Community Feature: Women I'd like you to meet!
Happy International Women’s Day loves!!! Here’s to a celebrating the strength we as women innately possess, the love that makes us great nurturers and caregivers and the wisdom that we share from generation to generation.
As a boy mom, I always thought I was raising my son to be a feminist. Respectful, kind and appreciative of the opposite sex. Isn't he cute :) This photo was taken a couple of years ago when we were visiting my grandma in Gaspésie.
Well, this morning he threw me a curve ball when he asked me why there wasn’t an Intentional Men’s Day… gulp!
I was stunned! Did none of what I taught him sink in?? So I asked him if he thought ALL women were free to work, open a bank account, vote, buy a home or even if the law protected them from abuse? “Well yeah mom, we don’t live in the stone ages anymore” is what he replied.
My heart sank. I realized that my work around educating him on this subject wasn’t over. Yes, while in many countries women’s rights have grown tenfold in the last 4 generations, this isn’t the case everywhere. And so as we continue to rally for change, this holiday is really about celebrating the many feminist achievements thus far and call to action to continue making progress, for ALL women!
So needless to say, I will definitely spend more time vocalizing my feminist views and educating my son to be more aware of the role he can play in empowering the opposite sex.
Besides setting an example as a mother, I also would like to take a moment to spotlight the achievements of a few women I admire deeply within my community. These women have taken their rights and freedoms very seriously and have achieved incredible things through business and / or philanthropy!
Sareka Sehgal, Owner of Design Zola, a local home decor & furniture store. Growing up in India, Sareka saw first hand the conditions women experienced in a less progressive part of the world. After moving to Montreal, she created a business that would support fair trade and local community initiatives back in India. Creating safe and good working conditions for artisans (mostly women) that craft the items she sells in her stores here. Those items are also eco-friendly, sustainably sourced and most often hand made. Her mission is to run an environmentally aware company which is, in my opinion, as beautiful as the items she carries in her store! You can visit the Design Zola website to learn more or go visit one of the stores in person to feast your eyes on the beautiful artifacts and furniture :)
Anie Rouleau, Founder & CEO of The Unscented Company, a local eco-responsible product company that is disrupting the industry in several exciting ways! The complete line of home and body care products are biodegradable, free from fragrances and packaged in refillable bottles. The mission, significantly reduce the plastic footprint while still succeeding in business. Even though she was up against major corporations, her resilience and determination to do good have resulted in huge accomplishments, including saving over 854K plastic bottles from going to landfills in 2020 alone! Have a look at the TUC website for more information and to view the entire product line!
Raquela Cheesmond, Founder of Étymologie Skincare, a Montreal based sustainable, results-driven, botanical skincare line. Raquela is a passionate scientist who believes that quality skincare can be available without compromise. Not only are her products formulated with the best quality ingredients but they are organic, sustainably sourced, cruelty-free and responsibly packaged. The products are as impressive as the values they are created on! Learn more about Raquela’s company & products at etymologie.ca
Rose Reuben, Cofounder / Manager of ECO-NOVATION, a sustainable construction company passionate about green building. When Rose told me that she and her husband were going to pivot their construction business to become specialists in eco-friendly and energy efficient construction standards, I was very impressed and proud that they were aligning with their personal values. After many months of research and adopting the best certification standards in sustainable construction, they are redefining the standard of construction! But what I admire most is Rose’s perseverance and determination to succeed in a male dominated industry. She’s a trailblazer and a wonderful example of feminine strength, especially to her young daughters! As most of you know, JP and I just recently built our home and the truth is we were shocked at how the construction industry in general lacked regard for the waste it produces, the safety of the materials that are used and the impact it all has on the planet. If we were to do it again, we would definitely want to work with a company that specializes in sustainable construction! For more info of what green building is and how it can positively impact your life and the environment, check out the ECO-NOVATION website.
Whether it be in business or in our every day lives, there are so many impressive women doing amazing things for our community! Make sure to celebrate these accomplishments within your circle but also with your kids! We have a responsibility to inspire them to continue the rally, and take it to the next generation.
So, in the spirit of this symbolic day, I’d like to ask you to please join me in celebrating #InternationalWomensDay by sharing a comment about a woman who inspires you!!
Sending lots of love to all my ladies and can’t wait to read your stories.
xox
