Despite the cold weather, a large crowd gathered at Stuart Park in downtown Kelowna to celebrate International Women's Day.

Mayor Colin Basran gave his declaration, and even cracked a joke at the "strongest woman in attendance, mother nature."

Photo Credit: KelownaNowMayor Colin Basran.

The event was a collaboration of various organizations serving women in the Okanagan, including Mammas for Mammas, Her International, and Westbank First Nation, to name a few.

Here's a look at some of the key speakers from today's events.

Chief Roxanne Lindley of WFN kicked things off by leading the crowd in a women's warrior song, backed up by her ensemble of men drummers.  

Chief Lindley is the first woman to become chief of WFN and was appointed in 2016. She thanked all the women in her life and shared the importance of women in the Syilx nation.

Photo Credit: KelownaNowChief Roxanne Lindley of Westbank First Nation opened the event with the Women Warrior's song.

Co-executive director, of Her International, Tamara McClellan helped organize the event and shared how much the day means to her.

"I'm a woman whose dream was always to work in international development and here I am, running an international development organization," she said.

She recounted how in different jobs she'd been "scoffed in boardrooms" for her age, hair colour, and gender many times.

Today, she said she wanted to say "goodbye to barriers and boundaries" and commemorate and celebrate various styles of leadership, including "feminine, nurturing, softer leadership."

Photo Credit: KelownaNowDespite the cold, a large crowd gathered at Stuart Park in Kelowna to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2018.

Those in attendance were encouraged to "look to your industries, look to the people you admire and ask how we can work together," said McClellan.

A group of students from Arrowleaf also attended the event, along with men and women of all ages.

Photo Credit: KelownaNowA group of Arrowleaf students walked over to take in the celebrations.

For more information on the history of International Women's Day, go here.