Gloria Steinem visits campus on International Women's Day

More than four decades ago, the United Nations declared March 8 International Women’s Day (IWD). 

The day was established to mark the role of women in society and to celebrate achievements and advancements in the continuous drive for gender equality. Most importantly, IWD was organized to give a new, strong platform and voice to women around the world who didn't have the ability to speak up for their rights in the past.

Some would say that a lot has changed since the 1970s; others would argue there is still a long way to go to the day when women and men are treated as equals in all walks of life. Many advances in the women’s movement can be attributed to a small group of leaders, with only a handful recognized by name.

One of those names is Gloria Steinem.

This year, Steinem, who is known around the world as a social and political leader in the feminist movement, visited the University of Calgary campus on IWD.

Speaking to a crowd of close to 900 people, she gave a one-hour presentation on women in leadership and the role of youth in creating equality in the workplace.

“Those of you who are young are coming into the (feminist) movement at a very important time because we are beginning to see our connections (between the movement for feminism and the movements against class, caste, and racism),” says Steinem.

“It is simply not possible to be a feminist without also being an anti-racist, and is it not possible to be anti-racist without being a feminist.”

Next generation of feminist leaders meets the vanguard

Steinem’s visit to campus was co-ordinated by the Werklund Youth Leadership Centre (YLC). Brittany Harker Martin, director of WYLC, saw it as a unique opportunity to introduce a new generation of young women and men to the history and ideals of one of the leaders of a movement that has made great strides towards equality.

“This was an opportunity to spark conversations about gender equality, and the role youth can play in addressing these issues,” says Martin. “Here in Calgary, women are not equally represented in senior leadership and board positions, and women are still often being paid less than men.

“Through the work of feminist leaders like Gloria Steinem, we have closed the gap," says Martin. "But there is still a gap, and that is going to be up to the next generation of leaders to resolve.” 

The YLC teamed up with the Canadian Women’s Foundation to host Steinem’s presentation.

“By partnering with the YLC, we benefit from their incredible passion for change, we learn new perspectives, and we help nurture a new generation of leaders who are committed to working for equality,” says Sheherazade Hirji, president and CEO of the Foundation.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from one of the world’s leading thinkers and activists,” says Hirji. “The great thing about Gloria is that she is also constantly learning. She is energized by listening to other people’s personal views and experiences. She is all about empowerment. She wants every single person to understand they too can help to create real change, by working together.”

Youth introduced to, and inspired by, Steinem's ideas 

At the presentation, Steinem continued her call for an end to an imbalance in wages and conditions in the labour force, the elimination of sexual exploitation, and for the achievement of true equality of the sexes.

Steinem’s words resonated with the crowd, which ranged from young girls and boys to senior leaders of the community. Some attendees were familiar with Steinem's reputation for passion about women’s issues; but for some of the younger attendees, the presentation introduced them to an understanding of what strong leadership and commitment is about.

“I knew absolutely nothing about Gloria Steinem before tonight,” says Bethany Sillito, 12.  “I’ll tell my friends to look her up on the internet and learn a bit about her.”

“It was awesome!” says Dominic Gerow, 12. “There were so many inspiring things she said, including that women should have the same rights as men.”

Isabella Kiss, 14, says Steinem, "said something that stayed with me. About all of us having a unique voice inside us. I think that will change the way I act a little bit.

“I think I’ll express my own views a little bit more rather than what other people expect me to believe.”

Moving towards gender equality in the 21st century

This year’s theme for IWD was Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.

For people like Martin, whose work with youth will shape their ideals and aspirations, the goal of reaching gender equality in a few short years is an attainable one.

"Today's youth have so many platforms and ways to be heard, from websites and blogs to other social media,” says Martin. “They are connected and informed in real time.

“I have no doubt that there were youth in our audience who left with ideas on ways to lead a call for action, and that's why the Werklund Youth Leadership Centre exists, to support them and their important work."