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  • Reviews

  • riding the roller coaster of feminist publishing in Canada

    by May Lui | Aug 16, 2007

    In the 1970s, feminist publishing inspired and motivated many women across Canada. They wanted to read about their own experiences, their theory, their stories, and their poetry. Through the 1980s and 1990s, women’s presses only got better at delivering on that desire. Publishers have come and gone. Getting books out continues to be a challenge. The rewards? Seeing a movement evolve. Seeing a history recorded. Seeing such vision and voices for the first time in book form. read more

  • Feminist bookstores in Canada

    by May Lui | Jul 23, 2007

    There are currently four women’s bookstores in Canada – down from over a dozen down in less than ten years. Staying viable and surviving has never been more challenging – or more important. read more

  • Vancouver Memory March

    by Christine McDowell and Lisa Schincariol | Mar 30, 2007

    After a month of record rainfall, Vancouver was blessed by sunshine the day of the Memory March. The light and the wind picked up our spirits as we gathered by the Missing Women’s Memorial in Crab Park. read more

  • December 8, 2006: eulogy for equality in Status of Women Canada

    by Marianne Cerilli | Dec 11, 2006

    “This is time for all women and all men who support the equality of women in this country to remember that we decide who the government is.” On a balmy Friday in Winnipeg, about 150 people held a mock funeral for the assault on Status of Women Canada’s mandate and funding. This is the eulogy. read more

  • Murdoch v. Murdoch and family property law in Canada

    Jul 7, 2006

    Certain cases become the catalyst for significant and far-reaching developments in the law and law reform. Murdoch v. Murdoch is one such case. A ranch woman from Alberta, Irene Murdoch was involved in a claim to share in the family ranch that she and her husband had built up. The failure of that claim was a personal disappointment to her and became the inspiration for a major public movement for property law reform. read more

  • April 1994: the night raid at Kingston’s Prison for Women

    by Sierra Bacquie | Apr 24, 2006

    There was supposed to be a new approach to the Correctional Service of Canada’s relationship to female offenders, who were promised responsible choices, respect, dignity, supportive environments, and shared responsibility. But on the night of April 26, eight women experienced humiliation, degradation, raw fear and trauma at the hands of an all-male emergency team. How did this happen? What has changed since?  read more

  • women and war: Women’s History Month 2005, contributions and consequences

    by Jude MacDonald | Oct 5, 2005

    It’s been 60 years since World War Two ended. On this anniversary, Women’s History Month looks at the roles of women in times of war, peace-making and conflict. CoolWomen reviews its stories about Canadian women who have faced the battle. read more

  • civilization and the caring profession

    by Moira Farr | Jun 2, 2005

    Nurses. They have stitched wounds in remote coastal outports and helped women give birth safely in isolated northern outposts. They treated gold prospectors who contracted typhoid fever on the Klondike Trail in the early twentieth century. They donned uniforms in both world wars – in fact, they were the first female military officers in the world. And they bravely risked their own health as they donned masks and gloves and cared for gravely ill patients during the Toronto SARS outbreak of 2003. read more

  • 20 years and counting: section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

    by Lisa Rundle | Apr 15, 2005

    Before Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into effect, women’s rights didn’t enjoy much protection under Canada’s laws. In fact, they didn’t enjoy protection under the law at all. read more

  • history: the Toronto dyke scene

    by Heather Ann Brown | Jun 15, 2004

    Every year since 1996, dykes hold a march on the day before the Sunday Pride Parade in Toronto. Behind all the fun is a vibrant community that is taking a visible and vocal place in society. The same thing is happening in other towns and cities in Canada and around the world. The route to the parade has been a committed and creative one. read more

features

  • Seasonal Feature

  • February 2: Imbolc – Groundhog Day

    by Pat Hacker

    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