International Women's Day was adopted as a worldwide day of celebration by the United Nations (UN) in 1975. It is held on March 8 every year.

In preparation for the day, women from around the Pembina Valley got together on Wednesday for the 4th annual EmpowHER event hosted by the Morden & District Chamber of Commerce (MDCC).

Executive Director of the MDCC and event organizer, Candace Olafson says, "we had about 75 [people] and so that was sold out for us. We were honoured to listen to our guest speakers Heidi Janzen and Lisa Dyck, co-owners of Shear Bliss."

Janzen says the speakers from previous years have always been women to look up to, and as the guest speaker this year was hoping "to encourage women, to also challenge them to step outside their comfort zone. To step through doors that might be scary to step through, and not be afraid when a door closes."

She adds, life can throw all types of wrenches and heartbreak into your plans, but we can learn from each other's experiences and learn to survive and thrive through them together.

Dyck says their line of work also allows them to listen to the women that sit in their chairs, and she feels extremely lucky to have this opportunity every day at work.

They both believe that it is important for women to encourage and celebrate each other, whether entrepreneurs, wives, or mothers, says Janzen.

She adds, "not to say that we know all and have all the answers, but just from our own lives and how we've run our business, we hope that that will encourage women to step out, believe in themselves, [and] take a risk. You never know what door is going to open."

As an organizer, Olafson says the event is a wonderful chance to support organizations like the Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre, and hopes everyone continues supporting women every day of the year.

"I think everyone leaves with some pretty strong messages and I think that just trickles out to their own women within their own community."