International Women's Day #PressforProgress

What will you be doing today for International Women's Day? 

I plan to celebrate women's achievements!

Personal Life:

I found this list longlist for 2018 Women’s Prize for Fiction via Twitter and some friends tweeting about it. It intrigued me, so I took a peak at the list and I've decided to read a book from the list ASAP. I chose Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (I borrowed the audiobook version from the library using Overdrive so I can listen during my commute to work). 

Check out the rest of the list here. 

Now, I recently finished a great book, that has inspired me to read more fiction written by women, called The Heroine's Bookshelf: Life Lessons, from Jane Austen to Laura Ingalls Wilder by Erin Balkemore. I am on the search to own a copy of this book. 

The Heroine's Bookshelf: Life Lessons, from Jane Austen to Laura Ingalls Wilder by Erin Balkemore

Published: October 19, 2010

Publisher: Harper

Pages: 224

A testament to inspirational women throughout literature, Erin Blakemore’s exploration of classic heroines and their equally admirable authors shows today’s women how to best tap into their inner strengths and live life with intelligence, grace, vitality and aplomb. This collection of unforgettable characters—including Anne Shirley, Jo March, Scarlett O’Hara, and Jane Eyre—and outstanding authors—like Jane Austen, Harper Lee, and Laura Ingalls Wilder—is an impassioned look at literature’s most compelling heroines, both on the page and off. Readers who found inspiration in books by Toni Morrison, Maud Hart Lovelace, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Alice Walker, or who were moved by literary-themed memoirs like Shelf Discovery and Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, get ready to return to the well of women’s classic literature with The Heroine's Bookshelf.

Reading this group of essays on so many different topics has made me want to read all of the books mentioned within. Each section holds an essay based on the author of the book and the female character within said book. After discussing the author and character combo, Ms. Blakemore also lists other books/characters with similar traits. Some of the topics include Faith, Ambition, and Compassion. I like to think of this as a celebration of achievements made by female authors over the years and how each author or character could be looked upon as a role model depending on the stage you are at in life. I'd love to own this book and then read each book referenced while reading the individual essays as a way of exploring the topics, authors and characters. 

Work Life:

The Pantone colour of the year was announced and it's Ultra Violet! How fitting! And with my new role at work, I've organized for my co-workers to wear purple in honour of the day. 

The colour purple symbolises achievements gained and achievements yet to come. -source

I've also setup a selfie station for clients to take photos holding up these amazing selfie cards to support #PressforProgress. This is my way of celebrating my newest achievement of moving to a new role at work that garners more responsibility, new challenges and allows me to show my skills. I'm looking forward to having a more proactive role in my own future!

Let me know what you did to celebrate. Or any books by female authors or with female charcters that I must add to my ever growing wishilist. What do you think of this years theme - #PressforProgess?