marathons. The United Nations began celebrating International W omen’s Day (IWD) o n March 8th during International Women’s Year in 1975. In December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s
Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Today, men and women celebrate together in support of equality by sharing knowledge, mentoring, and attending events such as this one. International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement is strengthening and has helped build support for women’s rights and participation in the political, educational, business, arts and economic arenas. As an Event Co-Convener, I wish to personally thank the organizing committee, Monica Ramos, Pauline DeGrazia and Pam DeFiglio, for supporting this event in Wheeling and making it a reality. I also take this opportunity to thank National Louis University ’ s IT department for connecting us globally!
A special thank you also needs to be extended to our presenters who have supported their travel and time to this event to share their stories and to create opportunities for future collaboration.
Finally, I would also like to thank our sponsors (National Louis University, ICET, Global Coalition for Change, Red de Talentos Mexicanos Chicago, and Diverse People Solutions), who continue to be strong advocates for equality.
As everyone has a role to play to make gender equality a reality. Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality addresses the challenges that are holding women and girls back from reaching their full potential. Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in our history within their countries and communities. We imagine a world where all women and girls have equal opportunities and rights by 2030. Step It Up asks for a global commitment that will close the gender equality gap – from laws and policies to national action plans and adequate investment. NOW is the time to Step It Up!
I look forward to meeting with you during the celebration of International Women ’ s Day 2016 event.
Carol O’Meara Event Co-Convener
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#StepItUpLive
2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality
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