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“I have broken the editorial ice.”
This famous quote was spoken by Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first Canadian African female newspaper editor. Shad was the founder of the anti-slavery newspaper Provincial Freeman, founded in Windsor in 1853. Recently, she was acknowledged with a stamp celebrating her legacy. Learn more.
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LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
Happy Black History Month!
February is a lively time of advocacy and celebrations! This month we celebrate and commemorate Black History Month, Non-Profit Appreciation Week, Sexual Heath Week, Family Day and more.
To honour Black History Month, our Anti-Black Racism Committee (ABRC) hosted an incredible event entitled Black Love, where staff from across the association came together to learn and explore what “Black love” can mean, particularly around Black excellence and Black futures. The event also reflected on the themes of the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) – recognition, justice and development. There are more fantastic association wide events to come this month, and stay tuned for a special Black History Month blog post being published next week!
At YWCA Toronto, we know that any progress made towards gender equity would not have been possible without the work of Black women, girls and gender diverse people.
As we work towards a future of gender and racial equity – which cannot be achieved without the voices, lived experiences and work of Black women, girls and gender diverse people – we must also acknowledge the past and continue to honour the Black History that has led to progress in gender equity. And, as was shared from our ABRC, we must also celebrate Black love, Black joy, Black success and Black power.
Our advocacy work is rooted in racial and gender justice – this is critical in our collective efforts to create a more equitable future. It is everyone’s responsibility to work together to eliminate systemic discrimination and oppression and our advocacy work will continue to be a part of that effort.
Sami Pritchard
Interim Director of Advocacy and Communications
YWCA Toronto
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Supporting Women, Girls, and Gender Diverse People in Budget 2024
Municipally and provincially, we have been calling for equitable, gender-responsive budgets.
On February 1st, Sami Pritchard, Interim Director of Advocacy and Communications, presented to Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (SCOFEA) to share our priorities for the 2024 Budget. Sami spoke about the critical state of the nonprofit sector, the need for girls’ programming funding, and the steps needed to end gender-based violence in the province. Our presentation was informed by our YWCA Ontario pre-budget submission to Ontario’s Minister of Finance.
Read the SCOFEA presentation here and find our content about the budgets on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and X (Twitter).
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Photo | Event image by @magiclanterns | |
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Providing Art Education for Over 30 Years
On March 21st, YWCA Toronto’s Inspirations Studio will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a fundraiser and art auction at OCAD University. The event, entitled “Set the Table”, hosted by Carolyn Taylor of the Baroness Von Sketch show, will feature the work of celebrated contemporary artists, Toronto Potters, OCADU Students and Studio members. Proceeds will support women and gender diverse individuals in the Inspirations Studio program.
Tickets include food and drinks, DIY pottery painting, wheel demos, raffles, beautiful art, music and more!
Purchase your tickets today!
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Join the YWCA Movement
Become a member of YWCA Toronto in 2024.
Membership is so much more than the $20 membership fee – it is about being a part of a worldwide feminist movement, sharing your voice, and supporting women, girls and gender diverse people.
Together, we can create lasting change in our community.
Contact Nalini Singh at NSingh@ywcatoronto.org or 416.961.8101 x360 to become a member today.
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Photo | Courtesy of the National Association of Women and the Law | |
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YWCA Toronto joins call to Ban Parental Alienation Accusations
Alongside 250+ feminist organizations, YWCA Toronto signed onto a letter urging the federal government to act to address the use of parental alienation accusations against survivors of domestic violence. Through the National Association of Women and the Law, we invite you to add your voice to the cause and send a letter here!
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Photo | Courtesy of International Women's Day Toronto | |
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Join us! Toronto Women’s March 2024
In recognition of International Women’s Day, YWCA Toronto extends the invite to Toronto’s Women’s March! Join us on Saturday, March 2nd at the OISE Auditorium (252 Bloor St. W) at 11 a.m. where we will start the day with a rally ahead of the march commencing at 1 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
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How Asexuality Redefines Love
On Valentine’s Day, we published a blog by Caroline, an external writer who is passionate about human rights. She shares her experience of discovering her sexuality, exploring asexuality and learning that romantic love is not the only definition of love.
Read the full blog post here.
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Sharing Circle on the Wellness of Workers
On Thursday, February 29th, join the Ontario Nonprofit Network and The Well for a sharing circle exclusively for Black, Indigenous and/or racialized workers in the nonprofit sector in Ontario. The event will focus on wellness for workers and feature facilitators sharing the challenges and wins of advancing the understanding of wellness, expanding programs to be more culturally aligned, and how they set the tone for wellness at their respective organizations. Attendees of the event are also encouraged to join the conversation by sharing, asking questions, or by simply listening.
Learn more and register here.
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
YWCA Toronto operates on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We are grateful to work on this territory as we strive to build a more equitable and just city for women, girls, and gender diverse people. For a full land acknowledgment, please visit our website.
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