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UNBC Hosts Inspiring Women Among Us

Oct 29, 2018 | 11:34 AM

UNBC is hosting Inspiring Women Among Us… A series of events to celebrate women’s contributions to society and discuss how we can support and listen to our female colleagues, friends and family.  IWAU hosts a variety of events that are FREE, inclusive, educational, and accessible.  IWAU is for ALL genders!

IWAU partners with the University of Northern British Columbia, the City of Prince George, the Prince George Public Library, the College of New Caledonia, local and external speakers and presenters to bring an eclectic and captivating series of educational and inspiring events to our community.

IWAU opens this year on November 14th with a flag raising in the UNBC flag circle, and an opening ceremony at 10am in the Canfor Winter Garden followed by a presentation from activist, speaker, philanthropist and entrepreneur Marissa Janae Johnson (founder of The Phoenix Fighter and Co-founder of Safety Pin Box). Her talk is called “Thinking Outside The Box: Revolution By Any Means Necessary,” and will begin at 12 noon in also in the Winter Garden.

This is IWAU’s fourth year of celebrations and activities. Our theme this year is: Women, Leadership and Power. Previous years saw IWAU celebrate Women, Science and Environment (2105); Women, Media and Masks (2016); and Women, Work and Allies (2017).  We hope this year’s series encourages discussion and further understandings of gender-based challenges and opportunities, particularly in light of the #metoo and #timesup movements, Canadian, American and global politics, social movements, and resistance efforts. 

Events this year include arts and creativity workshops, business mentoring & networking sessions, leadership panels, films, a play, community learning, storytelling, and commemorative ceremonies. To help focus the conversation this year we are having theme days such as: Arts and Sciences, Super Indigenous Day and Mentoring and Masculinity.  Events are held at a variety of times throughout the day, and at several locations around the city of Prince George to attract attendees within and beyond the university. 

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A sample of events coming this year include:

Nov. 14th: Opening ceremony at 10am; Johnson’s Keynote: Thinking Outside The Box: Revolution By Any Means Necessary at 12noon. UNBC Wintergarden

Nov. 15th: Creativity night with Si Transken @ UNBC’s Rotunda Gallery, TIME

Nov. 16th: Georgina Lloyd, a Senior Director for Indigenous and Northern Affairs with the Government of Canada Presenting on “Consultation and Leadership” @ UNBC 12:00 -1:30pm.

Nov. 17th: Feminist Children’s Storytime @ Books and Co. 10:00 – 11:00am • Inspiration Through Making @ the Two Rivers Gallery 1:00 – 4:00pm

Nov.18th: Creativity Cabaret @ the Omineca Art Space 1:00 – 3:00pm

Nov. 19th: Mentoring in the Academy Panel @ UNBC 9:30 – 11:00am • Dr. Alexis Mootoo – Workshop:  The Body RealPolitik: The Intersection of Gender and Difference in Higher Education @ UNBC 2:00 – 3:30pm • Small Business Speed Networking @ Hub Space 6:00 – 8:00pm • 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche. A dramatic reading co-produced by Pocket Theatre, Cinema CNC, and IWAU.  7:30pm. Cinema CNC’s room 1-306, CNC.           

IWAU is hosting a super fun, slightly dangerous, “Femme Fetale” fundraiser on Saturday Nov 17th – 9pm until late, at local hot spot Nancy O’s.  The theme is of your favourite femme fatale (real or imagined).  We also invite you to dress in black, purple and gold, or simply come as you are. All proceeds will go directly to the IWAU Award, given yearly to UNBC students who identify as women, who are facing significant barriers in seeking a university education.  The IWAU award has been a legacy from the IWAU celebrations for three years now, raising over $13,000 to date, and directly supporting women’s post secondary education.

IWAU comes to a close with a commemorative service that acknowledges Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and the Dec. 6th anniversary of the 14 women massacred in 1989 at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. It will be held at 11am, Nov. 21st, 2018, in the UNBC Winter Garden, and is organized by the Northern Women’s Centre.

IWAU invites you join us for diverse activities, to listen and learn from unique presenters and leaders, and to think outside the box, for a brighter future.  Select any and all events that appeal to you, and consider pushing your comfort zone– try something new, and please bring a friend! We strongly encourage participation of all genders, including male participation.  We are all part of this community and can all help to improve gender relations in our homes, workplaces, academic environments, volunteer organizations, social groups and communities.

In November, our schedule of events will be online at www.unbc.ca/inspiring-women

Or follow us on Facebook @InspiringWomenUNBC or on Twitter @IWAU_Events.  To stay up-to-date and remain in the conversation search and/or use the tag #IWAU2018. Or contact us for more information at iwau@unbc.ca.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

The IWAU 2018 Planning Committee