The Feminist Shift

In this episode we talk to Kim Decker, CEO of YWCA Cambridge and Elizabeth Clarke, recently retired CEO of the YW Kitchener-Waterloo, about their legacy of planning, organizing and advocating on the issue of women’s homelessness in Waterloo Region. For over two decades, these leaders have hosted and shown up to meetings, spoken up at planning tables and created interventions in the organizations they lead to tackle the issue of women’s homelessness and the realities that inform it. Together we dive into the findings from our recently published Project Willow Report: “Don’t tell them you’re homelessness.” Experiences of gender-based violence among women experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region, reflecting on how systems and approaches have shifted over time in our region and where opportunities exist for advocacy as we move forward towards an equitable, trauma informed approach to services that is led by the voices of women experiencing homelessness themselves.

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Kimia Eslah is a feminist, queer writer who lives in Ontario, Canada. Born in Iran following its revolution, Kimia spent her early years as a refugee in New Delhi, India, before emigrating to Toronto with her parents and three siblings. Her formative years were spent downtown, in the valley and on the sidewalks, where she played pool, read classics and took up other bad habits. Later, Kimia found her calling as an instructional designer, producing training programs and course materials in various sectors. She dedicated her thirties to raising her son and community building. Today, she spends her days writing and thinking about writing. Kimia lives with the love of her life, Andrew, her son and their three cats.

Kimia Eslah's latest book is called Sister Seen, Sister Heard

Sister Seen, Sister Heard follows 20 something Farah as she tries to assert her independence from her family and their expectations while navigating some intense waters and experiences of patriarchy and sexual violence. Farah is this fascinating young advocate who has a tendency for speaking up against sexism and inequity, regardless of her audience, and spends much of the book on a journey fighting for her autonomy and independence but also to be loved and accepted as she comes.

This book is a rally cry about the impact of tragedy and violence for young women but also the love and tenacity of a family committed to coming together in the sake of safety and healing, while also learning to champion each other.

This episode is a live recording of our latest Network of Neighbours Speakers Series with Dr. Tammy Bernasky. Dr. Bernasky spoke about manifestations of violence that are not always obvious and are sometimes specific to people with disabilities. Not only do people with disabilities experience higher rates of gender-based violence, the kinds of violence that women and trans people with disabilities experience are often more complex. In this talk she also offers strategies for supporting people with disabilities to end gender-based violence.

Bio: Dr. Tammy Bernasky specializes gender-based violence in the disability community. Her work centers story-telling as a form of resistance to gender and disability-based violence. For a long time, history has excluded or erased people with disabilities. Tammy is passionate about ensuring that everyday lives of people with disabilities and their experiences of violence are better understood. Through her research, Tammy has identified common challenges and transformations expressed by women and trans people with disabilities engaged in social movement organizing efforts to end gender-based violence in their communities.

In this episode we bust open the troll inspired myth that Marwa Elselehdar, the recent first female appointed sea captain in Egypt was NOT responsible for the Ever Given damn jam in our Patriarchy Alive and Well segment and then we are chatting with Jelena Vermilion from the Sex Workers Action Network (SWAN) Waterloo Region about their work within the Charter Challenge to the majority of sex work laws in Bill C-36. This is important work to ensure that women and gender diverse folks working in sex work receive the support and protection they need to stay safe in their work. 

All about Jelena:

Jelena Vermilion (she/her) is a trans-femme full-service sex worker, porn performer, and activist of almost a decade, who lives with disabilities. She has limited experience being incarcerated, being homeless, working outdoors and on the street, and as an undocumented migrant. She now works primarily out of her rented residence. She has been featured in several national media outlets speaking about decriminalization.

Jelena is the Co-Chair of the Sex Workers Action Network (SWAN) Waterloo. She provides professional trainings and public speaking engagements for organizations and agencies who wish to affirm the rights and dignity of sex workers. Notably, Jelena has spoken at McMaster University’s School of Labour Studies and the University of Guelph’s School of Social Work.

In 2018, she was subpoenaed as an expert witness in the R v. Boodhoo case, a Constitutional Challenge to certain sex work laws in Canada.

As of March 30, 2021, SWAN Waterloo joined 24 other member groups from all over Canada along with the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform to launch another Charter Challenge to the majority of the sex work laws (Bill C-36) currently in place.

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In this episode we talk to Kate Cozier, Director of Programs at Community Justice Initiatives about her feminist influence on restorative justice work, how to move beyond a prison model and the power of community based justice, particularly for women disenfranchised, victimized or criminalized from and through our police and prison systems. Prior to working at CJI, Kate has spent most of her career working with women impacted by violence. Additionally, learning from her work with criminalized youth, homeless women and sexually abused men, her passion is to work with people who are committed to creating a safe and fair society. She obtained her M.A. in Leadership from the University of Guelph and found herself surrounded by a talented network of people seeking to change the status quo. “I love being a part of the restorative justice movement because we can tackle these barriers on both a personal and a community level. For me, one of the best parts about working within a restorative justice framework, is the ability to work with people who value meaningful accountability, community building and inclusion."

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In this episode we reimagine our justice and legal system with special guest Sukhpreet Sangha, a KW native who is a lawyer, theatre-maker, writer, and barfly. After studying and English at the University of Waterloo, she studied law at Osgoode Hall. Sukhpreet has practiced as a criminal defence lawyer in private practice and as a poverty lawyer at a community legal clinic. In those roles, she appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, as well as several administrative tribunals and the Supreme Court of Canada. Currently, she works in legal education at a non-profit dedicated to youth. Sukhpreet also remains active as a theatre practitioner and, to that end, is co-Artistic Director of Informal Upright Theatre Collective.

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