International Women's Day 2026
CFUW Orillia International Women’s Day Afternoon Tea
Steeped in Strength: Celebrating Women, Our History and Legacy
CFUW Orillia celebrated International Women’s Day 2026 on March 8 at St. Andrew’s Church. Members and guests filled the room for an afternoon of conversation, inspiration, and celebration of women’s achievements.
We were especially moved by remarks from scholarship recipients Dr. Alisha Fernandes and Dr. Molly-Claire Gillett, who spoke about what receiving a CFUW Orillia Scholarship has meant to them and the difference it made in their educational journeys. Susan Smith delivered a captivating portrayal of Harriet Todd, highlighting her pioneering role as a physician, educator, and early advocate for women’s rights, a legacy that beautifully reflected the spirit of International Women’s Day.
Guests enjoyed a beautiful afternoon tea, complete with delicious tea sandwiches, sweets, and of course plenty of tea. With such a wonderful mix of members and non-members attending, the afternoon was a joyful celebration of community, conversation, and the enduring spirit of International Women’s Day.
International Women's Day - March 8, 2025
Our International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 celebration was a tremendous success, with over 50 participants joining us for an inspiring and engaging event.
We were honored to welcome Dr. Eleanor Gittens as our guest speaker. She led an interactive session on stress management, demonstrating effective breathing techniques and introducing the mindfulness “5,4,3,2,1” method—encouraging participants to focus on five things they can see, four things they can feel, three things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste. She also shared insights on the R.A.I.N. approach (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture), a powerful practice for cultivating mindfulness.
The event also featured a dynamic networking session, where attendees exchanged thoughts on Inspirational Quotes from Influential Women, sparking meaningful conversations.
A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsor, Coralee Monaghan of Coralee Monaghan Interiors, for supporting this event.
International Women's Day - March 7, 2024
A panel discussion on the theme “Realizing Potential. For All Women.” featuring Leah Den Bok, Author and Photographer, Madeleine Fournier, Community organizer and advocate for environmental issues and social justice, and Amber McGarvey-Moreland, Founder of Wide Awake Club for Mommas. Our moderator was Jacqueline Surette, CFUW Orillia Member.
International Women's Day - March 8, 2023 Photo Gallery
