I attended the 2017 Women’s March last year. I was excited to attend and sent a text to my friends inviting them to come along. My group of friends is close-knit and generally supportive. We do not miss birthdays and the whole group attends whenever one of our bands plays a show. When I invited […]
[The following text is adapted from a speech at YWCA Toronto’s December 6 Vigil on the National Day of Action on Violence Against Women, 2017] When Dela asked if I would share a few words, it did not take much convincing for me to say ‘absolutely’. However, the truth is, I have been struggling to […]
It was a day for the YWCA history books. In November, 120 YWCA leaders from coast-to-coast-to-coast participated in the movement’s first-ever advocacy day on Parliament Hill. In meetings with Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and Senators, we called for a gender lens on the National Housing Strategy that includes a minimum of 25% of funds […]
Meet Kulsoom and Renolla. They are bright, dedicated and ready to take on the world. Kulsoom is currently studying Human Biology at the University of Toronto – Scarborough and was a YWCA Toronto Girls’ Centre participant for 11 years. She was co-chair of the Girls’ Council and is now an alumna of the Centre. This […]
Chances are you know someone working part-time, from contract to contract, or in a low-wage job — and research shows that person is most likely a woman. Across Canada, women account for 70 per cent of part-time employees and 60 per cent of minimum-wage earners. There is a lot at stake for women — and gender […]
It has been a banner year for YWCA Toronto CEO Heather McGregor. In June, she received an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from Ryerson University in recognition of her over 20 years of leadership at YWCA Toronto. Heather’s skill in growing and expanding YWCA programs has improved the lives of women and girls all across our city. […]
Join us in celebrating the achievements and strength of Indigenous women who have received YWCA Toronto’s Women of Distinction Award. This annual award is given to leaders for their unwavering dedication to improving the lives of women and girls in Toronto and around the globe. June 21 is National Aboriginal Day in Canada. Each year, […]
April 11 is Equal Pay Day in Ontario. As women and allies stand together to demand economic justice, it is important to know the statistics: Indigenous women face a gender pay gap of 57 percent. For women with disabilities, the gap is 46 percent; for immigrant women, 39 percent; for racialized women, 32 percent. Women’s […]
As Toronto welcomes refugees, YWCA Toronto helps newcomer women make a strong start. We interviewed Beverly Justin, Coordinator of our Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program, to gain insights into the program’s impact and the work that remains to support refugee resettlement, and build welcoming communities. What makes you passionate about your role […]
As a queer, Caribbean-Canadian, Black woman, every day my personal is political. I advocate for understanding as an ally and for different perspectives to be shared. I speak up when I see injustice. And I march. I invite you to march with me as part of YWCA Toronto’s delegation at the International Women’s Day march […]
