Community Came Together at Fairmount Park to Mark International Women's Day

The Human Migration Institute (HMI) hosted a community celebration for International Women's Day at Fairmount Park on Sunday, March 8. Bringing together residents from various parts of Riverside, the event provided opportunities for creativity, connection, and cultural exchange. From bouquet making and henna to embroidery and open mic, these activities gave women a chance to demonstrate their skills in a shared and collective environment.

A tradition for the past several years, HMI hosts an annual celebration for International Women's Day in order to create a welcoming environment where voices are heard and safety is ensured. In a broader sense, the organization works with legal immigrants who have fled violence in places like Afghanistan and Ukraine, while helping them rebuild their lives in Riverside.

"We've hosted a Women's Day event for the past few years, and we find it's a great way to bring community members together from all around the world who are now living here in Riverside and building a life for themselves," Allison Severns, RCRF Coordinator & Secretary, said. "Many of the people we work with have fled violence in places like Afghanistan and Ukraine, so we want them to feel welcome here and have a sense of safety and belonging. Events like this help create a space where their voices are heard and valued as they begin new journeys in their lives."

Throughout the event, children played competitive soccer on the nearby fields, with balls flying in every direction. Meanwhile, families gathered around picnic benches making arts and crafts, trying embroidery, and occasionally stepping up to the open mic. Activities such as embroidery nod towards the strong tradition of sewing and craftwork among many Afghan women. Additionally, the open mic provides women who might not usually have the opportunity to speak publicly with a safe and supportive space to share their voices.

"I really like seeing everyone together celebrating and enjoying the event," participant Nasreen Shirzad said. "It's wonderful to meet people again after a long time."

The event ties directly to the deeper meaning behind not just International Women's Day, but Women's History Month as a whole. Historically, women have often been underrepresented and marginalized in many parts of the world, and in some places that remains true today. Events like these serve as recognition of the contributions that women have made to society, as well as the importance of continuing to uplift their voices. With so many inspirational women locally in Riverside, honoring their work and leadership becomes even more meaningful.

"Riverside has so many amazing female leaders," Severns said. "This day is really important to us because we want to honor the strength of the women we serve, many of whom come from places like Afghanistan and Ukraine. They have so much resilience and power, and we want them to know we're here to support them."

For some women, the event resonates on a personal level.

"To me, this event – and Women's History Month in general – means recognizing that women are very hardworking and creative," Shirzad said.

Currently, the International Women's Day event hosted by HMI has established itself as an annual tradition. In future years, the organization hopes to expand the celebration even further throughout the Riverside community. By strengthening connections and forging new ones, HMI continued to commemorate and recognize the contributions that women have made to society. Furthermore, it serves their broader mission of making Riverside a more inclusive community for immigrants and longtime residents alike.

The celebration came as Women's History Month draws to a close, a fitting reminder of the work still being done to honor women's contributions locally and globally.

"It's not every day that you get an opportunity to meet someone new in a welcoming place like this," Severns said. "We're here to create that environment for the community. Riverside is strong because of its diversity, and we hope people will come out, join us, and be part of that."

By Erik Chen