Birchwood celebrates Women’s Day
August 9 is Women’s Day and the month of August is National Women’s Month.
To celebrate the strength of women in business and the important role that all South African women play in the country, the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre hosted Gauteng’s corporate women at their annual Birchwood Women’s Day event on August 3.
According to Urban House Media’s Tegan Mitchell, the aim of this event was to share ideas, discuss important issues that affect women in business and the celebration of overcoming adversity and individual achievement.
Attendees were treated to a three-course meal and a star-studded line-up of inspiring speakers.
On stage was former The X Factor South Africa winner Steven Lee Lewis, who got the room dancing to his electric live percussion, smooth keys and backup dancers.
Businesswoman Zipho Sikhakhane was among the guest speakers who delivered rousing and inspirational speeches during the event attended by dozens of local women.
Sikhakhane shared her inspiring story of growth, from a poor township in KwaZulu-Natal to business success.
- History of Women’s Day
Although nowadays the national celebration is aimed at inspiring women across the country, the origin behind it is the August 9, 1956, women’s march against the then pass laws.
The demonstration was triggered by what was described as unjust, unfair and demoralising amendments to the Urban Areas Act.
About 20 000 women from all walks of life and from all the then four provinces of the country marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
They presented a petition against the country’s then pass laws which required women to carry a passport, known as a pass, which was used to control urbanisation, manage migrant labourers and maintain population segregation during the apartheid era.
It was then agreed it would be marked annually to promote equal opportunities and rights for women.
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