by Placida Nazareth for BIS Mumbai

International Women’s Day is an occasion to celebrate the progress made towards achieving gender equality and women empowerment. Keeping this thought in mind on March 7, 2025, St Joseph’s High School, Wadala, celebrated International Women’s Day in a heartwarming and memorable way. The event, an initiative by the Principal, Fr Solomon Raphol, was a fitting tribute to the female staff members who contribute to the school’s nurturing and vibrant community.

 A wonderful prayer service and program was organized by the masters of the school, under the guidance of Fr Solomon. The celebration began with a warm and heartfelt welcome to the female staff members in the school auditorium. Each woman was greeted with a beautiful rose, symbolizing respect, love, and admiration for their invaluable contributions to the school and society. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, appreciation, and a sense of unity.

 Fr Solomon Raphol, the principal, addressed the gathering with an inspiring and uplifting message for Women’s Day. His words reflected the importance of recognizing the strength and resilience of women and emphasized the need for gender equality and empowerment. To further inspire the staff, Fr. Solomon read out some beautiful quotes written by Mother Teresa: If your eyes are positive, you will love the world. But if your tongue is positive, the world will love you." A woman's love is in action. She looks with her heart and feels with her eyes. A woman is the bank where her family deposits anger, worries and hurt. A woman is the centre that keeps her family together and her love lasts a lifetime.  leaving the female staff members with immense pride in their hearts. The quotes touched upon themes of love, kindness, and the profound impact of women in nurturing and shaping lives. As a special gesture of appreciation, all the female staff members were presented with a thoughtful gift from the principal. This small yet meaningful gesture made the women feel truly valued and loved, reinforcing the sense of belonging and respect they receive at the school. The supervisor of the school, Teacher Prabha proposed the vote of thanks and thanked Fr Solomon on behalf of all the female staff for the wonderful celebration. 

The Women’s Day celebration was a heartwarming event that reflected the school’s commitment to honoring and empowering women. Through the prayer service, Fr Solomon’s inspiring words, and the heartfelt gestures of appreciation, the event left a lasting impression on all those present. It was a day that reminded everyone of the importance of recognizing the strength, dignity, and contributions of women in all walks of life.