Chestermere Celebrates Women at International Women’s Day Gala

Women from across Chestermere gathered over the weekend to celebrate leadership, resilience, and community spirit during an International Women’s Day Gala held March 7 at Lakeside Golf Club.
Hosted by the City of Chestermere in partnership with local organizations, the evening brought together residents, community advocates, and civic leaders for a celebration recognizing the contributions of women in the community. The event embraced an “Old Hollywood glamour” theme, with attendees encouraged to dress for the occasion while enjoying refreshments, music, and raffle draws.
Although the Chestermere Anchor was unable to attend the event in person, the paper spoke with several attendees the following day about the atmosphere and the message behind the evening.
Participants said the event balanced celebration with awareness, highlighting organizations that support women facing difficult circumstances in the community.
Representatives from the Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society and the local support program Gifts of Kindness spoke during the evening about the importance of community support systems.
The Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society provides assistance to women and families experiencing crisis situations, including domestic violence, by connecting them with resources, advocacy, and safety planning. The organization works with community partners such as local RCMP and regional victim-support services to help residents access support when needed.
Speakers also highlighted the work of Gifts of Kindness, a program that provides financial assistance and other support to residents experiencing financial hardship.
Jessica George, community wellness coordinator for Gifts of Kindness, told attendees that women often underestimate the significance of their achievements.
“I don’t think women give themselves enough credit to actually celebrate all their achievements and their accomplishments,” George said.
She noted that events like the gala are an opportunity not only to celebrate success, but also to increase awareness of challenges that can exist even in growing suburban communities.
“People still have a bit of a misunderstanding about who lives in Chestermere and all the people that are in need,” she said. “Events like these get that awareness and really support people and let people know support is out there too.”
International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. The day is also intended to promote awareness about gender equality and the need for continued progress.
For many attendees, the local gala served as a reminder that these issues are not distant concerns but part of everyday life in communities across Alberta.
Residents who attended described the evening as both celebratory and reflective, with community members taking time to recognize women who contribute to local organizations, volunteer work, and community leadership.
Several attendees said the event also provided an opportunity to learn about resources that may not always be widely known in the community.
Chestermere has experienced rapid population growth in recent years, bringing both opportunities and challenges as the city expands. Community organizations say maintaining awareness about social supports remains important as the population grows and diversifies.
Events such as the International Women’s Day Gala help connect residents with those organizations while recognizing the contributions of women who help shape the community.
For many who attended, the message of the evening was simple: celebration and support can go hand in hand.