It’s been 46 years since the United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day as a global observance on March 8. First held as a largely decentralized series of movements advocating for better working conditions among female laborers, mostly in North America and Europe, it’s now a worldwide celebration that also serves to remind everyone of what efforts still need to be undertaken on the path to gender equality.

In this Promo Insiders episode, Ann Baiden, CEO and founder of Innovatex Solutions Inc. (asi/231194) in Richmond Hill, ON, and a co-chair of the annual Promotional Products Professionals of Canada’s Women’s Empowerment Event (WEE) shares her thoughts about the annual observance and the important business lessons she’s learned during her time in the industry.

While championing fellow women in promo, Innovatex – a certified Women’s Business Enterprise in Canada – also gives back through support of charities like Yellow Brick House, a women’s shelter in Richmond Hill – the team donates “confidence bags” to guests who often arrive with little more than the clothes they’re wearing and a few small items in a garbage bag.

“We’ve come a long way,” said Baiden, “but there’s still a long way to go, unfortunately, until we can reach gender equity and opportunity. International Women’s Day an important reminder of the work that we’re doing every day.”