Here's How We're Celebrating International Women's Day (#INWD21) With A St. Louis Flair
Happy International Women’s Day!
March 8th is International Women’s Day - and March, in general, is Women’s History Month - so, as a women-owned and operated organization, we’re all about it. March and International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the challenges facing women - both in our community (such as Period Poverty, domestic violence, and the ways the pandemic has disproportionally impacted women) and around the world (honor killings, assault & rape, a complete lack of rights or access to education, and more). The theme for this year is #ChooseToChallenge.
It’s also time to celebrate our achievements, and the boss babes, and amazing women-owned businesses in the community. There’s a bit less happening in the community for international women’s day. But here are some of the things we’re doing.
Events
For International Women’s Day, WashU Olin is hosting She Suite - a panel discussion on women and leadership in the business world at 4:00 p.m. virtually.
The World Trade Center St. Louis is hosting Re-Engage In Trade: International Women’s Day at noon virtually.
Focus St. Louis will host their 2021 Women’s History Month Breakfast on March 10th at 8:00 a.m. featuring insights shared virtually from four prominent and influential St. Louis leaders.
You can also find a number of national virtual events here.
Donate
Lydia’s House - works to end domestic violence by being a place of healing and a voice of hope for abused women and their children.
The St. Louis Alliance For Period Supplies - this initiative of the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, provides pads and tampons to those who can’t afford them to ensure that they can always engage in daily life and raises awareness about the causes and consequences of “period poverty” in our community
Rung For Women - offers the resources, space, and community for women who are ready to work toward the life they deserve.
The Covering House - provides refuge and help to sexually exploited and trafficked children and teens.
Safe Connections - works to reduce the impact and incidence of relationship violence and sexual assault through education, crisis intervention, counseling, and support services.
Marian Middle School - is the only all-girls private middle school in the St. Louis community serving urban adolescent youth in a faith-based environment.
Hawthorne Leadership Academy for Girls - the first public all-girls school in Missouri, Hawthorn provides middle and high school girls a high quality, college preparatory education with a particular focus on STEM.
Eat
We all know how good the St. Louis food scene is, and with an absence of events due to the pandemic, and the amazing patio weather in the forecast today is a great day to support some of our women-owned restaurants! You can find our list of women-owned restaurants here (it was getting a bit long to keep in this article.)
Activities
Visit the Beyond The Ballot exhibit at the Missouri History Museum and learn about the women who fought to ensure women’s right to vote in Missouri as well as the lives of incredible women from our city’s past and the additional challenges women faced to participate fully in daily life. The exhibit is fascinating and we highly recommend everyone makes a visit while it’s on display this year if you haven’t already.
Buy season tickets to The St. Louis Surge! The St. Louis Surge are St. Louis’ only professional women’s sports team, which seriously - does it bother anyone else that women are freaking amazing athletes too but we’re all expected to just want to watch the men play? Let’s bring some more female teams to St. Louis people! Their games, while small are super fun and affordable. Pro tip: don’t plan on relying on the concession stand though. Oh, and their owner is a really bad-ass awesome local, Khalia Collier, who became one of the youngest owners in the country after taking ownership of the franchise at 23 years old.
Shop
Jessica Hitchcock - Her beautiful, colorful paintings really just make us want to simile! Plus she’s an absolutely lovely lady who shares all sorts of business advice on her socials.
Subterranean Books - This independent bookstore in the Loop is currently in the process of moving a little bit down the block into the previous Plowshare Crafts space. Their website may run a bit slow sometimes but they have wonderful service and are always happy to help you find the book you're looking for or make a recommendation.
Big Heart Tea Co. - Owned by Lisa Govro and co-run by Kunthearath Nhek-Morrissey, these two lovely women make you feel fabulous about supporting them and their tea makes you feel fabulous too. Big Heart tea is dedicated to supporting women internationally, locally, and all the way through the supply chain. We’re talking fair trade, lots of love, and lots of female empowerment. I highly suggest starting with Cup of Sunshine and Royal Treatmint. Learn more about them and hear from Lisa and Kuntherath in this segment.
Golden Gems - Also run by two fabulous, kind, and wonderful local ladies (and sisters), Amanda and Susan always have something fun at their brick-and-mortar on Cherokee St. (It’s also super Instagramable.) So much love for the fun and creative designs they come up with.
Series Six - She’s made some fun designs, and we love what she’s doing with the retro Blues gear and this Rung For Women shirt along with all the other apparel supporting local businesses.
Rise Collaborative Workspace is all about supporting and empowering women to be the best they can be - in business and life.
Lux & Nyx - The brainchild of the delightful Lisa Hu, Lux & Nyx has created the perfect everything bag for the working woman on the go. And several more you’ll dream about. Plus a portion of proceeds goes to building schools and supporting female empowerment organizations around the world, plus she’s keeping sustainable fashion in mind.
Mix and Match - found some pretty cute pieces at this delightful boutique in South City.
Urban Matter - You can find all sorts of cool items at this unique boutique and gift shop on South Grand.
Place Value Pottery - Malaika is an extremely talented local ceramic artist. She creates beautiful, earthy pottery decorated with maps of different local neighborhoods and other places around the world.
Mount Indigo - Jessica Conick started Mount Indigo to move sustainable fashion-forward. It’s super interesting to talk to this fashion industry veteran about the future of sustainable fashion and her up-cycled jackets are so cute. She’s a delightful person you’d feel good supporting even without the socially conscious mission and work of her company.
Volunteer
Rung For Women - offers the resources, space, and community for women who are ready to work toward the life they deserve. They also are in need of volunteers.