March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD), a global celebration of women and girls. The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is “Give To Gain”, which encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. At Saint Mary’s, we encourage collaboration across faculties and departments, and between students, staff and alumni to create opportunities for learning and support for all women at SMU.
Read below to see events, resources and highlights of our incredible SMU community.
Campus events
Colours of the World: International Women's Day
Thursday, March 5
4-6 p.m.
LI 135, Patrick Power Library
SAGA and the International Student Centre invite you to celebrate and commemorate International Women’s Day.
Take a break from classes and honour the strength, resilience, and achievements of women around the world. This special painting event is a space to reflect, express and celebrate empowerment, equality and community. This is your chance to use creativity as a voice.
All materials and supplies will be provided, just bring yourself and your ideas!
Women in Business Female Empowerment Mixer
Tuesday, March 10
6-9 p.m.
The Gorsebrook Lounge
Celebrate International Women’s Day with the Women in Business Society at the Female Empowerment Mixer. Featuring a keynote speaker, guided networking, and a welcoming space for students, faculty, professionals, and community members to come together and uplift one another.
Community events
2026 Women and Gender Studies Graduate Student Conference
Thursday, March 5
12-4:30 p.m.
Seton Faculty Lounge, MSVU
Register
Graduate students from Professor Tatjana Takševa’s course in transnational feminism will present their research at the 2026 Women and Gender Studies Graduate Student Conference in celebration of International Women’s Day.
The event creates space for critical dialogue, cross-institutional and cross-sectoral collaboration, and features emerging student-driven scholarship addressing global questions of gender, solidarity and power.
Keynote speakers:
Dr. Gugu Hlongwane, Associate Professor of English Language and Literature, SMU, and author of Electric Fences and Other Stories (Mawenzi House 2016)
Sam le Nobel, AMI Fellow, MSVU (2025-2026)
SMU Community Spotlight
Clara Gascoigne BComm’23 MBA’25 was named one of the Top 8 U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians during a ceremony in Ottawa in January 2026. The former Huskies Basketball Guard made a name for herself as one of the most decorated players in U SPORTS women’s basketball, earning accolades like U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year, AUS Most Valuable Player and three-time AUS Champion while retaining a high GPA during her two degrees at SMU. Read more.
Stuti Sandhu, Nahriza Zahid and Nahriza Zahid won the 2025 Innovation Cup with Being There, a non-profit that uses preventive care to help older adults stay safe, stable, and independent while avoiding unnecessary emergency room visits. The cross-faculty team earned the $10,000 grand prize and an additional $1,000 for the Audience Choice Award. Being There is a project of Enactus Saint Mary’s. Read more.
The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health held a case competition this fall to address gender disparity in professional and collegiate coaching. The winning team: Sophie Scully, Jill Duggan, Ashley Penney, Kara MacLean, and Keyara Nelson, pitched a collaborative AUS coaching apprenticeship program, stating, “We envision a future where young women watching the bench can look at the staff and finally see themselves there too, not by exception but by expectation.” Read more.
The SMUSA executive team is breaking barriers as the first all-female executive team in SMU’s history. Augustina Tucker, President & CEO; Angelica Amara, VP Academic; Naomi Selemane, VP Events & Engagement; and Nariman Djamai, VP Societies, are empowering the student community through their leadership for the 2025-26 academic year. Learn more about the SMUSA team.
Resources
Women’s Centre
The SMUSA Women’s Centre is a positive, safe space located on the fifth floor of the Student Centre building on campus. Our space has couches if you would like to either hang out, work on homework, or study in a different setting. We are an awesome feminist-centred space that welcomes all genders and orientations.
Patrick Power Library
This year's theme for International Women’s Day is “Give to Gain.” The theme emphasises the power of reciprocity and support. As individuals, giving support means calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias, celebrating women's success, and more. When women thrive, we all rise.
The SMU Library's International Women's Day book list celebrates women’s contributions to our past, present, and future.
Find the display on the ground floor of the library, or browse the book list online. All Library resources are free for SMU students, faculty, and staff to borrow.
More inspiring women at Saint Mary’s:
Balancing the books and the runway: Chrissy Potter’s dual path from commerce to couture
What A Sin: new exhibition at SMU Art Gallery celebrates matriarchal power
Dr. Danika Van Proosdij leads Gold-certified Green Shores for Homes project
Turning a diagnosis into impact: How Emma McGill is building community through Gluten Free Living
President’s Award for Excellence in Research: Dr. Diane Crocker