The Acadia University Faculty Association Women's Committee will celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day by holding a fundraising café in Wolfville on March 11.

"This event is important to remind us of our solidarity with women's struggles around the world and to make sure that we hear women's voices in our own communities,” said Eva Curry, event co-chair. “We donate proceeds from the café to Chrysalis House in recognition that domestic violence continues to be a serious problem affecting women in Nova Scotia." 

The event will feature popular local performers Ann-Marie Meister, Cuckoo Moon, Denise Aspinall and Rise Up Shannon, DianneLooker, Emma Van Rooyen, Heather Kelday, Kimberly Matheson, Laura Smith, May Abou Zahra, Melissa Vidito, Mna Ceoil, Morgan O'Leary, Oriana, Teresa Patterson, and Trillium. 

International Women's Day, first observed in 1911, celebrates women's economic, political, and social achievements, and commemorates struggles around the world for women's rights as workers, citizens, and people.  One hundred years later, women still have not achieved equity in the labour force, and violence to women is at epidemic proportions. The Canadian Women's Foundation reports that approximately half of Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.

This year, the university women’s group is dedicating the International Women's Day Cafe to the women of Egypt and the rest of the Arab world who have been advocating tirelessly for women's rights for many years, who have played a large role in the recent pro-democracy movements in Egypt and surrounding countries, and who are working hard to ensure that women's equality does not continue to go unnoticed in these times of revolution.

All the proceeds for the evening, pay-what-you-can admission at the door and our ever-popular home-baked treats, will benefit Chrysalis House women's shelter.  

This year marks the fourth annual International Women's Day Cafe organized by the Acadia University Faculty Association (AUFA) Women's Committee. This has been a popular event each year, with a full house crowd who come to enjoy the outstanding performers who donate their talent for the evening, as well as the home-baked treats.

All are welcome to attend on Friday, March 11, from 7:30 p.m., at the St. John's Parish Hall, Main Street, Wolfville (just east of the fire hall).

For more information, contact:

Zelda Abramson at 585-1273