Women and gender-diverse individuals were celebrated in Saint John on Wednesday.
A flag-raising took place at Saint John City Hall to mark International Women’s Day.
Coun. Joanna Killen, who raised the flag, said she was pleased to see so many people come out.
“We can break glass ceilings but we also need to raise the factory floors and make sure that women and gender-diverse people in our communities are supported no matter what their position is,” Killen told reporters.
Killen also took time to reflect on one of the women who inspired her as a young child.
The late Elsie Wayne served as Saint John’s first mayor between 1983 and 1993.
“I remember growing up with her in the community and then seeing the other women mayors, Shirley McAlary and now Donna Reardon,” she said.
“As a young child I was inspired and I’m hoping to inspire other young women to get out there and get into politics.”
Mayor Donna Reardon, who is the third women to lead Canada’s first incorporated city, also attended Wednesday’s flag-raising ceremony.
Reardon admits it can still be difficult for interested women and gender-diverse individuals to get involved in politics.
“It’s a big job and women, a lot of times, have a lot of balls in the air. Most women have child care, we’re trying to hold down a job, we’re trying to maybe run for municipal office and have a family to raise,” she said
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day, first celebrated in 1911, also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
This year’s theme is Every Woman Counts, with the message that all women have a place in every aspect of Canadian society.
Dozens gathered at #SaintJohn City Hall this morning for a flag-raising to mark International Women’s Day. pic.twitter.com/jFnEiZllHi
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) March 8, 2023
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