Statement: Mayor Bevilacqua recognizes International Women’s Day

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement to mark International Women’s Day:

“Today, we join communities around the world to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of women — past, present and future — and recognize the courage and solidarity they show every single day.

“As humanitarians, pioneers, explorers, activists, philanthropists and world leaders, women have driven positive change throughout modern history.

“From Mother Teresa, who showed extraordinary compassion for humankind and gave tirelessly to help others in need, to adventurer Amelia Earhart who was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. It is important to acknowledge the legacy of talented women who enriched our society. Women such as Rosa Parks, whose fight for social justice resulted in wide-spread movements for civil rights across the United States. Their bravery to break free from traditional gender roles has paved a path for today's young women to follow.

“Young women like Malala Yousafzai, who stood up to a member of the Taliban for the right to be educated and became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Or Greta Thunberg, a 17-year-old girl who influenced the largest climate demonstration in human history and was named TIME’s 2019 Person of the Year.

“May future generations continue to be inspired by their hope, dreams and dedication. They have given a voice to the voiceless, pushed for parity and advocated for the rights of women around the world. We are fortunate to have remarkable women in Vaughan who are making a meaningful impact here at home, including the recent Ward 1 Civic Hero Award recipient, Marcella Di Rocco.

“Their vision and determination have brought us a long way, but we still have a long way to go. We cannot move forward when half of us are held back. That is why last year on International Women’s Day, the City of Vaughan, in partnership with Alectra, became the first municipality in Canada to sign and endorse the Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity — a public commitment to promote the values of diversity, equality and inclusion.

“In Vaughan, we take great pride in providing an exceptional quality of life, where everyone is encouraged to reach their full potential, actively participate in civic life and be treated with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. Earlier this year, as part of our commitment to advancing a culture of co-operation, the City of Vaughan signed the Vaughan Inclusion Charter in support of the Inclusion Charter for York Region, which is a community initiative to create a fair and equal environment for all. The work of these two initiatives will be further supported by the new Diversity and Citizen Engagement Task Force.

“When women are empowered to succeed, we all win. ‘An equal world is an enabled world,’ that is the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day. Each of us has a role to play in gender impartiality. By celebrating women’s achievements, increasing visibility in our communities, businesses and networks, and rejecting inequality, we will help lay the foundation for a more just and equal society.

“We will work toward this by championing the women who are leading innovation in business, fostering inclusive workspaces to ensure women can thrive, empowering women through the advancement of healthcare, and applauding the individuals who are creating waves of change.

“I believe each woman has her own experience of triumph. Today, and every day, let us celebrate the enduring contributions and strong voices of all women who continue to make a positive difference in Vaughan and beyond.

“Together, we will continue to push for opportunities for girls and women to succeed and reach their full potential. Happy International Women’s Day!”

-30-​