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Three female politicians making a difference in Ontario
The women pushing significant and positive change for the province and its citizens. It wasn’t until the 1900s that women became involved — marginally — in this realm. In fact, it took until 1921 for the first woman to be elected into the House of Commons in Canada. As a result, female involvement in politics remained limited and/or discounted for a long time, ensuring that, until very recently, women who wanted to be leaders of change in their communities could not do so. Today, women can vote, join political parties and even be elected into office. In June 2022, 47 women and non-binary people were elected to the Ontario legislature,…
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On-screen female relationships: The good, the bad and the ugly
A look at positive female friendships in the media and why they matter. Media can have an incredible influence, especially on young, impressionable minds. TV shows and movies teach young people what to wear, how to flirt, how to be funny and how to be in relationships of all kinds. The influence that TV and movies have on this susceptible demographic is remarkable, but potentially harmful. Consider, for example, the types of platonic female relationships we’ve seen on screen in the recent past and the fact that young girls subconsciously absorb the dynamics that are normalized in the media. In the media, female friendships have long been depicted as shallow,…
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Femtech: Technology for women’s health matters
How the Canadian technology industry is providing resources for women’s health and the companies involved. Femtech is a general term that encompasses all technology that supports women’s health. This includes products, diagnostics and software. These technologies primarily focus on health issues that specifically affect women, non-binary and trans people. This website lists all the companies specializing in Femtech, related resources and a portal where any companies wanting to enter the industry can apply for aid. The site also boasts one-on-one sessions, a Slack community and events for individuals to come together and discuss the future of Femtech. Rachel Bartholomew, the founder of Hyivy (a company focused on promoting women’s pelvic…
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Five tips from successful women to succeed in the workplace
Learn from the best how to have an accomplished career It isn’t the 1950s anymore. In 2019, women made up 61 per cent of Canada’s workforce (a 25 per cent increase from 1976), meaning women make up the lion’s share of Canada’s employed. However, even with the majority title, a meager four per cent of Canada’s largest publicly traded companies have a woman CEO. Evidently, it is more difficult for women to move into leadership positions in their careers than it is for men, hindering their potential and diminishing their hard work. As men often have more access to resources such as mentors and are frequently favoured over women because…
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Need help kickstarting your business?
Here are five financial programs for aspiring female entrepreneurs in Canada Starting a business can be expensive and daunting. Few people have the funds to build a business from the ground up — a struggle in and of itself. For women entrepreneurs, competing in the male-dominated world of business and finances can result in added stress and difficulty. Fortunately, the Government of Canada and various other enterprises have created initiatives that provide business loans, grants and other resources specifically for female entrepreneurs. Check out these five financial programs for support when building a new business. The Scotiabank Women Initiative Scotiabank launched the Women’s Initiative in 2018 to support women and…
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Books by, for and about women
Writers drawing attention to real-life women’s issues through works of fiction Novels are incredible tools for self-discovery, education and social commentary. Often bringing important social and political issues to light, through both fictional and non-fictional formats, books can provide both an escape from and a confrontation with the state of our world. In 2022, several women authors from Ontario are using their literary voices to examine, criticize and bring attention to a myriad of women’s issues. These authors cover topics such as abortion, race, sexuality and gender. Heather Marshall, Farah Heron and Danielle Daniel are a notable few among the many Ontarian authors whose books deserve a spot on your…
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The Give and Grow: Where sports and nature collide
The Toronto-based small business combining gardening, basketballs and community outreach. During the bleak days of the early pandemic, many looking for escape or distraction found solace in starting new hobbies, FaceTiming loved ones or starting a new project. One of those pandemic projects became The Give and Grow. The Toronto-based company was founded by Olivia Ho, a healthcare worker with a love for everything basketball-related. Ho also coaches youth as a Sport Program Lead at MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment) LaunchPad. The Give and Grow puts an athletic spin on interior decoration. Ho dreamed of combining her passion for basketball and love of nature into a single product, and…
