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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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The importance of women’s health care
Reproductive and sexual health care resources for women in Ontario. Courtesy of reproductive health supplies coalition Access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care is fundamental in promoting women’s well-being and general autonomy as people. In Ontario, a wide array of services and resources are available to support women with their sexual and reproductive health needs. Contraception and family planning Family planning services are necessary for women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Ontario offers various resources, including clinics and sexual health centres, where women can access contraceptive counselling, education and prescriptions for birth control methods. These services aim to support women in choosing the contraceptive method that…
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You don’t have to go through it alone
Resources in Ontario to support single mothers. Courtesy of any lane It’s safe to say that the majority of women probably do not choose to become single mothers but rather, it is something that they have to suddenly face head-on. Parenting children within a partnership is hard enough, but doing it solo can be an entirely new world. According to Statistics Canada in 2016, 81.3 per cent of children in a single-parent household were living with their mothers whereas only 18.7 per cent of children were living with their fathers. Below are some resources meant to support and aid women in their journey of single motherhood. You don’t have to…
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It’s for the girls
Events BY women FOR women in the GTA Courtesy of Vantha Thang Living in a big city can sometimes be very intimidating, especially as a woman. These come with challenges like meeting new people in a safe way, making friends and finding new hobbies. In the Greater Toronto Area, there are so many events that happen daily but they can be scary as you’re surrounded by so many new people. Have you ever wanted to participate in events happening but are more comfortable with something that’s run by women and meant for women? Below are some events run virtually and in person by women who want to help other women.…
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It’s OK to pivot your career path – and here’s how to do it.
It’s not too late to learn how to pivot your career path! “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a common question children are asked from a young age. You might get answers anywhere from a dinosaur to an astronaut, but many have no clue. For some, a career path is laid out for them. For others, the question is scary: how are you supposed to know from a young age what you want to do until retirement? My answers varied depending on my age. When I was young, I used to say ‘a ballerina’. How blissful would it be to spin around on stage in…
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Bridging the health gap
How gender bias effects women in the Canadian medical system Gender bias is the preference for one gender over the other. According to a 2020 global report by the United Nations, nearly 90 per cent of all people have some bias against women. For centuries, implicit and explicit gender bias has affected many industries and sectors, including health care. Unfortunately, gender bias in health care presents a dangerous threat to the well-being, safety and lives of women and must be acknowledged. Sexism in health care can manifest in many ways including gaslighting concerned female patients, misdiagnosing them or dismissing them entirely and failing to include women in medical studies. Women…
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Camp Cucumber: With Jennifer Werry
Disadvantaged mothers and their children find refuge at camp **This interview has been edited for length and clarity Jennifer Werry is a director and chair for Camp Cucumber, a registered non-profit charity staffed entirely by volunteers and funded by private and corporate donations. Camp Cucumber is a place for struggling mothers to rest, relax and find peace in Northern Ontario in the last week of June. While attending the camp, they are encouraged to embrace change, meet new friends, challenge themselves and share special moments with their kids. Werry’s involvement with Camp Cucumber is one facet of her long-term commitment to philanthropic endeavours, including chairing fundraising events and developing educational…
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Understanding and accessing the law
Four organizations providing law resources for women For women, finding legal resources that can cater to their specific needs is crucial. According to the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund, women face poverty and pay inequality at much higher rates than men, making engaging with the legal system financially challenging, especially for single, low-income women. Even when women can afford legal assistance, the matters they face are typically unique to their gender. Given that women face higher rates of violent victimization compared to men, their legal issues might include domestic abuse, sexual assault, restraining orders, winning custody, etc. It can be difficult for women affected by these kinds of issues…
