A look at the buttons for sale by the women's shelter. -- SUBMITTED PHOTO
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society is selling buttons this year in lieu of one of its biggest fundraisers.
The organization has had to cancel its yearly Bread and Roses Gala, which brings in thousands for the shelter’s ongoing community programming. Instead, the shelter has designed buttons and is selling them on a donation basis at multiple businesses.
“The gala is always held around the time of International Women’s Day, which is March 8,” said community education and awareness co-ordinator Peggy Revell. “The Gala is usually a great time where we highlight all of the things we’re doing at the shelter.
“Unfortunately, COVID has made it so we can’t host the Gala.
“We wanted to make sure we still did something for International Women’s Day and to keep the community in the loop.”
There are three different button designs available, one with roses, one with a photo from an early strike and the third one has a photo from a local strike.
“It features a bunch of women from Medalta who were on strike there during the 1947 strike,” said Revell. “It’s a really important image and it ties things to our community a bit.
“I think this shows how long women have been fighting for equality in the workplace.”
Buttons will be available like Poppies are, where people can donate whatever they feel is appropriate.
The shelter is asking people who would normally attend the gala to consider donating directly to the organization this year.
The buttons can be found at Dee’s Bakery, Zucchini Blossom, Station Coffee, Red Velvet Hair and Body Bar, Medalta and MacKenzie Drugs.
