From girl power

Celebrating International Women’s Day

be bold for change / Femme Society

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today is a special day for one particular reason. International Women’s Day has been observed for over 100 years, dating back to the early 1900’s when 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York City insisting on shorter work hours, better pay and the right to vote. This march spurred a movement nothing short of a revolution that is still very alive and well in 2017.

During the Women’s March on Washington on January 21, 2017, an estimated 4.8 million people marched world wide in solidarity for women’s rights. Although International Women’s Day celebrates the strides made towards gender parity, patriarch dissolve, access to education, protection against violence and gender equality, it also sparks the conversation of how to further these achievements and the work still required to rid the glass ceiling from existence entirely.

I pledge to help women and girls achieve their ambitions

Whenever people ask me what my blog is about, I tell them my blog isn’t about me; it’s about the women of the world unsure of their worth. It’s about the women who dream of being something bigger. It’s for the girls who want to create their own path rather than follow the one forced upon them. It’s for the women that want to be leaders of change for their communities. It’s for the tribe full of brave, powerful and badass female warriors that I’m so proud to be in the company of.

International Women’s Day can mean something a little different to each of us. I encourage you to visit the International Women’s Day  website and #PledgeForParity to start conversations about women’s rights and influence the future of gender equality. What will you pledge for?

What makes you feel powerful as a woman in 2017?

To celebrate diversity and strength of women in the 21st century, I asked some amazing Femme Society readers what makes them feel proud and powerful to be a woman in today’s society.

Here’s what they had to say:

 “Being able to write and follow my dreams, whatever they may be at the moment. Being an equal partner in my marriage and I am excited for the day I’ll be a mother.” -Taylor

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“Perfectly applied red lipstick or the sound of heels on hard floors. Both also give me a confidence boost. Watch out world, I’m here!” -Margaret

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“I know that there are so many women that don’t and might never get to feel this way, but I personally feel proud and powerful to be a woman in 2017 because I know that I’m free and capable of pursuing my biggest goals and dreams without limitations. And that’s a dream I have for every woman. That our only limitation in life would be ourselves.” -Nicole

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“Bold lipstick, even if I’m wearing sweatpants and haven’t shaved my legs in a week.” -Mallory

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“I feel feminine when I feel powerful. Being female is powerful! Sometimes I feel powerful while I’m kicking ass in a work out. Sometimes I’m wearing heels and spending time with my girls. Other times it’s while I’m curled up on the couch with my sweetie. I have the power to choose the life I want to live, that is powerful!” -Rae

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“I’m proud that I can be the one who has the big career and the most education in a relationship. I’m proud that I can be the bread winner and that is both accepted and encouraged.” -Kelsey

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“I always feel feminine! It’s hard to just pick one thing. I like to think of myself as a badass woman warrior – as I think we all are whether we know it or not.” -Brittany

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Letting go. Letting go of expectations of myself or the expectations others hold over me. Saying no to the weight of my burdens that I can’t bare on my own and ultimately allowing the Lord to be my sustenance in life. What freedom it is to know I can’t do it all and that the burdens I carry don’t have to be my own, there is a God who carries them for me and gives me strength when I fall.” -Rebecca

How are you celebrating #IWD17? What are you pledging to #BeBoldForChange? Are you participating in a Day Without a Woman?

you are beautiful

Eyelet and Mesh Shift Dress - Gap | www.femmesociety.ca | Photography by Royce Sihlis

There’s something so awakening with the feeling of spring. Everything feels so much more vibrant and alive. One of my absolute favourite things about spring is seeing all the gorgeous cherry and magnolia trees in bloom.

In addition to my previous blog post about my favourite ways to welcome and feel rejuvenated this spring, I thought that spring should also be welcomed with a little beauty of our own; self-love. With busy work schedules, families, kids, and everything in-between, how often do we stop and take time for ourselves once a day, once a week, or even once a month? I had the pleasure of spending some time last week at a workshop hosted by a lovely woman by the name of Jenny McKinney. Some of you in the Okanagan may know her as a makeup goddess but I’ll tell you, she taught us so much more than the power of false lashes and contouring. Jenny made us feel welcomed but beyond that, she made us feel important. She congratulated us on taking a few hours that day to pamper ourselves by attending the workshop and for investing time and love in ourselves. And most of all, we celebrated the beauty of a group of women coming together, who are more alike than different.

Whether it’s an afternoon pedicure, an evening bubble bath, sipping a glass of your favourite pinot noir, or even a kids-free trip to the grocery store, set side some time this week to do one thing that is just for you. I want you to tell yourself that you are beautiful, that you are deserving and most of all, loved. For me, showing myself love was purchasing this little white dress simply because it made me feel beautiful. 

When was the last time you did something just for you? Even if it was yesterday (in which case, keep it up!) I want you to set aside some time this week to do whatever it is that makes you feel beautiful, intelligent, safe, alive, loved, and all the adjectives in between. Practice doing more acts of self-love in your weekly and daily routines to sustain your self-confidence and your inner light. Want some ideas for acts of self-love? Email me at hello@femmesociety.ca and I’d love to give you some inspiration.

Spring love | www.femmesociety.ca | Photography by Royce Sihlis
ROYCE SIHLIS PHOTGRAPHY