Women’s Day event focuses on getting everyone involved

The women’s pride and multicultural fair, Portland International Women’s Day, will hit campus this Sunday, and organizers say the event is an opportunity to bring together a diverse group of people from different parts of the community.

The theme of the event is “Women in Politics: Living as Examples.” The event is like thousands to be held across the world on March 8 in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Portland International Women’s Day helps people of any race, sex, gender, class or ability get involved in different types of community organizing, according to event organizers.

“People think the fight for women’s rights and civil rights are done with, but they’re not,” said Zena Piccolo, event coordinator and external coordinator for the Queer Resource Center.

There will be table vendors at the event providing information about a wide scope of occupations such as business, massage and real estate, as well as information on health issues such as breast cancer and domestic violence. Piccolo said the event is a good place to ask questions about various topics or find support groups. Workshops will be held, including ones on personal safety, use of power tools and rape culture in America.

Portland International Women’s Day festivities have evolved since their inception in 1975, but not the themes: domestic violence, sexual assault, and encouraging positions of leadership for women.

Women’s studies faculty and event MC Roslyn Farrington said this event is a good way to celebrate how far women’s rights have come, and a time to remember women’s struggles in history.

“Just because we have the right to vote and can wear pants doesn’t mean the fight is over,” she said.

The event will host several performances of various types: music, spoken word and theater. Performers at the event range from the ninth-grade duo Blübird to Oregonian writer S. Renee Mitchell.

Farrington believes this event is an effective way to showcase women who are activists, and that it will be, “a nice celebration of women and women’s accomplishments.” This will be an opportunity, she said, to have fun and take a break.

This event is not exclusive, and Piccolo said men are welcome. However, businesses with booths at the event must be owned by at least 50 percent women. Also, at least half of performing bands must be female-identified, as well.

Education, health care, safety and the ability to support oneself are a few issues Piccolo said women still struggle with, and International Women’s Day is an important time to recognize these struggles.

Piccolo hopes that Portland International Women’s Day will continue to progress to being an increasingly multigenerational event.

This is a day for women to celebrate themselves and their uniqueness, Piccolo said. “We all have a lot to offer each other.”

Portland International Women’s Day Sunday, March 9 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom (SMSU 355)