Lifestyle & Family
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I was the Parent Before I even Grew Up: The Quiet Strength of Parentified Daughters
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…
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Midlife Doesn’t Have to Lead to a Crisis
We’ve all seen the stereotypical depictions men experiencing a midlife crisis on television or in movies. Maybe they buy a new car, pursues a younger woman or even get a wild tattoo. However, women are just as likely to experience a midlife crisis as men, it just presents itself differently. For women it usually can occur when they are typically entering perimenopause, resulting in hormonal shifts that can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. On top of that, they are experiencing the same emotional midlife thoughts as men, including the weight of past mistakes and feeling like they are losing their purpose in life. So, while there…
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Not Rude, Not Passive: The Everyday Power of Assertive Communication
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…
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Redefining Strength through Social Change
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…
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Wen-Do: women’s self-defence
Meet the Toronto-based self-defence organization empowering women to protect themselves. Gender-based violence is a prevalent issue in Canada. In 2009, the Canadian government estimated the total economic impact of spousal violence to be $7.4 billion, with 54 per cent of victims being female. A report from the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability states that “184 women and girls were violently killed, primarily by men” in 2022. According to Canadian law, citizens are free to safeguard themselves, provided that their actions are proportional to circumstance. On that account, women may learn self-defence techniques to protect themselves against violence and other crimes. What is Wen-Do? Wen-Do is the longest-running women’s…
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A look at Lilly Singh’s rise to fame
How this Ontarian went from making YouTube videos to becoming part of mainstream media. After amassing millions of fans online as a YouTube creator, Lilly Singh has made a name for herself in mainstream media. Born and raised in Scarborough, Ont. to Indian parents, Singh eventually moved to Markham with her family at 16. Now a successful TV host, author, actess and advocate, Singh’s rise to fame began with her making videos on YouTube. Her YouTube channel Singh started her YouTube channel in 2010 with a now-deleted video. She began taking YouTube seriously when she visited the home of Allen Buckle, a popular YouTuber known as FLuffeeTalks. Buckle told Singh…
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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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Canadian women who broke barriers in politics
These four women paved the way for women in the political landscape. The representation of women within Canadian politics reached a milestone just over 100 years ago. It was Dec. 6, 1921, when Agnes Campbell Macphail became the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons and the first woman parliamentarian in the Parliament of Canada as an MP. Macpahil’s monumental win was not the only milestone moment for women that year. Held on Sept. 20, 1921, the 44th federal election was the first election where women had the right to vote. Throughout her political career, Macphail represented farmers in the southeastern area of her hometown of Grey…
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Girl power: a feminist timeline of success
A look at women from past to present who made waves for feminism in Canada. “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” — Maya Angelou The road to success is long, twisted and arduous, especially for marginalized groups. For centuries, women have been on the receiving end of oppression, hate, abuse and dehumanization. However, there have been influential female icons who not only fought for their own goals but for other women as well, and their hardships and succession should not go unnoticed. In chronological order, here are Canadian women who have paved the way for…
