What Does it Mean to Celebrate International Women’s Day?

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International Women’s Day this year has a whole new meaning.

The turmoil of the pandemic has affected women across the world in a brutal way. Caring for children, looking after sick family members, losing their jobs due to the economic crisis, and having little to no medical care access (particularly feminine health-related) from closing down of “non-essential” clinics-women have been dealt a rough blow in 2020, and its only getting worse in 2021.

This Washington Post article observed that one out of four women who quit their jobs during the pandemic reported the reason as being lack of childcare.

Women also bore the brunt of being trapped in abusive relationships during the lockdowns. As per the UN secretary-general António Guterres, there has been a surge in domestic violence since the beginning of COVID-19.

A recent study involving 104 countries found that women constituted an average of 67% of the health force, with a staggering 80% of nursing staff being female. Still, women earn only a fraction of their male counterparts' income for the same work. Not only do women put their lives under greater threat by being exposed to riskier circumstances, but they also get paid lesser for doing it.

A Brief History of International Women’s Day

According to the International Labor Organization, mothers are still shouldering the majority of caregiving, even with many fathers working from home-full time.

COVID-19 related factors have understandably hurt the mental health of women too. In a recent survey, 53% of women felt that pandemic-related stress negatively affected their mental health compared to 37% of men. When it came to comparing parents of children under 18, this difference rose by 25%, with 57% of mothers feeling buckled under all that stress.

With all this information out there, there is a new understanding of how ‘women’s work’ is undervalued and how challenging it still is for women in 2021, across family life, career, and societal expectations.

This year the 8th of March marks International Women’s Day 2021, and it is a day we join voices and celebrate achievements of all women, from all professions, and in all their diversities.

A Brief History of International Women’s Day

Way back in 1908, when 15,000 women in New York chose to challenge terrible working conditions and exploitation at work, they took to the streets to protest for better pay, shorter hours, and voting rights. Two years later, the first international Women’s Day was observed and saw more than a million people rallying in favor of it. But it was not until 1975 that the United Nations decided to mark March 8th as the International Women’s Day.

The Theme of International Women’s Day 2021

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge. The aim is to see what each of us can do to challenge the status quo and ensure that gender balance is spread across all aspects of society. Each one of us should pledge to do what is needed to challenge stereotyping, discrimination, and gender bias.

As women worldwide in all dimensions battle the social, political and economic fallout from COVID-19, the need to confront and call out prejudice is greater than ever.

Let’s Talk About Girl Power in Texas Food, Agriculture and CPG Sector

On the event of International Women’s Day, TexasRealFood takes this opportunity to highlight women who, with their resilience and grit, are paving the way forward for other women entrepreneurs in the Food, Agriculture and CPG Industry.

Jin-Ya Huang, Break Bread Break Borders

Having a firsthand experience at being an immigrant, Huang knows far too well, how being ‘alien’ and ‘different’ in a new land can feel like. Following in her late mother’s passion of feeding others, Huang founded Break Bread (how long does bread last?) Break Borders, a Dallas catering service with a difference. BBBB empowers refugee women from war-torn countries by giving them an opportunity to hone their culinary skills and inspires them to become excellent cooks, who are proud to bring forth their heritage through food. Read more about them here.

Esther Oppong, Queen Esther’s Cupcakes

Esther Oppong is the force behind Queen Esther’s Cupcakes, an African American cake and cupcake business. Apart from baking fabulously decadent cakes, Esther is involved with Refuge for Women, a program for rehabilitating female sexual exploitation and trafficking survivors.

Refuge for Women is a national, faith-based, residential aftercare program, and Queen Esther’s Cupcakes donates a percentage of all proceeds to support their residents here in North Texas. Esther wishes to leave behind a legacy of supporting and believing in women and is a proud champion for the cause.

Stacey Roussel, All We Need Farm

This unique farm is owned and operated by Stacey Roussel. Their award winning popsicles are made from goat milk, by hand, on their farm. They do not contain any preservatives, stabilizers, or high fructose corn syrup (how long does corn syrup last?). Stacey manages the whole process from land management, herd management, milk management, to quality control, packaging and finally distribution to you. If Stacey isn't one of the G.O.A.T (pun intended!) Texan woman farmers we have, we are not sure who is!

Amy Greer, Winters-Wall Ranch

Being 6th generation rancher of her family, Amy feels extremely grateful to be handed this opportunity as a result. In her view, the largest obstacle to more women getting involved in farming and ranching is availability of affordable land. "There is no way in the world that I would ever be able to afford to buy our ranch today. In order to raise healthy cattle and nurture the land without overgrazing, you need a lot of land", says Amy. She believes developing partnerships, cooperatives and government programs to make land accessible should be a priority for all women that want to see more of us in agriculture in the next generation.

Jeany, Jeany’s Ginger Elixir

Coming from the fragrant ‘Spice Isle’ of Grenada, Jeany, founder and owner of Jeany’s Ginger Elixir feels that there is a need for providing more prospects for women led BIPOC businesses in the CPG industry. “Funding is another crucial issue that is hard to come by for businesses owned by women of color”, she says. Being connected to organizations like Naturally Austin has helped Jeany in getting that exposure and opportunity one needs to take off in the CPG industry and is an avenue, other aspiring women can follow.

This International Women’s Day, Attend an Event!

There are going to be many virtual IWD events happening across the country and worldwide. Find one that interests you and get your colleagues and family to join as well!

We Have Some Events for You!

The Texas farmers market is holding a virtual panel discussion showcasing our very own Texan female farmers market vendors who hail from around the world. Register via Eventbrite and tune in on March 8th to catch Anamaria Guiterrez of Elotes La Tejanita, Garrima Singh of Lamba’s Royal Indian Foods (What wine goes well with Indian food?), Julie Myrtille of Julie Myrtille Bakery, Naijean Bernard of Jeany’s Ginger Elixir and Perrine Noelke of Belle Vie Farm and Kitchen as they discuss what it means to be a part of the Texas food community. The talk will be hosted on Zoom and is FREE to all who register. Click this link to know more!

Naturally Austin is a nonprofit organization that promotes conscious growth, fosters sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship while growing the Central Texas natural and consumer products ecosystem. They are hosting the first ever Women in CPG summit on Monday March 8th, 2021. The summit will feature incredible women founders in the CPG space and inspiring talks on how to position your product, financial empowerment and more! You can register for the Women in CPG Summit here.

Get Educated and Educate Those Around You.

Learn more about the women who chose to challenge their environment to rise and shine. Read about the challenges faced by trans women, women of color, and women with disabilities. Here is an eye-opening piece that talks about sheroes in agriculture.

Shout Out the Lady Bosses in Your Life!

Celebrate the achievements of your favorite women, like your moms, sisters, female friends, and your very own local girl entrepreneurs!

Are Men Welcome to Celebrate IWD Too?

Why not! International Women’s Day is for everyone, irrespective of gender. Male allyship is a welcome development, particularly when men use their privilege to support their female counterparts. Seeking equality for women is just as crucial for men as it is for women.

TexasRealFood wishes a Happy Women’s Day to the women who face everyday challenges in all strata of the community and who push boundaries at every junction. The mothers who pulled all-nighters when we were sick little children, to the sisters who have had our backs always, to the wives who juggle careers and families with so much ease, and all the remarkable women who #choosetochallenge.