Ms. Perla Díaz de Ealy's opening speech at 102 Women Leaders in Mexico Forum

Speech of Ms. Perla Díaz de Ealy, President of MAEPEC A.C . , during the 102 Women Leaders in Mexico Forum in Mexico City on March 15:

Dear friends;

Gentleman who accompany us:

Good Morning. This is a very special occasion, in which we meet again to commemorate International Women's Day .

I am overjoyed to have each and every one of you here, outstanding women in a wide array of professional areas united by the same objective: to recognize the presence and importance of women in every aspect of life.

Every single one of you here is an irrefutable proof of it: honorable and exemplary women who fight every day for equality and respect within the workplace and a society which despite having taken important steps, it has a lot to do in terms of women's rights .

We are women of change aware of the need to join forces to wage a joint battle for equality , non-discrimination , non-violence against our gender, and equal opportunities .

Therefore, this date serves a double purpose: First, to commemorate all those workers who in 1908 , through a peaceful strike in New York , lost their lives to defend their labor rights and second, to recognize all those women who have inherited an important place in different spheres of life at national and a global scale.

However, and despite great achievements of women like poet and scholar Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz , writer Rosario Castellanos , artist Frida Khalo , and insurgent Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez , among many others who have left their mark in history, there are places in the world where women continue to be relegated or even worse, ignored and mistreated.

Thus, today I call to renew our commitment by moving from celebrations to actions that recognize the importance of the role that women play in society.

Bear in mind that both women and men are builders of this country.

On this Women's Day, I would like to convey to all of you who, like me, harbor the dream of building a new society that unlocks the immense potential that we treasure in our spirit, the desire to promote gender sensitivity in each of your activities.

In order to lessen inequality and violence against women and to transform the current cry of "not one more" to "one more," one more that is protected, one more that is respected, one more that is valued, one more that is empowered, one more that is free.

The current situation in the world evidences that laws and regulations have not been enough to prevent violence. It is necessary that both men and women work together for a culture that banishes that macho vision while it promotes equity in every aspect. Then, we will achieve, in Mexico , what rightfully belongs to us.

Undoubtedly, Mother Teresa of Calcutta is the example of a woman of great strength and spiritual wealth, thus on an ending note, I would like to share one of the most beautiful messages that she left us:

“Always keep in mind that your skin will wrinkle and that your hair will go white and that your days will become years… But the most important thing never changes–your strength of will and your convictions don’t have an age limit.

Your spirit is like a feather duster to wipe away the cobwebs. After every arrival, there is a leaving. After every accomplishment, there is another challenge. While you are alive, feel and know that you are alive.

When you are feeling sorry for yourself about what you used to be able to do, do something new. Don’t live surrounded by the yellowed photos of yesterday.

Continue forward

, even though you feel abandoned by others. Don’t let rust take away the steel that is in you. Behave in a way that others respect you, not pity you. When, due to your years, you cannot run–trot. When you can no longer trot–walk. When you can no longer walk–grab a cane and keep on going. Never stop yourself .”

My gratitude and recognition for all the women who join us this day.

Thank you very much.

sg/bg