Annual Forum: International Women's Day

NW Ohio 7th Annual 2023 International Women’s Day Luncheon

International Women's Day 2024 campaign theme: #InspireInclusion: one story at a time

Friday, March 8th, 2024, 11 am to1 pm

Hiltons at Downtown Toledo

International Women's Day (IWD) is an annual global day celebrating women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. As part of our advocacy awareness in our community, Women of Toledo (WOT) is organizing an IWD signature luncheon on Friday, March 8th, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Hiltons, Downtown Toledo.

The IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion campaign aims to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women. When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world.

When women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. On an individual basis, it's important to understand, value, and seek out the inclusion of women and girls. Additionally, sharing this knowledge, support, and encouragement with others is key.

This year we are committed to the idea that everyone has an important story to tell and that everyone’s story matters. How do we inspire inclusion? How do you foster connection, empathy, and understanding between people? Tell a good story, of course. At this year's IWD program, we want to share how much more we have in common than what divides us using storytelling.

Storytelling #InspireInclusion through action in areas such as:

· Forging women's economic empowerment

· Recruiting, retaining, and developing female talent

· Supporting women and girls in leadership, decision-making, business, and STEM

· designing and building infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls

· helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health.

· Involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security

· Providing women and girls with access to quality education and training

· Elevating women and girls' participation and achievement in sport

· Promoting creative and artistic talent of women and girls

· Addressing further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls

Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist, and activist reportedly once explained: "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights."

Program Timelines & Speakers, 11 AM TO 1 PM

Hiltons at Downtown Toledo

Master of Ceremonies (Emcee): Rhonda Sewell, Director of Belonging and Community Engagement at Toledo Museum of Art

Opening Remark: Kathy Tucker, Wo President Board of Directors, Women of Toledo & Senior Vice President, Regional Manager at PNC Bank

Program & Partners Acknowledgement: Nina Corder, Managing Director & Sierra Ortiz, Associate Director, Women of Toledo

#InspireInclusion

Moderator: Tisha Mays

Storytellers:

· Ruxandra Nagy, Romanian American

· Sahar Abuimara & Luma Alaraje, Palestinian American (Story: Why mom, ask the daughter)

· Nόra Kiss, Hungarian

· Mary Brucker, American (story: Because of cigarette butt)

Closing: Negarina Cooper, Iranian American

After Hour 5 PM to 9 PM

IWD Soirée with DJ Marc Folk, TolHouse.

RSVP your seat: www.womenoftoledo.org | Info on No Women Left Behind: NWLB