Dinner celebrates Women’s Day

International Women’s Day did not go unobserved in Fort Frances this year.
Although the day has been celebrated in the past, the event has gone unrecognized in recent years.
This year, however, the local Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario hosted a dinner at the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau to mark the 30th anniversary of IWD.
About two dozen women and girls turned out for the meal of wild rice soup and sandwiches, along with fruit, vegetables, and cheese and crackers.
The $10 ticket also entitled each person a ticket in the draw for door prizes, as well as a gift bag.
The evening also featured a silent auction table and entertainment by local women.
Robin McCormick gave a humorous but moving speech about her experiences as a young girl in school when she was told by a teacher that she couldn’t sing.
Ruth Caldwell recited some of her poetry while Cathy Richards recited some poetry of her own in persona.
Sharon Preston, president of the local ETFO, thanked Lorina Fryer, chair of the organizing committee, for her efforts in making the night a success.
Fryer said she hoped the event would become an annual one.
Many local businesses made donations to the event, with all proceeds going to the Atikokan Crisis Centre.
International Women’s Day was established in 1977 by the United Nations as an opportunity to celebrate the progress made to advance women’s rights and to assess the challenges that remain.