Education
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Canada’s female governor generals
A look at the five women who have held one of the highest positions in Canadian government. The title of governor general, also known as viceroy or vicereine for women, refers to the Canadian representative of the English monarchy. The English monarch chose a representative for themselves in Canada up until 1931. After 1931, the Canadian Prime Minister began recommending a list of names for the position. It wasn’t until 1952, when Vincent Massey became governor general, that the position was ever filled by someone born in Canada. Since then, every governor general has been Canadian. They come from various backgrounds, like education, journalism and law. After the first female…
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All about Women’s History Month
A look at how the historical month came to be and why it’s so important. In 1992, the Canadian Government officially designated October as Women’s History Month, which began an annual celebration of women and girls for over 30 years. Women’s History Month was created not only to remember the achievements of women throughout Canadian history but also to emphasize the importance of recognizing achievements and contributions from different backgrounds. We focus on unique perspectives, experiences and challenges faced by women from all walks of life to see how we can shape a better future for women and girls. History Women’s History Month started in America, as a local celebration…
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Making moves: Five Ontario women you should keep an eye out on
From business to science and technology, explore how these women are making an impact. Ontario is home to a remarkable array of women who are making significant contributions across various fields. From technology and business to social justice and the arts, these women are driving change and inspiring others. Here, we spotlight five Ontario women whose work is making a profound impact on society. 1. Melissa Sariffodeen Founder and CEO, Canada Learning Code Melissa Sariffodeen is a trailblazer in the tech education sector. As the founder and CEO of Canada Learning Code, she is dedicated to empowering Canadians, especially women and youth, with digital skills. Through her leadership, Canada Learning…
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Eight non-fiction books that highlight women and their strengths
Real stories about women, written by women. Courtesy of rdne stock project Danielle McNally, has been the full-time events coordinator at her father’s iconic Toronto bookstore Ben McNally’s since it opened in 2007 and recommends these newish female-centric titles. They range in genres from historic to political, to personal and anthological: 1. Overture of Hope by Isabel Vincent In Overture of Hope, Canadian investigative journalist Isabel Vincent, chronicles the lives of two unassuming British sisters, Louise and Ida Cook, who used their fanatical obsession with all things opera as a cover to rescue 29 Jewish people from Hitler’s holocaust wrath. 2. Unearthing by Kyo Maclear From essayist and novelist Kyo…
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From leaves to blessings
Aside from being an eternal topical balm for various conditions ranging from fingernail fungus to discomfort in diabetic feet, to UV-damaged hair and lice, henna and its benefits transcend practical function. In one particular example, henna application now exists as a meaningful Indian tradition to celebrate marriage and beautify women. Courtesy of quzi ikram haq Across several cultures in South Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East, henna, or mehndi in Hindi, has been applied to the body for over 5,000 years, according to St. Thomas University (STU). For their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, henna leaves have since been “used for medicinal purposes and applied to the skin to treat…
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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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The Sullivan decision: A misinformation catastrophe
Find out why you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet In May 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada issued their decision on R. v. Sullivan. As inflammatory headlines hit the newsreels, the court was met with an uproar of backlash from women’s rights groups and feminist advocates. Anger, fear and resentment proliferated as misinformation on the decision spread like wildfire across all social media outlets. So, what was the Sullivan decision? R. v. Sullivan refers to two separate cases, R. v. Sullivan and R. v. Chan. They both required the court to decide whether voluntary intoxication could be used as a defence for criminal acts in Canadian courts.…
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Girls interrupted
Enhancing communication skills and addressing being interrupted Communication is a fundamental skill to have in the workplace. In fact, a 2022 CNBC article states that communication is the number one soft skill desired by employers with over 6.1 million jobs listing the skill. An essential ability of a good communicator, and a woman, is knowing how to address interruptions in academic and professional contexts. Constant interruptions can be a disheartening experience for many women. It may even impact their presentation abilities and discourage some from contributing to discussions. Below are tips to enhance your presentation and discussion skills and the best ways to address interruptions. Presentations You will likely have…
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Eight Ontario Scholarships Available for Women
A look at scholarships female students can apply for Many scholarships offered in Ontario often go unused because students do not apply for them. Some of these scholarships are specifically curated to empower and encourage women to apply to their dream schools. From sports to engineering, here are eight scholarships available for women studying in Ontario. Hydro One Women in Engineering This Hydro One scholarship is offered to women seeking education and wishing to pursue a career in engineering. In addition to a cash award of C$5,000, recipients of the scholarship are also awarded a paid 12 to 16-month developmental position with the company. 10 scholarships are distributed to women…
