Skip to content

Empowerment on the menu for annual International Women’s Day luncheon

Bridges for Women Society aims to inspire women impacted by abuse, violence and trauma
15838973_web1_VNE-WomensDayFundraiser
Victoria Pruden of Bridges for Women (left), hosts Mayor Lisa Helps (right) at the non-profit’s annual luncheon for International Women’s Day. This year’s event takes place March 8 at the Union Club of B.C. Photo courtesy Bridges for Women

Bridges for Women Society always aims to inspire women impacted by abuse, violence and trauma, helping them reclaim their lives and reach economic security.

“We’ve been doing it as our annual signature fundraiser to celebrate International Women’s Day, to promote the accomplishments and the empowerment of women,” says Victoria Pruden, executive director.

“It’s an opportunity for us share every year how important Bridges is to our community.”

Each year for International Women’s Day – March 8 this year – they inspire with a luncheon. The ninth annual event features a panel of influential women from among the thousands of program graduates in the region.

RELATED: International Women’s Day luncheon invites men to the table

“We always feature women who graduated from our program who achieved success,” Pruden said.

The success can be economic, through employment or entrepreneurship, or the more personal successes such as healing, and empowered self esteem, self confidence or ending sometimes intergenerational cycles of abuse.

“It’s as diverse as the women that we serve,” Pruden said.

This year’s keynote speakers include Laura Poland, general manager at Mayfair, Sybil Verch, senior vice-president and national director, wealth management, with Raymond James Ltd., and Penny Sakamoto, group publisher for Black Press.

The panel of powerful women will share insights about women’s empowerment in business, social responsibility, and promote Bridges important work in ending violence against women through healing and empowerment.

Fundraising activities at the event directly support women impacted by violence and trauma by sustaining healing, education and employment programs at Bridges for Women. These programs are essential in ending the cycle of violence, poverty and isolation for women in Greater Victoria. The annual luncheon is March 8 at 11 a.m. at The Union Club of B.C., 805 Gordon St.

Find tickets at eventbrite.ca.



c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca



Christine van Reeuwyk

About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

I'm dedicated to serving the community of Oak Bay as a senior journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
Read more