In celebration of Women

March 8th is International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.  This year the theme is #choosetochallenge.

In celebration of this day, we reached out to some of the amazing women we know - from our manufacturing partners, to our team members, to the incredible women and girls in our mm community, to ask them what they #choosetochallenge.

Jennifer Lee, Vice President of Operations, & Andrea Lee, Project Manager, mm partner factory:
“We challenge the notion of gender bias by converting the unconscious to conscious: let’s get confident talking about uncomfortable topics! Norms for inequality didn’t materialize overnight and won’t be diminished without effort, but together we can educate and create change.”

Trisha Enriquez, @TrishaEnriquez, mm community member; health, fitness and motherhood blogger:
“I #choosetochallenge young women to continue speaking their truth and to be bold and brave especially in moments when it feels the hardest”

Harper Nuit, @HarperHijack, mm community member and daughter of @TrishaEnriquez:
“I #choosetochallenge people to do more for our planet so we can have a better future.”

Monique Taylor-Yee Shui, @bymeaux, mm community member; creator, designer & DIY expert:
"I choose to challenge the gender stereotypes and call out gendered assumptions in the corporate workplace."

Siera Bearchell, @SieraBearchell, mm community member; creator and law graduate:
"I choose to challenge the language we use towards our daughters. Starting as toddlers, our daughters are often told they are "pretty" before they are told they are "strong." They are complimented on their clothing before they are complimented on their actions. Our daughters need to know that their worth lies much deeper than their looks and what they wear."

Melody Adjei, @MelodyAdjei, mm community member:
"I #choosetochallenge what it means to be a black mother working in tech. With two young daughters, I hope to set an example of challenging notions of womanhood, beauty and expression to encompass and encourage whatever form of gender expression for them and their peers."

Kate Dunne, mm Guest Experience and Community Coordinator:
"I choose to challenge the unattainable beauty standards used in advertising. We are surrounded with unrealistic images of 'beauty' which has caused many to feel unhappy in their appearance. We need to see more real bodies, and unfiltered faces in advertising."

Silvia Canovas Closa, mm Product Development and Production Coordinator:
"Dedication, effort, and passion should be enough for any woman to go where she sets out. I #choosetochallenge the glass ceiling." 

Joann Schelstraete, mm Managing Director and Head of Product:
"I choose to challenge the amazing women of our world to continue being supportive, nurturing, inspiring, fearless, and ever so strong.."

Alyssa Kerbel, @AlyssaKerbel, Founder of mini mioche:
"I choose to challenge the idea that women can't (or choose not to) support other women. We need to be each other's biggest advocates, supporters, mentors, coaches and guardian angels. We need to lift each other up and push each other forward. Because incredible things happen when women support other women."

Emerson King, mm community member and Alyssa's daugher:
"I choose to challenge the idea that there are certain things girls can't do. Careers, sports - girls can do anything that boys can do!"

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Did you know? 

Women's participation in the labour force has reached its lowest levels in over 3 decades due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report by RBC Economics.

15% of all sales today will be donated to the Good to be Good Foundation's Women's Relief Fund in support of diverse women and children experiencing gender-based violence, abuse, crisis and poverty in our local communities.

What do you #ChooseToChallenge?