International Women’s Day at Goods & Co. Market

Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Connor Remus

Romy Marlo of The Uncommon Woman Inc. and Maelyn Hurley of Goods & Co. Market have joined forces again this year to offer a two-day event series celebrating International Women’s Day. After the success of last year’s inaugural series, Marlo and Hurley are ready to embrace this year’s “Inspire Inclusivity” theme with a continued focus on bringing women of the community together.

“To us, ‘Inspire Inclusivity’ means to provide opportunity and a platform for people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and abilities to come together and share their stories,” says Marlo, who adds that it is also to “provide support for one another as we learn ways to work together and engage in more inclusive environments.”

(L-R) Romy Marlo of The Uncommon Woman Inc. and Maelyn Hurley of Goods & Co. Market

Marlo and Hurley combined efforts in January 2023 after recognizing a post-pandemic need for women to come together and connect in the community. Marlo explains they wanted to create unique opportunities for women in Thunder Bay and the region to connect, build new friendships, and to deepen existing ones. Thanks to their combined experiences in hosting events and their passion for bringing people together, their first International Women’s Day (IWD) event in March 2023 was a success.

The 2024 IWD #inspireinclusivity Luncheon will be held on March 8 from noon to 2 pm at Goods & Co. Market, featuring salad from The Growing Season, fresh bread, and a specialty dessert by Both Hands Wood-Fired Pizzeria and Bakery. Keynote speaker Amina Abu-Bakare of Isthmus Thunder Bay, an organization that provides food for hungry students during the weekends, and a panel of influential local women speakers, including Michelle Murdoch-Gibson of Rowan Tree Collective and Both Hands, will share their initiatives, perspectives, and insights on the importance of inspiring inclusivity in our city.

(L-R) Maelyn Hurley, Erin Sisko, Kathleen Sawdo, and Romy Marlo

The 2024 IWD #inspireinclusivity Business Showcase will be held on March 9 from 10 am to 4 pm at Goods & Co Market, highlighting a diverse group of women in business from across Thunder Bay. All profits from this two-day event will be donated to Isthmus to support marginalized children in need of food.

For more information, follow @goodscomarket on Facebook and Instagram.