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  • Ideas

    history: Second Wave Archives Project, if we don’t tell our own stories, they might not be told at all

    by Mary Breen | May 1, 2008

    Where are the stories, minutes, photos, briefs and buttons that tell the story of the women’s movement in Canada since 1960? The Second Wave Archives Project, launched in the fall of 2007 and sponsored by Nancy’s Very Own Foundation, began with this question. It quickly became clear that relatively few such records are on deposit in public archives, and those that exist aren’t particularly easy to find.  read more

  • People

    Earth Day: Vandana Shiva, physicist, environmental activist, feminist, ecologist and author

    by Frances Rooney | Apr 21, 2008

    According to Vandana Shiva, we are all connected, As a result, the rights of women and small farmers is central to her work for our earth. She points out that women are the main producers and processors of food. Farmers are the keepers of the diversity that makes both people and plants strong. “For me,” says Shiva, “ecology and feminism have been inseparable.” She combines women’s rights and nature’s rights, celebrating our cultural diversity and biological diversity. read more

  • Reviews

    Beautiful: Margaret Cho, biting comedy stands up on new tour

    by May Lui | Apr 16, 2008

    Race, gender, sexual orientation and politics. Oh, and dirty words. Lots of dirty words. Margaret Cho breaks down the stereotypes, takes down the phobes, and builds a case for specialty shuttle buses from gay bars at midnight. But does a change in audience mean that some of the material misfires? read more

  • Ideas

    education: sex, knowledge, and justice for youth

    by Jessica Yee | Mar 31, 2008

    When we talk about the ability to make healthy sexual “choices” we must also encompass ethnically and racially diverse voices and realize that the concept of “choice” falls short when placed against the backdrop of poverty, race, culture, and oppression. The lack of information and awareness in schools has everything to do with fundamental issues of empowerment and justice. We need to really listen to what our youth are saying in every part of the country about their sexual health. read more

  • News

    An Act to amend the Criminal Code: Bill C-484, private member’s bill passes second reading - so what’s next?

    by Jude MacDonald | Mar 11, 2008

    The Unborn Victims of Crime Act passed second reading last week. Now, a dozen Members of Parliament – one woman and 11 men – will consider the next steps for this proposed law. It is the perfect time for you to contact the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights with your thoughts about Bill C-484. read more

  • People

    dancer, choreographer, teacher, visionary: Celia Franca, 1921-2007

    by Frances Rooney | Mar 3, 2008

    A man would have been called hard headed, focused, larger than life, terrifying, adored. In an article written by Paul Gessell, Celia Franca was called “two words ... Both rhyme with rich.” Later, she was also called hard headed, focused, larger than life, terrifying, adored. Despite her look of delicate femininity, Celia Franca was tough. Because of her work, ballet and the all-important teaching of teachers of ballet have found a strong and vibrant place in Canadian culture.  read more

  • Reviews

    the education of Miss G__

    by Sarah Ghabrial | Feb 20, 2008

    Three years ago, a hopeful group of university students from Ontario thought they had an obviously great idea – introduce Women’s and Gender Studies in high school. The province greeted them with enthusiasm. Time passed. Nothing happened with the curriculum. So, for Valentine’s Day there was an organized action called No More Miss Nice G__! Here’s a recap of the cheeky groundswell to get women on course. Of course! read more

  • Ideas

    a day for Louis Riel

    by Marianne Cerilli | Feb 15, 2008

    On February 18, 2008, Manitoba will celebrate its first Louis Riel Day. While several other provinces take time off for Family Day, Manitoba will focus on one of the most controversial Canadian history-makers, who was hanged for treason on November 16, 1885. The spirit of Riel is alive, and is symbolized in both the selection of Louis Riel Day and what it represents for many Manitobans who still work for equality, inclusion and a strong political voice. read more

  • News

    peace: Afghan women and security

    by Jude MacDonald | Feb 6, 2008

    While there are a few historical references to women, gender, females and girls in the 90-page report by the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan, how the current situation affects them is not seriously explored. Neither is what Canada can do about it. As the political parties debate about our involvement, there is one unanswered question: How central an issue do we really consider the future of women there to be? read more

  • People

    Viola Desmond, unintentional revolutionary

    by Frances Rooney | Jan 29, 2008

    On November 8, 1946, a woman bought a ticket to a movie. She sat down in the theatre. She was told to move. She didn’t. The theatre manager went outside, found a police officer, and the two men roughly threw her out. Then she was arrested. Charged. Thrown in jail. Found guilty of an astonishing crime. Viola Desmond demanded justice. She did not receive it. This is how the segregation laws of Nova Scotia started to crumble. This is what too many of us don’t know. This is our history.  read more

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