For many, International Women’s Day can feel like a bit of a whirlwind due to the many celebrations that take place in and around the global day of recognition of women in early March.
That’s why it was nice to have one last hurrah during the waning days of March at an International Women’s Month reception hosted by Liberal Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard. She settled on Good Friday, mostly because the date worked with her busy work and travel schedule.
The two-hour gathering was a chance for dozens of women in business and non-profit sectors to build connections through meaningful conversations, and to draw inspiration from each other and from the invited guest speakers. The cinq-à-sept social was held at the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Jackson Café, which was decorated with pretty balloons, orchids and fresh-cut lilies. It was the kind of get-together that left everyone in a good mood.
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“Provoking and working toward positive changes is still my reason to get up every morning,” Collard, a former lawyer and school board trustee, as well as a long-time leader in the Franco-Ontarian community and mother of four, told her audience. “When I feel down or frustrated or discouraged — and, yes, it happens — I usually turn to a female friend because I know that they understand life, right?”
The reception included two invited men: Ottawa city councillor Rawlson King (Rideau-Rockcliffe) and Andrew Peck, executive director of the Downtown Rideau BIA.
De La Salle public high school’s Carole Myre shared the journey that led her from the working-class backgrounds of Hawkesbury to a successful career in education, as the result of the support and encouragement that she received from other women.
Helen Hirsh Spence, founder and CEO of Top Sixty Over Sixty, addressed the subject of ageism while disclosing her age — 75 as of this summer. “And I’m proud of it.
“I think one of the things we have to do is, we have to start talking about age positively. We talk about an aging society as if it’s all decline, and I can assure you it isn’t. In fact, the happiest people are those who are over the age of 60.”
Hirsh Spence touched on the growth of crystallized intelligence and emotional intelligence, and people’s ability to draw upon life experiences as they age. “We’re all aging, that’s what we all have in common; we’re all in the process of growing older. It’s a privilege to grow older, and we don’t all see it that way.”
A woman who leaves her job after the age of 45 can anticipate having a harder time finding new work than a man in the same boat, she said. “Many of you, I’m sure, would never discuss your age, and many of us hide it. It’s called the ‘pink tax’, what we pay in order to remain looking appropriate for our age.”
Danielle Drever, owner of Organized Spaces, shared her entrepreneurial journey of turning her life-long passion for decluttering into a viable business. She officially launched her new venture in November of last year.
“I have found there have been many highs and lows,” said Drever, who spoke of how reassuring it was for her to be at the reception and to meet other small businesswomen facing similar challenges as her.
It was interesting to learn about her decision to shy away from social media as a potential way of promoting Organized Spaces. “This isn’t something I typically use in my daily life. Some people say this is crazy while others applaud me for staying true to myself. I always want to remain authentic, as I believe this improves the relationships I create with my clients.”
While Drever may not depend on digital platforms, she does recognize a good opportunity for self-promotion. She wrapped up her remarks by telling the room: “I may still be learning how to manage the chaos of a business but I am deeply versed in managing the chaos of your closets and your kitchen. I’ll gladly be in service, if that’s an area you’re struggling with.”
caroline@obj.ca
