I recently had the pleasure of attending the annual fundraising breakfast for the Canadian Women’s Foundation. This is an organization that I had only heard of recently, but has actually been around for almost 20 years. The mission of the CWF is to raise money to “research and share the best approaches to ending violence against women, moving low-income women out of poverty and empowering girls with confidence, courage and critical thinking skills.” A foundation that focuses on helping women and girls? At the grassroots level? And influenced by research and best practices? CWF, where have you been all my life?!
Getting acquainted with the Foundation has been, for me, a matter of finding out about an exciting, pan-Canadian organization that is actually really doing something for women and girls. Of course, a national organization serving women that is charity-based is a completely different kettle of fish from the publicly funded (and now dead as a doornail) NAC (National Action Committee on the Status of Women). The expectations are different, the politics are different, and the accountability is different.
Yet the criticisms that one can make of charities in general don’t really apply, I think, to the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Sure, you can make the blanket argument that charities prop up our current unequal social and economic system by plugging–and therefore sustaining–gaps that are actually inherent in the model. But in the absence of signs that that system is on its way out (and I mean sooner rather than the long, slow, troubling economic times we’re living in now), it seems to me that throwing my support behind an organization like CWF only makes sense.
After all, they are actively working towards that vision of the future that I have–the kind where women would no longer be the face of poverty, where girls didn’t start the body-loathing campaigns by the time they were seven, where violence wasn’t a reality of the daily lives of so many Canadian families.
Although it is a foundation–an organization that raises and distributes money–and therefore has the appearance of being merely a charity, it’s clear that it’s not. It’s actually a change agent, leading the way in helping Canadian women’s organizations do their work of improving the lives of girls and women. It’s concrete. It’s real. And if you’re looking for a place to put your money where your politics are, I’d suggest CWF might be the place.
Confabulous readers know that we are supporters of Antigone Magazine’s Dreams for Women project. And now, we’re happy to spread the word that you can enjoy the project every day by buying a fancy new 2010 calendar! This year, Antigone decided to do something different and feature postcards made by some of Canada’s female Olympic athletes. Check out some of their postcards here. Your non-profit can sell the calendar as an awesome fundraiser. And if your business is stocking up on calendars for next year, you can buy in bulk and get a discount.
Last night, I attended the AGM for METRAC, a community-based organization in Toronto working against violence against women and children. I was formally elected as a member of the board of directors, which I am sooo excited about. METRAC is an organization that walks the walk, and in doing so, offers a really impressive range of programming in the community.
And now, METRAC has joined the social media revolution. They’ve started a blog called the Megaphone Diaries. It’s brand new, so as of today, there are only a few posts, but the staff and volunteers who are going to be blogging there are keen as all hell and have got a LOT to say. I have a feeling it’s going to be a great resource for women and allies working against violence in all its forms.
Okay, because yesterday was such a bummer of a post, I wanted to leave you with something a bit more positive today. So I searched out what I think is one of the strongest advertisements running on television this year, and one of the best ads for the non-profit/charitable sector I’ve probably ever seen. It’s an astonishing combination of moving and inspirational. Enjoy.
Feeling naughty in Toronto this week? Check this out:
Calling all campers! Sign up today for the best FREE summer camp experience EVER at Planet IndigenUs – Harbourfront Centre!
Join the fun with Kegedonce Press Authors and Friends with the Native Youth Sexual Health Network on August 22 from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. for “Camp Kegedonce,” a late-night fun-filled, sexy, anything-goes celebration of Indigenous erotica, sexuality and sexual diversity.
WHEN: Saturday, August 22nd
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre Toronto, Lakeview Terrace
TIME: 11pm to 1am
COST: FREE!
It’ll be an R-rated romp through burlesque, body painting, music, and spoken word, with featured readings and performances by nationally renowned Metis writer Gregory Scofield performing from the revised, Kegedonce Press edition of his classic book of erotic poetry Love Medicine and One Song, the ever popular and effervescent Cherokee writer Daniel Heath Justice reading racy excerpts from the first ever Indigenous fantasy trilogy, The Way of Thorn and Thunder, and electrifying Anishnaabe writer Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm performing selections from the ground-breaking anthology Without Reservation: Indigenous Erotica.
The incomparable, sex-positive, dynamic Mohawk diva Jessica Yee will be on hand to rock the mic as MC. She’ll introduce you to hot young local Native spoken word artists from Red Slam and entice you with prizes and give-aways from the Native Youth Sexual Health Network and Good for Her feminist sex store.
Body painter Ark Angel and Métis burlesque dancer Veronika Swartz AKA “Priscilla Pussycat” from the Shameless Dames will make things sizzle while dj Mad Eskimo keeps the fires burning with his Arctic flavoured, heart thumping, body pumping, soulful electronic sounds, music, and images.
Since some of Confabulous’ best friends are historians, and since this project sounds REALLY EFFING COOL, I just wanted to let you know about a little something something our American friends are up to. The GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco is currently accepting personal diaries from woman-identified, lesbian, bi, trans, or otherwise queer women. You can set your conditions of access.
This is from Don Romesburg at Sonoma State University:
Allow me to make a pitch for the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco. We are one of the largest and most professionally organized community-based archives for the lesbian, gay, bi, and trans community. We also have a strong commitment to accessibility in collection, research, and exhibition.
We absolutely love diaries, journals, letters, and the like, because they provide such a personal and profound perspective on the various and complex lives we lead, the loves we share, and the challenges we endure in building worlds of possibility big and small.
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Amanda of Antigone Magazine fame. I was amazed by how much power, energy and spark is within this young feminist mover n’ shaker. Part of what Antigone does is the Dreams for Women project, which they are generously sharing with Confabulous. This week’s postcards, I felt, were particularly poignant.
What are your dreams for women? We want to know! Share ‘em and send ‘em in:
Antigone Magazine
C/O WILLA
Box 61 – 6138 SUB Blvd
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z1
I recently had the pleasure of attending the annual fundraising breakfast for the Canadian Women’s Foundation. This is an organization that I had only heard of recently, but has actually been around for almost 20 years. The mission of the CWF is to raise money to “research and share the best approaches to ending violence against women, moving low-income women out of poverty and empowering girls with confidence, courage and critical thinking skills.” A foundation that focuses on helping women and girls? At the grassroots level? And influenced by research and best practices? CWF, where have you been all my life?!
Confabulous badges!
