Feminisms and Transformative Change
Women in politics. The role of non-profit organizations in turbulent times. Black and Indigenous leadership in activism.
Throughout fall 2018 and winter 2019, a speaker series entitled ‘Feminisms and Transformative Change’ invited feminist leaders to Ryerson to discuss these pressing issues and explore opportunities for change.
Peggy Nash, a distinguished visiting professor in the Faculty of Arts (FA) and Faculty of Community Services (FCS), convened the series, and both faculties co-sponsored the events.
“This series spoke to the impact of diverse feminisms with organizing in racialized, queer, and Indigenous movements, and in electoral politics and community agencies,” says Nash. “Those who have been the most marginalized are making the greatest change.”
How three political trailblazers are breaking new ground in provincial politics
From left: Peggy Nash, distinguished visiting professor, FA and FCS; Sara Singh, MPP, Brampton Centre riding; Bhutila Karpoche, MPP, Parkdale-High Park riding; Jill Andrew, MPP Toronto, St. Paul’s riding; Jennifer Wells, Star Business Columnist. Photo: Clifton Li
The 2018 Ontario election saw a historic rise in the number of women elected to political office. Nearly 40 per cent of women hold ridings in Ontario, the highest of any provincial legislature in Canada. On October 29, 2018, three newly elected MPPs in the New Democratic Party of Ontario shared stories of why they chose to enter politics, the campaign strategies they used to win their riding and what it is like to be a new member of provincial parliament.
Non-profit leadership in turbulent times
From left: Peggy Nash, distinguished visiting professor, FA and FCS; Debbie Douglas, executive director, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants; Notisha Massaquoi, executive director, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre; Lisa Barnoff, dean, FCS; Paulette Senior, CEO and president, Canadian Women’s Foundation; Ausma Malik, trustee, Toronto District School Board Ward 10 Photo: Clifton Li
Non-profits often walk a fine line in serving their communities with dwindling resources. On November 14, 2018, a panel of non-profit executives assessed the challenging times we are in, particularly for non-profits and the communities they serve, and posed ideas for maintaining services and organizing for change.
Liberating the voices of the unheard: Black and Indigenous peoples at the forefront of activism
From left: Lynn Lavallée, FCS strategic lead, Indigenous resurgence; Phyllis McKenna, vice-president of equity and campaigns, CESAR and co-founder and current member, Indigenous Students Rising; Peggy Nash, distinguished visiting professor, FA and FCS; Lisa Barnoff, dean, FCS; Pascale Diverlus, communications specialist, educator and activist. Not pictured: Olson Crow, executive of student affairs, Ryerson Indigenous Students' Association and national 2S and transgender constituency rep, Canadian Federation of Students. Photo: Michael Pereira
Black and Indigenous peoples have been at the forefront of activism for many years, but their voices are often the ones left out of the conversation when it comes to feminism. Transformational feminisms mean dismantling the current context of feminism and opening it up to more inclusive voices that do not conform to the gender norm. On March 21, 2019, a panel of Black and Indigenous activist leaders explored how diverse feminisms are transforming the struggles of today.
