International Women’s Week Explores “Solidarity and Allyship” March 6-11, 2023

For many years, political organizing and social justice work focused on raising awareness and ensuring the word got out about any given cause. However, with the emergence of social media, the dissemination of information has become easier and it’s much harder for us to claim that we don’t know. But, once we do know, what then? What can we do? How can we act as individuals and as a society to contribute to making our schools and our workplaces more equitable and safe places?

This year, from March 6-10, International Women’s Week at Vanier College will tackle the question of solidarity and allyship. What is it? How can we offer it? How can we commit to a practice of solidarity with people and communities who face many obstacles in a way that is both respectful and sustainable? What does this mean in the context of gender specific work?

During the week, 15 events and speakers will address both faculty and students. From topics related to disability and child and family safety, to questions of international solidarity and the meaning of trigger warnings, this year’s IWW program promises to offer the Vanier community many opportunities to think through some of these difficult questions. Guest speakers include Professor of Indigenous and Canadian Studies Kahente Horn-Miller, activist Marlene Hale, filmmaker Karen Cho, artist and activist Shahrzad Arshadi, author and professor Danielle Altidor, professor Natali Kouri-Towes, Midwife Tania Callender, and Vanier teacher Jacky Vallée, and many others.

Most of the events will be taking place in person, at Vanier College, in the Auditorium (A-103). The entire week-long program will be streamed via Zoom Webinar and can be attended remotely: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86002322570?pwd=bldvNG85OGdtRy81WHoxRlplVEZnUT09