The theme of the March 8, 2025 International Women’s Day is “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This is a call to action, according to UN Women, to “unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.” There is particular focus on empowering the next generation “as catalysts for lasting change.”

This year, with particularly strong resonance and urgency, International Women’s Day is about fighting to challenge violence, discrimination, and exploitation. Addressing systemic barriers and dismantling inequities, ensuring “inclusive access to education, employment, leadership, and decision-making spaces.” 

In recognition of International Women’s Day, we’re sharing four Alberta magazine stories of inspirational women advocating for justice, overcoming adversity to empower others, unabashedly asserting their experiences, and dedicating their lives to the fight for women’s rights.  

Rayanne Haines’ book of poetry “What Kind of Daughter?” provides “unabashed assertions revolving around sexuality’s conflicts, problematic familial bonds and personal approaches to feminism,” as reviewed by Catherine Owen in Alberta Views. “It’s hard to admit to these realities yet it’s even more necessary now, as women are being questioned again for speaking about their wombs and their own valid experiences of periods or menopause.”

EDify’s profile of Edmonton alderman (alderperson) Jan Reimer is aptly titled “‘Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down.’” Jan Reimer, who has spent her career protecting others through her political will, “has seen a lot of change since running campaigns and councils that focused on environmental and women’s rights issues, and the change hasn’t all been good. ‘Sometimes it feels now we’re going backwards…’”

IMPACT Magazine shines the spotlight on Anita Cardinal in “The Trail Blazer and Advocate, ” and how she harnesses her passion for Indigenous rights through trail running. “Running and law make up only part of the remarkable story. Heroically, she’s meshed those elements to further her true passion—Indigenous advocacy and justice.”

The artist Natalia Smith describes her exhibition “Mending Relations” for Galleries West: “I aim to highlight an organic and symbiotic relationship between women and land, to liberate both entities from social, economic, and political structures of oppression.” She goes on to describe her work as a “dialogue with the lineage of feminist and ecological practices that critique systems of power while envisioning new ways of coexisting with the environment.”

International Women’s Day is also the perfect opportunity to introduce you to Ladies Corner magazine: “Founded in 2019, Ladies Corner exists to empower women with creative ideas with the impetus to succeed by giving them the visibility they need and deserve.” The publication covers everything from national and local news, to health and beauty, to music, books, and events, highlighting the BIPOC community, specifically women, of Edmonton.

You’ll find more stories of women trailblazers and visionaries in our post for Canadian Women’s History Month in October!