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Women’s art collections and initiatives in Ontario
Women artists have been historically under-represented in galleries and collections across Canada. Emily Carr is the most well-known woman painter in Canadian art history. But she is by no means the only woman artist to have made an impact in the creative community. These collections and initiatives strive to provide opportunities for women artists in Canada and shed light on their work. Women’s Art Association of Canada In 1887, a group of women in Toronto came together to form what was then called the Women’s Art Club. They painted and drew together in their studio in the Yonge Street Arcade. The club’s original annual fee was $2. Several years later,…
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Women-owned independent bookstores in Ontario
For more than 40 years, the Toronto Women’s Bookstore was a leader in feminist literature in Canada From 1972 to 2012, the Toronto Women’s Bookstore survived three moves and a fire that destroyed some of their inventory. Ultimately, the store faced financial issues in 2012 from which they could not recover. Then came a final statement on the store website. “The fact is book markets have changed radically in the past few years,” said owner Victoria Moreno. “E-books, fierce online competition and a stagnant economy have all contributed to our business model becoming no longer sustainable. I’m closing the bookstore with the bittersweet knowledge that I did my best. I…
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Indigenous women’s shelters and community resources
Indigenous women’s shelters provide more than just physical shelter — they offer culturally-specific counselling and resources. These shelters are Indigenous-led, with trauma-informed counsellors, Elders, and traditional healing practices. There are 14 Indigenous-specific shelters in Ontario for people fleeing abusive situations. More than 1,550 women and children stayed in these shelters in 2018. There are also 92 general women’s shelters in Ontario for survivors of abuse. More than 14,975 women and children were admitted in these shelters, also in 2018. This list includes some of the Indigenous women’s shelters in Ontario. There is also information on how to support these shelters for those who are able to donate. Atlohsa London, Ont.…
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Free online courses to expand your breadth of knowledge
Post-secondary institutions have a lot of barriers, such as financial limitations or scheduling conflicts. Women continue to make up the majority of university enrollment, yet employment and parenthood can prevent further education. The cost and intense schedule of university is not realistic for everyone. No matter your level of formal education, there are courses available to you outside of the traditional university setting. Here are several online courses available in Ontario. You can complete them at your own pace, in your own time, and they are all free of charge. Gale Courses You can take Gale courses with a library card from any Ontario library. Anyone who lives, works or…
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Webcam hacking and cybersecurity tips for women
Understanding hacking is like learning a new language. More than 57 per cent of Canadians reported experiencing at least one cybersecurity incident in 2018. The majority of these incidents involved fraudulent emails or being redirected to a third-party website that asked for personal information. Hackers are getting more resourceful as the average person gets more tech-savvy. Helen Oakley is the co-founder of Leading Cyber Ladies and an advisory board member for Canadian Women in Cybersecurity. She hosts educational sessions through her work to mentor women in cybersecurity. She said one of the most common webcam hacking methods is to find an unprotected webcam connected to a network. Hackers accomplish this…
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Dress for Success: Advice for women re-entering the job market
There has been unprecedented employment loss across Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Statistics Canada, the country has lost 858,000 jobs since March 2020. The highest decline was in Ontario and Quebec and concentrated among women aged 25-54. Many of these jobs were in retail and service industries, which closures hit the hardest due to public health restrictions. Women have also left their jobs for caretaking roles for sick relatives, providing childcare and helping with online schooling. Now that vaccination rates are increasing and infections are decreasing, women across Canada are re-entering the workforce. While the job search may seem intimidating, there are resources to help. Women Quest…
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Fairy tales, the writing life, and disability representation: An interview with Amanda Leduc
Amanda Leduc is the author of The Miracles of Ordinary Men (2013), Disfigured (2020) and The Centaur’s Wife (2021). She has cerebral palsy and lives in Hamilton, Ont. She works as the communications coordinator for the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD). FOLD is Canada’s first festival for diverse authors and stories. COURTNEY WZ: Disfigured talks about fairy tales and their impact on storytelling. What do you think makes fairy tales so timeless and universal? AMANDA LEDUC: There’s something very familiar about fairy tales. We’ve all been exposed to them for so long, especially in Western culture. For me, fairy tales fall into two camps. There’s the story with trials and…
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Living with endometriosis: Meet the illness no one is talking about
When Cassandra Earle was 13, she woke up with excruciating pain in her abdomen that left her unable to move. When this started happening every month, Earle went to see a general practitioner to get help. However, her doctor said she was “just having bad periods,” she recalled. Earle missed out on many school and social events as a teenager. She struggled to explain to her friends what she was going through. After years of misdiagnoses and frustration with the medical system, Earle received laparoscopic surgery. At age 17, she finally got an official diagnosis of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue — similar to the tissue inside the…
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Staying safe while online dating
Safety should be your first priority when it comes to online dating. This applies whether you’re looking for a long-term relationship or something more casual. Maybe you’ve tried apps like Tinder, Bumble or Hinge, or websites like OkCupid, Plenty of Fish or Match. There are steps you can take from the beginning to protect your safety while also being open and honest. Nicole Haley is a dating and love coach who helps women across Canada and the world find their ideal partner. She started Nicole Talks Love 15 years ago in order to help clients find fulfilling relationships. “People are trying to figure out where to find love,” Haley said.…
