International Women's Day was celebrated for the 105th time this year on Tuesday, March 8th. This year's campaign theme was #PledgeforParity, celebrating women worldwide who continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement.

On Tuesday, we celebrated and remembered many admirable women who have and continue to inspire and help women's progress. A few that may come to mind might include Florence Nightingale or Emmeline Pankhurst, but what about the women who surround us daily on campus and provide the same vision for the future by contributing to social, economic, cultural and political achievement not just for women but for society?

The WILL* Program

WILL* enables women, transgender, and gender non-conforming students to explore the influence of gender and other identities across disciplines, cultures, and in their own lives.

The women in our community who are a part of WILL* actively challenge social norms that oppress us, they aim to change these norms before we change ourselves. They strive to do great things, to help the helpless and to put themselves second. I am proud to have a best friend and roommate who is an active member of WILL*. I am proud to know that these women are in my classes, sitting at my table in Dhall and walking on the same campus as me too.

Women's Sports Teams

I am proud to go to a University with nine women's sports teams. At Richmond, we have Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, and Track and Field. How they manage to play their sport to D1 standard and gain a degree I will never know. What I do know is that whenever I see them in a class or walking to practice I am filled with pride not only for UR but for these girls who have taken their talent, worked at it and then made their own decision to dedicate themselves to one sport and one team.

University Dancers

Sitting in the audience of the Annual Concert Momentum, I found myself thinking about the probable low points these girls faced in preparation for the show; late night rehearsals and early morning library cram sessions and a general lack of sleep, but ultimately their passion got them through it all. The weekend before mid-terms these dancing ladies performed four two-hour-long shows over three days. I'm exhausted thinking about it. Their dedication and drive showed as did their mental and physical strength. It was FABULOUS.

Best Buddies

Best Buddies is a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Over 116 students at UR are part of the Best Buddies program. I often see friends bringing Best Buddies to basketball games or dinner at Dhall. These students give their time to make others lives happy, and boy are they happy! Their selflessness increases the quality of life for others, it develops social skills and creates long lasting friendships for all.

International Women's Day is not only to recognize women who have been a martyr for a cause or gone on a hunger strike, it's also for regular women who have a positive outlook, who are inclusive and supportive of each other. The women we are surrounded by on campus who are driven, dedicated and confident in what they do lead by example so, thank you.