Equity still in motion: Women’s march for justice 25 years later

Twenty-five years after the first World March of Women, the streets of Fredericton filled once again with the sound of drums, chants and voices calling for equality. (Polina Kozlova/AQ)

On Oct. 17, more than 250 people gathered downtown for “Equity in Motion” to remind New Brunswick that the fight for women’s rights and pay equity is far from over.

The march, organized by the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity, echoed the spirit of the 2000s march that united women across the province and beyond. Just like back then, participants demanded fair pay and action against gender-based violence — issues that continue to shape women’s lives today.

Participants walked along Queen Street holding signs that read “Equal Pay for Equal Work” and “Equity in Motion.” (Polina Kozlova/AQ)

The crowd included students, union representatives and community leaders united by a shared goal — equality.

Among the participants was Celina Richard, board member of the Coalition and representative of the Upper Saint John Valley.

“Pay equity matters to me,” she said. “I first learned about it in a class on women and social change and I couldn’t believe we don’t have this protected by law. The public sector is covered, but we’re still waiting for the private sector. With the Premier now willing to move the law forward, it’s a great time to show up and hold her to her promise,” said Richard.

Premier Susan Holt and Hon. Ginette Taylor shared a moment during the march — two women who helped lead the first World March of Women in New Brunswick 25 years ago, now watching a new generation take up the cause. (Polina Kozlova/AQ)

For Holt, the day was both a celebration and a call to action.

“We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of the march and reinvigorating our efforts to push for women’s equality,” she said. “I want to recognize the New Brunswick women who were part of this all those years ago and celebrate the progress that’s been made, while adding fuel to our continued motivation to close the gap. We’ve still got a long way to go.”

Holt smiled while looking at the large crowd and addressing the women before her.

“It’s a huge turnout,” she said. “It goes to show that we both have something to celebrate and there’s an army of women that will not let up until we have the equality that we seek.”

Signs and banners from the march recall the movement’s history. (Polina Kozlova/AQ)

Twenty-five years ago, 139 women from New Brunswick boarded buses to New York to join the first World March of Women.

Along the way, they gathered signatures, built alliances and carried the message that “correcting wage discrimination is correcting a major cause of women’s poverty.”