People
Cairine Wilson
by | May 9, 2001
Cairine Wilson paved the way for the future of women in politics by becoming, in 1930, Canada’s first female Senator. Though by no means a radical, she broke away from the role of society matron and undertook a career as a political Liberal with substantial help, at the outset, from her husband’s connections. Over the years, she worked in the Legislature on behalf of women, Medicare, divorce, and was on numerous committees, making life easier for people and women in Canada. read more
Reviews
the secret of Gabi's dresser
by | Apr 20, 2001
In recognition and in remembrance of the Holocaust, we present an excerpt from a book for young people (8 to 11) by Kathy Kacer. Kathy’s mother, Gabi, was a young Jewish girl living in what was is now Slovakia (then part of Czechoslovakia). In 1942, government forces started to deport Jews from Slovakia. At one point, the target of the deportations was young, single girls. In Gabi’ voice, her daughter Kathy tells what Gabi experienced, and how she survived to eventually come to live in Canada. read more
People
dancer, choreographer: Claudia Moore
Mar 12, 2001
At 47 years young, working from the stuff of everyday human experience to create a cross between dance, theatre, music, performance art and visual design, is what Toronto-based choreographer Claudia Moore does best. Through MOonhORsE Dance Theatre, working with dancers, composers, musicians and designers to create dances called, “Wombdoor and Crow Sisters,” Moore is a sensitive commentator on the human condition and women’s lives in particular. read more
Ideas
the first Friday in March: World Day of Prayer
Feb 23, 2001
In 2001, the World Day of Prayer – celebrated the world over by Christians – was associated with a gender-inclusive theme chosen by Samoan women. The women of this island near New Zealand indicate in their prayers that a prayer is not complete without an action following it. read more
News
February 14, 1981: women’s constitution conference
by | Feb 6, 2001
Does Valentine’s Day, 1981, ring a bell? Many women in Canada will remember the day when they gathered in Ottawa, Ontario, for the women’s constitutional conference, the first public conference ever held in Parliament buildings to discuss Canada’s new constitution. On that day, and in the excitement that followed, they, with thousands of other women across Canada who spoke up and took action, changed the history of Canada. read more
Ideas
Kwanzaa in Canada
by | Dec 19, 2000
New ideas, new values and new traditions are all part of Kwanzaa, the cultural holiday celebrating the history, culture, survival, struggles, resilience and triumphs of Black families and communities around the world. Kwanzaa gives women hope that our society and culture are changing – slowly but surely. Happy Kwanzaa to all! read more
People
Lea Roback
by | Dec 4, 2000
Canada has a special gift that is rarely recognized – a generation of women who blazed the trail for feminism and remained active throughout their lives. Doris Anderson, Kay Macpherson , Muriel Duckworth and Madeleine Parent are but a few of the best known. An even earlier pioneer died in 2001 in Montréal at the age of 96 – Lea Roback, union organizer. read more
People
new Canadian: Maria Smeriglio
by | Nov 29, 2000
Arriving in Toronto from Italy in 1973, Maria Smeriglio was determined to learn English once her children settled into school. Starting in 1983, her journey learning the English language has given her many challenges and successes, and she has grown intellectually and culturally, passing the lessons on to her two sons. She now works as a head librarian. read more
People
Miyoko Ohtake
by | Nov 29, 2000
In 1942, after Japan entered World War Two, the Canadian government passed the War Measures Act, stripping 20,000 Japanese Canadians of their property and forcibly moving them to internment camps where they were confined until after the War had ended. All this to allay fears of any Japanese spies or secret agents living in Canada. read more
People
December 6, 2006: remembering the lost, honouring the living
by | Nov 21, 2000
On December 6 each year, Canadians remember 14 women murdered in 1989. Seventeen years later, violence against women remains a prominent social problem. There is a need to take a global view of domestic violence, and to treat it as a major public health issue. Finally, this is starting to happen. Montreal recently hosted the first international conference on Violence Against Women. read more
features
Blog Entry
welcome to section15.ca
Thursday April 9 | 11:03 AM
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Seasonal Feature
February 2: Imbolc – Groundhog Day
by
Groundhog Day, is the modern version of St. Brigid’s Day and Imbolc (or Candlemas). A time of intuition and looking forward, it is held that the groundhog comes out of her hole and looks for her shadow. If she sees it, she knows there will be six weeks more of winter. The spirit of life is born at the winter solstice when the sun begins its gradual return. In February, at Imbolc, the earth, the physical, has its first experience of life stirring deep within, waiting to appear in the spring. read more