International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The annual observance of IWD is March 8 each year, and all 31 days of March are dedicated to Women’s History Month. This year’s #IWD2022 theme is “Break the Bias,” a call-to-action to actively call out gender bias, discrimination, and stereotyping each time you see it. Our staff and clients are striking the official #IWD2022 pose by crossing their arms to show solidarity. Will you join us? Strike the IWD 2022 pose and share your #BreakTheBias image on social media, tagging Friendship Bridge on each platform and using #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias to encourage further people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.

IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. This year, we invite you to celebrate the achievements of women with us at the following local and virtual events as we continue creating opportunities that empower Guatemalan women to build a better life.

Our Handmade Virtual Fair is right around the corner on Thursday, February 17th from 11:00am MST – 12:30pm MST. As an attendee of this online event, you will be able to virtually “meet” our talented and inspiring artisans. They will take you behind the scenes to show you their incredible handmade products so that you can learn about their techniques and see their skills in action. You’ll also have the opportunity to buy brand new arrivals at special, wholesale prices! Don’t miss out on this awesome event, hosted by Handmade by Friendship Bridge®.

Photo by Carlo Novoa

We’re excited to be the guests of a Live Event on March 2, 2022, hosted by our partner and friend, Carlo Novoa, from Guatemala. Based in Los Angeles, California, Carlo was first introduced to Friendship Bridge through a mutual friend of a long-time supporter and Circle Volunteer. Now a salon owner, entrepreneur, licensed prayer coach/practitioner, and motivational speaker, Carlo hosts a weekly online Live Event called, “Wednesday Women of Power” on Instagram @litfromwith. The team at Handmade by Friendship Bridge is excited to join him again!

Chief Development Officer, Nicole Eubanks (left), and Major Gifts Officer, Jennifer Thompson (right), at the Week of Women Kick-Off Event.

Week of Women is a local initiative designed to celebrate women across Colorado and shine a light on issues impacting women in Colorado by highlighting an entire week of programming and events taking place across Colorado by various organizations and community groups. Week of Women will run from March 3 to 13, 2022, and aims to inspire and connect women throughout Colorado to get involved in their communities and learn about issues affecting women. As part of Week of Women, CBS4 is hosting a comprehensive list of events on cbsdenver.com and will highlight those key events and organizations in the weeks leading up to the Week of Women. A robust television and digital campaign will be developed to promote the Week of Women and to recognize and celebrate the leadership role that women play in business, academia, government, community-building, philanthropy, and families. Catch us at the Kick-Off Event on March 3, 2022.

Denver-based choir Kantorei will be performing an exciting new project between musicians in Guatemala and the United States using poems of respected poet Humberto Ak’abal. Music will be performed by award-winning composer Jake Runestad for choir, string quartet, and marimba, the national instrument of Guatemala. Beloved Guatemalan, Ki’iche’ Maya poet Humberto Ak’abal (1952-2019) was one of the most important poets in Central America. His poems explore the Guatemalan Civil War, the genocide of his Mayan peoples, the earth, spirituality, the importance of supporting indigenous culture, and have inspired millions across Central America and the world. Friendship Bridge invites you to attend one (or two) of their upcoming performances: Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 7:30pm @ First Plymouth Congregational Church and Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 3:00pm @ Wellshire Presbyterian Church. 

In commemoration of International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8, our team in Guatemala is hosting a special Facebook Live Event with our partners at Plan International, including a representative from our Customer Advisory Committee, to talk about how women break paradigms established by society in search of equality and empowerment.

Also on Tuesday, March 8, the team at Handmade by Friendship Bridge® will share with you amazing and powerful stories from our empowered artisans in Guatemala.

Major Gifts Officer, Jennifer Thompson (left), Chief Development Officer, Nicole Eubanks (middle), and Friendship Bridge Development Associate, Eleanor Ruth (right), at the WorldDenver Event on March 8, 2022.

Friendship Bridge is excited to participate in the in-person networking session of WorldDenver’s International Women’s Day Luncheon on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at the Denver Center for Performing Arts in Denver, Colorado. The programming portion of the luncheon features a keynote by Elizabeth Nyamayaro, Humanitarian and UN Special Advisor. Get your ticket today and visit us at our networking table in the Bonfils lobby. WorldDenver is a nonprofit community organization that promotes a greater understanding of world affairs and cultures throughout the Denver Metro area, creating and implementing unique programs that connect Coloradans with experts, leaders, and ideas from all over the world.

Join women, donors, activists, and others working passionately to create change on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 4-7pm MST at the McNichols Civic Center Building in Denver, Colorado, hosted by Women Powering Change. This inspiring event brings together more than 1,000 community members, leaders, activists, volunteers, and philanthropists with more than 100 Colorado-based organizations to showcase what women are doing to catalyze social change locally and globally to create a better world. This will be an expo-style event where you can come meet community leaders and learn what is being done in Colorado. Be part of the conversations about sustainability, social justice, gender equity, and more. The event is free!

We are so excited to open the doors of our Friendship Bridge office in Lakewood, Colorado on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Guests will have the opportunity to:

1. Shop our new and expanded Handmade by Friendship Bridge® showroom. All products were handmade by our talented artisans in Guatemala.
2. Learn more about the launch of our new Volunteer Program and hear about how local Coloradoans are impacting the lives of our clients.
3. Visit the beautiful display of museum-quality Guatemalan huipiles showcased in the office.
4. Meet our staff in an informal open house and see our newly remodeled location.

Stay Connected!

Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors, and partners for supporting Friendship Bridge this month. You can stay connected with our work and support our mission in a number of ways: