RED HATS ATTEND Y.W.C.A.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
TO CELEBRATE OUR VOICE
WOMEN’S STORIES
MARCH 7, 2009

 Eight Red Hat Ladies from Four different Chapters attended this very enlightening conference held at the Lethbridge Senior Center.  Many tables from various organizations and their information were placed around the room along with so many artistic objects for sale in a Silent Auction. The opening speaker was MLA Bridget Pastoor speaking for women and the ongoing challenges for women.
“Our numbers are not up to the predictions of women in the work force yet but we are gaining ground every day“.

Back L-R: Queen Lorraine, & Doritt of Summer Wine, Coaldale,
         MLA Bridget Pastoor, Queen Mum Sandy, Chief Mountain So. Belles,                Cardston, & Connie of Summer Wine Chapter.
Front L-R: Joan of Scarlet Pumpernickels, Queen Beryl of Red Hat Teddies,              Lady Barb & Sheila of Scarlet Pumpernickels all of Lethbridge

 

This event was highlighted by several young women telling the story of their lives, of whom or what has influenced many of their decisions and made them the strong women they are today.  It was a lesson in going after what you want to accomplish in your life and the surprising twists and turns.  Success is there for any woman to pursue her dream, yes even in a male dominated society as one has become a welder, another a school principal, another to tell a story with humor of the struggles of a woman fighting for women’s rights and her success.

 Then there was the very lovely and moving story told by one Sharon Wadi of
Zimbabwe attending college here in Lethbridge, leaving all her family behind and telling how her Grandmother influenced her and a wonderful twist in her life she never expected!….We Red Hatters were so moved by her winning personality and charming way’s we offered ourselves as her adopted Grandmothers here in Canada!
We hope to make her a part of our lives and to bring joy into her heart so far from home.

Queen Beryl, Sharon Wadi, Queen Mum Sandy, Queen Lorraine

 

We did  enjoy a lovely lunch and a grand array of chocolate desserts along with fruit.  We Red Hatters certainly do love our desserts!
 The “Youth Council” members presented themselves at our tables to ask what suggestions we could make for them to help our youth of today.

All in all, it was a very nice day and interesting to hear all the possibilities.
 Two of our ladies won door prizes, we’re such lucky Red Hat ladies!
 The Silent Auction ended this conference and all ladies leaving were presented with a flower in the Custom of International Women’s Day world wide.