When I was nine, I already knew how to soothe my younger brother when he cried and how to read the room when the adults went quiet. I knew how to steady my voice with a smile so others wouldn’t worry. I didn’t have the language for it then, but I understood how to step into the spaces where care was needed.   I knew when to stay quiet, when to speak gently and when to take charge, even when I was the youngest person in the room. I learned to anticipate needs before they were spoken and to carry emotions that weren’t mine just to keep the peace. Looking back…

For years I believed speaking up made me difficult. Whether it was telling someone I couldn’t take on another responsibility or letting a friend know that a joke hurt my feelings, I would rehearse what to say for hours and then say nothing at all. I didn’t want to be rude or cause a scene, and I didn’t want to be called “too sensitive.”  Photo courtesy: Freepik (photo by storyset)  I know I’m not alone in this. Many people, especially women, struggle with assertiveness. Be too quiet and you’re ignored. Be too direct and you’re judged for speaking up.  Assertive communication is expressing your needs, opinions or boundaries clearly and…

When we think of activism, we often picture loud protests, viral hashtags or headline‑grabbing rallies. But what if powerful change doesn’t always have to happen in the streets or across social media? What if strength also lives in quiet, behind‑the‑scenes moments – in listening, nurturing and building the trust needed for deep, lasting transformation?  Photo courtesy: Pexels (photo by Joshua Santos)  Throughout Ontario, a quieter form of activism is reshaping communities, creating spaces where compassion, accountability and belonging carry as much weight as any protest sign. This quieter activism doesn’t always seek to dominate or confront. Instead, it creates space for dialogue, mutual support and healing. And its impact can…