International Women’s Day at Rio Rhythmics, Honouring Women in Dance and Life
International Women’s Day is this Sunday, 8 March.
I am Tarcisio, founder and director of Rio Rhythmics, teaching Latin dance, coaching, and helping people enhance their lives since 1989.
It’s a time to honour the achievements and contributions of women throughout history, across the globe, in every sector of life, technology, industry, literature, the arts, education, health, business, and yes, in our world of dance. And it’s also a moment to ask ourselves, quietly and honestly, what kind of world we are helping to build, with our choices, our language, and our leadership.
My work has always been about more than steps; it’s about culture, community, connection, and respect.
So many women had shaped my life, and many supported to shape Rio Rhythmics
Women have played an indispensable role in my life and career. If I tried to name every woman who helped build Rio Rhythmics, you would be reading this blog for a week.
But I want to pause and acknowledge the women who, right now, contribute to our studio and our community in different capacities: Alie, Amanda, Angel, Angela, Daniel, Elanore, Hannah, Juliana, Lua, Mariana, Mollie, Natasha, Rebekah, Sparshy, Yulia, and our powerful manager, Chantel. Independent, knowledgeable, resourceful, and strong leaders in their areas of expertise.
Every studio has a “front stage” that people can see: the classes, the parties, the smiles, the performances. And there is also the “backstage”, the planning, the care, the emotional intelligence, the steady work that holds a community together. Women often carry a lot of that invisible labour in the world, and in dance studios too. We must see it, value it, and honour it.
In my personal life, I think of my mother, who lived to be 102. She was my best teacher in the most human ways: resilience, wisdom, humour, and dignity. Not the kind you learn from books, the kind you learn from watching how someone lives. Also, she guided me on my first-ever dance steps, standing on her feet.
And I must also mention Jada, my wife. A powerful woman, a mother, a leader. For many years, she played a major role and still contributes to Rio Rhythmics, and now, alongside her daily family affairs, she runs a coaching business that supports women in moving towards their dreams.
Celebration is beautiful, but responsibility is essential
International Women’s Day is not only about flowers and compliments.
As teachers, managers, parents, and business owners, we must take the opportunity to raise awareness about the ongoing struggle for gender equality and advocate for the empowerment of women.
Equality is not a “nice idea”; it is a daily practice.
And I will say this directly, because avoiding direct language is one of the ways society keeps problems alive.
We, men, have a responsibility to speak up.
Not only when something dramatic happens, but in the small moments, the jokes, the comments, the intimidation, the dismissive tone, the unequal recognition, the behaviour that quietly forces some women to feel powerless.
Studio owners, especially, carry a serious responsibility. A dance studio is a place of touch, trust, and vulnerability. That means we must hold a higher standard, not tolerate abusive behaviour, not “close our eyes”, not minimise discomfort, and not protect reputation at the expense of safety.
It is essential to challenge gender discrimination in all aspects of life, in the workplace, at home, and in our communities. That includes the dance world. It includes who gets heard in meetings. Who gets opportunities. Who gets credit. Who gets protected. Who gets believed.
Dance can be a teacher of equality, if we let it
In Latin partner dance, we always refer to “leaders and followers, But at its best, it is not about control; it is about communication.
A good leader is not a boss; it is necessary to be a listener and a clear communicator
A good follower is not silent; it is expressive, responsive and inspiring.
And when it works, it becomes cooperation, mutual respect, shared timing, shared presence.
This is one of the reasons I still love teaching after all these years. Dance gives us a living practice of respect, consent, boundaries, empathy, and connection. It can remind us how powerful women are, not because they “handle everything”, but because they carry intelligence, creativity, and courage in their bodies, in their choices, and in their presence.
A simple invitation for today
So today, I want to say thank you to the women who lead, build, teach, care, create, protect, and inspire. At Rio Rhythmics, and far beyond it.
And I want to invite every man reading this to do something simple and real: listen more carefully, challenge your own blind spots, speak up when it’s uncomfortable, and create spaces where women feel safe, respected, and fully seen.
Because International Women’s Day is a reminder that a more just and inclusive world is not somebody else’s job.
It is ours.
Happy International Women’s Day.