Downtown Dundas BIA marks International Women's Day
Downtown Dundas BIA is marking International Women's Day, March 8, by recognizing many member businesses owned and operated by women.
In a press release on Friday, Feb. 24, BIA chair Jenn Hayes - co-owner of Jax Sweet Shoppe with her sister Tara - stated the campaign was organized by Sell it 2 Wear it owner Monika Waszczuk with support from Travis Singleton of 20two19 Photography. The Dundas Museum & Archives provided space for photo shoots.
A poster featuring 24 Downtown Dundas business women, in an embracing" pose to reflect this year's International Women's Day theme Embracing Equity" will be shared online and in storefronts.
Hayes said the project's goals include celebrating the achievements of women and girls who have helped shape the world today, and fostering a sense of community among downtown business owners and community members.
Leading up to and during the week of International Women's Day, photographs will be posted through social media channels with short biographies on the women," Hayes said. During the week of March 8, people walking through Dundas will be able to see posters of these women in local storefronts. We are very excited that through this project we can highlight the fact that the majority of Downtown Dundas businesses are women owned or operated."
She said the Dundas BIA was thrilled to support the campaign by sponsoring the posters and reaching out to its membership to encourage participation.
We have so many amazing businesses in our community that work really hard each day to provide quality service in the shopping, dining and personal service industries," Hayes said. You can meet some of our local downtown women business owners and leaders by following us on social media starting Feb. 28 at 7 p.m."
The campaign will be available at the BIA's Facebook page (DowntownDundasBIA) and its Instagram page (@dwntwndundasbia).
Sell it 2 Wear it and 20two19 Photography have started posting photos and bios on their social media.
New Downtown Dundas BIA executive director Kelsey Nydam mentioned the International Women's Day project during her first Business Improvement Area subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Nydam, the former executive director of Downtown Wallaceburg BIA said the Dundas organization was working on setting up its delayed annual general meeting - where members will approve a proposed 2023 budget for submission to the city.
Just a few weeks after starting the job with Downtown Dundas BIA, which had been without a staff member for approximately 11 months, Nydam said working on the International Women's Day project is a good introduction to everybody."
Hayes is the fifth Downtown Dundas BIA chair in the last three years.