International Women’s Day was designed to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. All around the globe, women (and of course, men too) are encouraged to use the hashtag #beboldforchange to call on the masses to help forge a better working world, a more gender inclusive world.

In agriculture, women are everywhere. They are at the grain elevator, pulling calves, on the combine, in the kitchen, at a grain marketing workshop, in the office, working research plots, and attending agriculture related studies in University. In fact, 63 percent of first year Ag students at the U of S are women.

So, what’s the problem?

Let’s start off by saying, we’re lucky. Most of us grew up in a world where we have basic civil rights. We didn’t grow up in the same world that our mother did, or our grandmother did.

The problem is that women are not making it to the top, of any profession, anywhere in the world. And the numbers clearly show that:

Women hold just 8.5% of Canada’s top jobs.
Less than 20% of corporate board positions at Canadian stock index companies are held by women.
The wage gap in Canada shows that women earn 79% of what their male counterparts earn.
Of all the people in Parliament in the world, less than 15% are women.
Only 28.8% of all farm operators are women.

Further to this, women often take on supporting roles in agriculture, specifically on farming operations. If Canadian women in agriculture suffer from any serious shortfall, it’s being overly modest.

Women often choose personal fulfillment over professional success. As Chief Operating Officer of Facebook and Founder of the LeanIN Foundation Sheryl Sandberg says, “We need more women to sit at the table and negotiate for themselves in the workplace,” and of course, on the farm.

Support women in agriculture.

Empower them to sit at the table, to let their voice be heard.

SK-WIA is so honoured to be supported by Hillberg & Berk in their International Woman's Day campaign. H&B have created a very special piece to celebrate. The "Venus Necklace" has a signature H&B charm featuring the Venus symbol on an 18" diamond-faceted Italian silver chain with a white sparkle ball and a moonstone gem on either side. We hope you will wear this necklace as a badge of female strength and empowerment, and to embrace your unique sparkle.

You can purchase a Venus necklace at any Hillberg and Berk store, or on the Hillberg and Berk website. When you receive your necklace, there will be a special code packaged inside. (Note: you do not receive this code at the time of purchase) Simply revisit the website, enter in this code and choose which charity you would like to your donation to go towards. Please note that the full purchase price will be donated to the organization you designate, all three of which celebrate the power of women. Get one for yourself or spread a little sparkle and purchase one for a well deserving woman in your life.

The funds we raise through this campaign will go towards our events which are hosted to educate, empower, support, and connect all the wonderful women within our industry.

Please let us know on social media when you receive your piece by using the hashtags #SKWIA and #ShareYourSparkle.

Shannon O'Neill, Yorkton SK #Shareyoursparkle #SKWIA

Kim Keller- Melfort, SK #Shareyoursparkle #SKWIA

Ginelle Pidwerbesky - Calgary, AB #Shareyour

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Thank-you to Hillberg and Berk for selecting SK-Women in Ag as recipient of this amazing initiative.