Join the ‘celebration wave’ for International Women’s Day

As per tradition, several women gather for the Women’s Month Day of Prayer at the Kristo Rai Church in Garapan last Sunday and as a community service, donated nonperishable goods and toiletries to help replenish the Karidat Social Services pantry. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

As the world marks International Women’s Day today and the CNMI celebrates Women’s History Month, members of the CNMI’s Office of the Governor’s Women’s Affairs Office and the CNMI’s Women’s Association will be gathered at the Garapan Fishing Base in Kristo Rai tonight at 5pm and are inviting all women and supporters to join them to show support of CNMI women by waving and sharing their messages in banners and posters.

Tonight’s event, called a “celebration wave” for International Women’s Day, is just one of the many activities the CNMI’s Office of the Governor’s Women’s Affairs Office and the CNMI’s Women’s Association have lined up for the month.

Women’s Affairs Office special adviser Shirley Camacho-Ogumoro, and CWA’s project director Valentina Rivera shared that not only will the month be full of community events celebrating women, but on March 31, 2023 the organizations are collaborating to bring this year’s edition of the Women’s Summit. More details on the summit are to be announced as the date nears.

Last Sunday, March 5, 2023, they had the Women’s Month Day of Prayer at the Kristo Rai Church in Garapan. At the 9:30am Mass at the Kristo Rai parish, many women gathered and, as per tradition, donated canned goods, non-perishable items, and toiletries to the Karidat Social Services’ pantry as part of their community contributions this month. She also mentioned that there are several organizations on island that are holding programs in celebration of Women’s History Month, and she encouraged the public’s support and involvement in these programs.

Women of the Saipan’s Rotary Club and club president Wendell Posadas pose with CNMI’s Women’s Association’s project director Valentina Rivera, after Rivera’s presentation yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. (CHRYSTAL MARINO)

Rivera, who was the guest speaker at the Saipan’s Rotary Club’s luncheon at Hyatt Regency Saipan yesterday, further advocated and shared the CWA’s mission in helping empower and support aspiring businesswomen in the CNMI. Rivera said that, after a pause in the Women’s Entrepreneurs Project Cohort 3, they are seeking to reopen that as soon they have more women involved, and they are also trying to get several businesses to join in sponsoring the event and making way for more avenues of support for women entrepreneurs in the CNMI. Rivera also mentioned the ongoing entrepreneurs vendors spot at their location on Capital Hill, which happens every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, from 9am until 2pm, (depending on the vendors) and will offer a market of goods from women entrepreneurs. There will also be an indoor consignment market that will also feature the work of women entrepreneurs. Supporters and interested individuals are welcome to check out the event.

In her message to women in the CNMI this month, Ogumoro said, “Be yourself, your beauty is not just outside but also from within, and continue to inspire women around you and be that role model—women empowering women.” Ogumoro also encouraged women to participate and take advantage of all the free programs and events held to celebrate women.

“We want to support every one of us out there that has a dream to be an entrepreneur or wants to have their own lives for themselves. …Just like Miley Cyrus says, ‘We can buy our own flowers,’ and we can support ourselves and we can push ourselves; and the most important thing is initiative. Everyone else can hype you and push you to do things, but really it’s your destiny, it’s your journey, and you have to do that yourself. So I would push people to do it, and today, this year 2023, do it,” said Rivera.

To follow these organizations, and to keep updated on ongoing events you can follow them @CNMI Women’s Affairs Office and @CNMI Women’s Association on Facebook.