On Sunday, March 6, 2016, Can’t Wait Productions (www.facebook.com/cantwaitproductions) will hold their second annual Women’s Day Art and Networking Event at Make Shift Boston in support of International Women’s Day 2016!
The theme for International Women’s Day 2016, Pledge for Parity, has been chosen to “accelerate gender parity.” According to IWD’s website, “The Gender Parity Index (GPI) is a socioeconomic index usually designed to measure the relative access to education of males and females. The World Economic Forum predicted in 2014 that it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity. Then one year later in 2015, they estimated that a slowdown in the already glacial pace of progress meant the gender gap wouldn’t close entirely until 2133.” We truly cannot allow generations from 2016 through 2095 or 2133 to wait for birthright equality! This is why we stand. IWD is also encouraging the worldwide celebration of “the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.” And celebrate our Women and Selves we will!
Hosted by Can’t Wait Productions Founder and Director, Adobuere Ebiama, this year’s event has been designed to “connect and engage artists, local organizations and community members by fostering dialogue to inspire women’s empowerment and the fight for gender parity. I want more people to be open to the idea of celebrating not only themselves as women, as artists, but also to be able to celebrate our colleagues as well. There is a day specifically for us to celebrate each other, so why not use it to bring artists and entrepreneurs together?”
Adobuere adds: “Last year I was really just starting to hone in on my concept for the event. I knew I wanted to share art and focus on a collaborative event that supported female artists. Now I’m thinking about how to really keep people engaged at the event, how can we all participate and network to make the most of our time together. How can I help to support each organization, and each artist that walks into this event? I’ve gone to networking events before and there was always a disconnect – from host to guest and guests to other guests. I am focused on people leaving the event feeling positive, maybe with a new friend and thinking about the beautiful artwork and conversation they’ve just had. Last year it was more like “here’s the art I want you to see” and here’s the women’s day theme but I want it to be more of a conversation this time around. I want to make sure people are engaging with one another.”
I asked Ms. Ebiama if she thought we would see gender equality in our lifetime. “I don’t believe so, but that doesn’t mean I will stop focusing my energy on women’s empowerment. We may not see racial equality either, but we have made some deep strides to end racial injustice. We must continue to support each other, to share our voices and our artwork with the world. I think that simply being a woman – making art in this world, and sharing it with the masses is a deeply empowering statement. We must teach by doing and even if we won’t see gender parity in our lifetime, we can work towards it in the best way we know how and spread positivity in the meantime.
In strength to this, Can’t Wait Productions’ Women’s Day Art and Networking Event has designed the Accessories Donation Drive in support of Dress for Success, an organization that strives to “empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools.” Items that are interview appropriate and no more than three years old will be greatly appreciated by women in the early stages of attaining professional goals. Any and all items help! Consider donating during the event to this wonderful local cause!
Not only will these tax-deductible items go to the women Dress for Success works with, they will guarantee You! a free ticket (or several) to the raffle this Women’s Day Art and Networking Event is also holding! Before I go there, I must go here….
The Women sharing their talents, voices and strength with us! I am very fortunate to be performing again during this incredible event. I had the extreme pleasure of performing during Can’t Wait’s Let’s Talk Showcase in 2015 and am very much looking forward to reading a new and dedicated piece inspired by this day.
Black Girl Free by Xavier Ringer will be facilitating a workshop during the second half of the event in which participants will create self-portraits and mantras that remind them “they are enough.” I am really excited for this!
Boston-based illustrator and painter Deanna Soukiasian will also be showcasing as well as Entrepreneur and the Author of I Know I Can, Veronica N. Champan. The work of Ayana Mack, who has designed this year’s promotional flyers, will also be featured!
Now that you’ve read a little about the event’s Featured Artists and the Dress for Success raffle, here are the lucky winner’s prizes! A signed copy and poster of I Know I Can, 1 Black Girl Free 10×15 print, 2 tickets to Partnering Organization Escape Image Consulting’s “Next Big Thing” pageant being held on May 15, 2016 and a 45 minute private yoga session with Boston yoga instructor Tara Jackson. These can be yours by donating to a great cause or by purchasing 1 ticket for $1 or 5 for $3!
Can’t Wait Productions Women’s Day Art and Networking Event (https://www.facebook.com/events/178061885897820/), Sunday, March 6, 2016, Make Shift Boston, 549 Columbus Ave, Boston! The event’s 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. hours is free to the public with a $10 suggested donation. The second portion of the event, which will feature the workshop led by Xaivier Ring of Black Girl Free, has an entrance fee of $15 and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Standing together, recognizing each other, meeting like-minds, supporting a local cause, art, beauty! Sisters and our Beloved Brothers, we hope to see you there on March 6th! #PLEDGEFORPARITY #CANTWAIT #IWD2016
Liza Zayas is a lover of writing and dancing and celebrates both as a singer and songwriter performing as Luna del Flor. You can hear her collaborative sounds and experience life through her storytelling. She invites you to dance. Her poetry seeks to initiate dialogue by intentionally expressing consequences of love, lust, ego and self-respect.
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