Pembina Valley women get real on International Women's Day

An event celebrating women and their impact on the community was held this morning in Winkler. The event featured several guest speakers, including co-organizer Karina Bueckert.

"I wanted to speak today on the pressure we put on women, whether we put it on women as a society or as women take it on themselves, but we don't need to do it all, and we definitely don't need to do it all in one season of life," said Bueckert. "Every season has its own unique challenges and its own opportunities, and I think too often we put pressure on ourselves to do it all in one shot."

Guest Speaker Karina Bueckert

Bueckert admits to "trying to do it all, in many seasons of her life." She said she's now in a place in her life where she wants to be intentional about what she chooses to do, and not feel like she has to do it all.

"I think it's important for us to be kind and have grace on ourselves and on the women around us and let's celebrate every different choice that is made. We all have the same value."

Professional Photographer, Lynette Giesbrecht spoke about boundaries and self-care within a career, which is an ongoing journey for herself, and many women. She chose to get very raw and real about what burnout might look like and how it creeps up on us, and how to come back from that. "And also setting boundaries in relationships and helping out relationships and our businesses thrive inside of boundaries."

Guest Speaker Lynette Giesbrecht

Giesbrecht says our community has many influential women who are making big impacts, whether it's in politics or community care. She says it's important we don't forget who we are, and the role we play in our community, and a day like International Women's Day offers an opportunity to do that.

Central Station Community Centre Executive Director, Bev Wiebe spoke about experiencing changes, and that it's okay if your planned path changes over time. She said it's a topic her daughters suggested they needed to hear as young women.

"I have come through many different seasons of life where I've been a stay-at-home mom. I've been a travel agent. I've owned a travel agency. I've gone back to being a stay-at-home mom, done lots of volunteer work, and kind of almost by accident came into the role that I'm in right now. And along the way have just tried to focus on developing the best version of myself in that season, and that it's okay to change, not to think that you have to have your career path laid out for you when you're 17 years old and everyone says who are you going to be? Because I went to university for education, and I have never been a teacher."

Guest Speaker Bev Wiebe

Local business owner, Carrie Hiebert co-organized this morning's event to coincide with International Women's Day. Hiebert says the intention was to celebrate one another and encourage each other.

"It's important because women have such a special part in life with our families, with their husbands, with our jobs, with our careers, whatever we're doing, everything that you do as a woman is important. And we just want to encourage each other. Sometimes we don't always have that, and I think it's just great for us to gather and celebrate that."

Event Organizer Carrie Hiebert