Celebrate 'Canadian women creating jobs one business at a time'

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

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Department of Community Development & Social Work Praise Women in Business

Algoma University's Department of Community Development and Social Work will be celebrating International Women's Day on Friday at 10:30 a.m. on the fifth floor of Shingwauk Hall, by showcasing successful women in business.

Canada's International Women's Day celebration, held on Saturday March 8, features the theme of "Canadian Women Creating Jobs One Business at a Time". 

The theme highlights the significance that female entrepreneurs make in growing and creating jobs in Canada's economy, but also the hardships and inequality still faced by women in the twenty-first century. 

International Women's Day focuses attention on women's social, political, and economic achievement, but also on areas requiring further action and improvement.

This year's event at Algoma U will honour Ashleigh Sauve, a recent alumna of the University's Political Science program, and former Vice-President of the Algoma University Students' Union (AUSU). 

Sauve recently founded her own business in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Shabby Motley. Shabby Motley is a yarn shop, a café, and a space dedicated to showcasing an array of regionally produced goods.

The store has also become a hub of activist discussion, including a place for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) to discuss how to make the Sault community more accepting of minority groups.

"While we celebrate women like Ashleigh Sauve and their wonderful accomplishments, there is a still a large wage gap between men and women, a lack of affordable daycare for women with children, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and many aging and dis(abled) women who are living in poverty. We meet daily with students who are struggling to be 'good mothers' while juggling studies, children, and employment with the hope that their education will help them break free from poverty," said Lisa Kisch, Social Work Field Education Practicum and Admissions Coordinator.

The event on the fifth floor of Shingwauk Hall will feature cake and refreshments, as well as a raffle for a gift basket.

The event is open to both the University and community members.

About Algoma University  

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Psychology, Social Work, Computer Science, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic & Social Development, and Biology in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, Timmins and St. Thomas.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

Algoma University has launched its Essential Elements Campaign to expand its campus and offer more scholarships and awards to students. To learn more, visit www.algomau.ca.

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