THUNDER BAY — Goods & Co. Market is a nearly 90 per cent female run market space that acknowledges the importance of International Women’s Day.
On Saturday, Goods & Co. Market had a female-owned business market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a speaker panel from 4 to 7 p.m.
“We're bringing women together in a space to talk about women's equity and the challenges and barriers that we may come in different areas of our life. Coming from different cultural backgrounds and different ages, how we can band together and support each other through everything. Whether it's business, life, being moms, caregivers, friends, and supporting each other through life,” said Maelyn Hurley, owner of Goods & Co. Market.
Hurley and co-organizer, Romy Marlo, realized prior to the Goods & Co. event, there wasn’t something in the city similar occurring.
“That's what inspired us to bring it to the forefront. Goods & Co. Market is a pretty much 90 per cent female run market space and business owned here, so that's always been really important to me.
“Having an event to celebrate women and to celebrate gender equity, whatever you identify as, and how important that is. We are just about embracing equality and community and inclusive spaces, that's what this event is really about,” she said.
The event celebrates everybody, Hurley said.
“We’re acknowledging women warriors in our community that are doing incredible things. I think it's just really important and we love bringing people together,” she said.
Romy Marlo, co-organizer of the event, said the four panelists were handpicked.
“Our panelists this evening are Sarah Kae, Cassidy J, Kimberley Mauro and Dely Goicochea. They really represent such a diversified group of women, all different ages and backgrounds and different life experiences.
“We are really excited to give them the microphone and hear them share their stories and not only the obstacles but also the things that they've done to overcome and be really successful in their lives.”
Marlo said all funds raised from the day will go to Isthmus Thunder Bay.
“Isthmus Thunder Bay is an incredible organization that supports children who are not fed on the weekends otherwise.
“What they do is they raise money for food and then they fill the backpacks of these children. There are 439 children through 19 different schools. They provide meals for these children so that they can access food over the weekend.
“It's $3 a meal. Last year we raised $1,500 and this year our goal is to raise $5,000, which works out to 1,666 meals,” she said.
The organizers are confident they will reach the goal, which is three times the amount raised in 2024.
“Just imagine the impact for the children,” Marlo said.
