In observance of International Women’s Day, the Perry community is holding an event today to celebrate.

Organizer Carol Cavanaugh says the community is invited to the Hotel Pattee, 1112 Willis Avenue to show their appreciation towards women. Cavanaugh explains that this is the sixth such event with the first celebration in Perry happening in 2017 in her home, where she had 10 ladies show up. She outlines that following the first year, the event was moved to La Poste, and now has been at the Hotel Pattee for the last two years. Cavanaugh is happy to honor all women in history.

“We’re celebrating women in the past, too, (and) their achievements and accomplishments, and contributions to society. I have always thought it was very important not to use International Women’s Day necessarily as a political platform because we’re celebrating all women.”

Cavanaugh highlights that four individuals will talk during the program, including Dr. Karen Mason, who is the Curator of the Iowa Women’s Archives at the University of Iowa Libraries, as the keynote speaker. She adds that two Perry High School seniors, Olivia Christensen and Mylah Meis have agreed to be the announcers. Cavanaugh believes that having high school students apart of the celebration, allows them to do more research about the holiday. 

The program is open to anyone with no reservations required and is taking place from 10am-noon. Cavanaugh notes that a luncheon will follow the event at the hotel with soup and salad for $10 per person. She describes that it is a free will donation and people are welcome to bring feminine hygiene products that will go towards Perry High School and the food pantry.