Feminists Who Totally Rock 4: Crystal Gartside

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Crystal Gartside, Feminists Who Totally Rock

This week’s Feminist Who Totally Rocks is Crystal Gartside. Crystal works a policy analyst for the Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council. The Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council, “works within the Manitoba Status of Women Division to represent the issues and concerns of Manitoba women. The council focuses on issues that have a social, legal or economic impact on the lives of women and their families”. Crystal has been working hard towards an inclusive environment wherein women from all walks of life are made a priority in policy formation.

1.What was it that inspired you to become a feminist?

I had always had a strong emotional reaction to injustice and inequality. My family and our histories opened me to the oppression and marginalization of women and Indigenous people, but also affirmed my strength and ability to make a difference. When I went to university and discovered feminism through women’s studies courses, I felt an instant affinity; here was a way to really understand injustice – how it works, who benefits and how to make change! It was a framework for understanding all kinds of oppression – gendered, colonial, class – that worked for me, gave me a path to walk, and a way to funnel my strong emotional reactions into something useful, while working with others who felt the same way.

Feminists Who Totally Rock 3: Joyce Polance

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Feminists Who Totally Rock

This week for Feminisits Who Totally Rock we are featuring the amazing artist Joyce Polance. Working with various mediums, she usually paints, “women naked to suggest their willingness to change and be vulnerable, while simultaneously embracing their sexuality and bodies. The women take ownership of both their femininity and their power. My objective is to challenge the viewers to question their own assumptions about strength and beauty” (from her website). Awesome, no?

1. What was it that inspired you to become a feminist?

For me, it’s more of a series of smaller things – not one event. Things like hearing about women in other countries constantly getting violated, incorrectly saying rape victims asked for it. Or the abortion debate and its surrounding issues, like the idea of people wanting to control other women’s bodies. On a personal level, I have my own journey around the messages I’ve heard in society about powerful women being labelled as bitches.  As I’ve become a more assertive adult, I’ve experienced my own conflicts about owning power vs. being nice. Sometimes, I think I am too nice to get ahead, but when I’m being direct, it’s easy to think I’m too mean.   I hate that women have to struggle with this, and I want us all to have peace around who we are.

2. What kind of work do you do?

I’m an artist.  I do large oil paintings of women.  I paint them in situations where they are becoming empowered through owning their beauty, strength and sexuality, and/or taking in support from other women.  The figures in my work are nude –  because I love painting flesh, and because I feel it shows the women as willing to be vulnerable while they embrace both a nurturing role and power.

3. What feminist issue is particularly important to you?

It’s hard to pick just one.  Right now, I have so many friends that are pregnant or who have children. They all struggle with the working at home / working away from their kids/ being home/ contributing money to the household. Those types of issues are of interest to me.  I want women to understand that these decisions are all so personal, and there isn’t a ‘right way’.   So many of us struggle with constant comparisons to others (both in body image and how we live our lives,) and I’d like to see (and have) a freedom from those comparisons. I’d like us to celebrate following our own visions without feeling like we have to sacrifice our femininity.

4. What would you like the future of feminism to look like?

I’d like the word ‘feminism’ to become almost unnecessary – meaning that a world exists wherein everyone is equal and women are treasured.  In the interim, I’d like ‘feminism’ to lose its negative connotations, (probably not possible while there are Rush Limbaughs out there, but I can dream) so women don’t feel conflicted about self-empowerment or about working on behalf of other women.  I also love all the blogs out there – it’s so cool to see the information that’s available now, and the women airing their voices.  It’s so far-reaching and yet subtle (the solitude of one’s computer) at the same time.

5. How can people get involved with your work or in touch with you?

Through my website, http://www.joycepolance.com, or email me at joyce.polance@gmail.com

6. What is your Dream for Women?

As an artist, I would like to live in a world where there are as many women in galleries and museums as men- a world where women don’t have to wonder where their work would be if they weren’t women.  In any profession, women should never have this question.  I once did a painting of a woman with a skirt made of penises.  An artist friend summed it up by asking if she needed a dick to make it in the art world.  That’s obviously a generalization, as there are wonderfully successful women in most professions, but there is still an apparent bias that applies more than it should.

7. What are the aspects of the feminist movement that you are most proud of or most ashamed of?

It’s hard to put judgment on things, particularly when I haven’t been a part of them.  I was only a baby when people were burning bras.  It was clearly right for the times.   I’m proud of so many of the strides women have made and worked so hard for. Also, while I think this is rare, I don’t support putting down men as a way to empower women.

8. Which unknown or young feminist would you like the world to know about?

I have a friend, Janet Bloch, who’s a wonderful artist.  She co-founded Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, which is a fabulous venue for women.  She paints, teaches, and consults with artists.  Years ago, she designed a fabulous T-shirt, “Her Story of Art,” featuring women artists throughout history.  Her work has changed a lot over the years.  It used to be fairly dark.  Her recent paintings can be seen at http://www.janetbloch.womanmade.net/gallery.html.

Feminists Who Totally Rock, Part 2

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Feminists Who Totally Rock

Arlene and Amanda

Arlene Haché, C.M.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Member of the Order of Canada

Arlene Haché is the Executive Director of the Yellowknife Women’s Centre for Northern Families. She is well known for her women’s rights activism, especially with First Nations’s women and has spearheaded numerous programs that address issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, education, unemployment and child rearing. A tireless champion of social justice and human rights, she has also fought to raise awareness of the needs of the poor and disenfranchised. As well, she has lent her leadership skills to local, territorial and national associations, including the Society Against Family Abuse and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Very recently (November 5^th, 2009) she received the Order of Canada for her activism!

1. What was it that inspired you to become a feminist?

I am a feminist in my view, but I wasn’t inspired by the concept of being or becoming a feminist.  I just am.  Inspiration for my work sprang from the myriad of women I encountered throughout my life that engaged in the fight for survival from a gendered war that attacked them from what should have been safe zones – their homes and communities.  First Nation, Métis and Inuit women, who each approach the world from their own cultural perspective, are particularly inspirational for their courage, strength, humour, patience and generosity.

2. What kind of work do you do?

I am the Executive Director of the Centre for Northern Families, a resource centre that supports women and their families living in the North.  The Centre has an emergency shelter for women and offers a broad range of programs that support families.  Programs include:  a drop-in medical clinic, a prenatal nutrition program for pregnant women and new moms, a Family Support Program that provides intensive support to families that are multi-stressed, a licensed daycare, youth-led programs etc.

3. What feminist issue is particularly important to you?

There are two issues of particular importance to me: The penchant for society in general to “mother blame”, and in particular how mother blaming, combined with racism plays out with respect to the continued state apprehension of First Nation, Metis and Inuit children from their communities and nations.  Currently, 9% more First Nation, Inuit and Metis children are in care in Canada than there was during the residential school era – [just one example of] assimilation at work and a direct strike at the heart of  First Nations, Inuit and Metis women.

The second issue is related to the demand of the “sisterhood” and of the public in general for women, and more particularly marginalized women, [asking them] to ignore their circumstances to achieve the “feminist” cause.  “Feminists” who perpetuate the status quo ask marginalized women to recast their lived experiences through the lens of the mainstream and hide racism and classism in “cooperatives” and “collaborations” that are not equality producing because they secure resources and power within the dominant society, usually meaning “settler groups”.

4. What would you like the future of feminism to look like?

Feminism would seek to hear women’s voices, not silence them.  It would be respectful of and work to support diversity by engaging women in ways they recognize and feel most comfortable.  It would build connections around common goals rather than insisting on commonly used methods and ways of working. The future of feminism lies in our capacity to be courageously self-reflective.

5. How can people get involved with your work or in touch with you?

The Centre is most desperately in need of funds to continue its work.  We are also in need of people with specialized training in community development, research and legal work.  People can contact me at: The Centre for Northern Families, Box 2303, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2P7; (867)873-2566 phone; arleneh10@hotmail.com.  Email is the quickest, most reliable way to reach me.

6. What is your Dream for Women?

I dream that each woman recognizes her divine right to determine her own destiny, that she searches for wisdom, discovers her innate strength, shares her insights and fulfills her mission.

7. What are the aspects of the feminist movement that you are most proud of or most ashamed of?

I am most proud of the multitudes of women in my own community and around the world who have not only supported me where I [have been], but asked me to go somewhere else with them.  I am most ashamed of the feminist movement that didn’t recognize me and decided to leave me where I was at, but took credit for carrying me forward.

8. Which unknown or young feminist would you like the world to know about?

I would like the world to know about my daughter Mira Hall.  She is an amazing young activist woman with an incredible capacity for analysis and clarity in communication.  She has a sharp, dark sense of humour and I admire her tremendously.

PS: Check out our interview with the wonderful Mira Hall here!

Feminists Who Totally Rock, Part 1

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Feminists Who Totally Rock

Welcome to the first post of Feminists Who Totally Rock!

Today I am pleased to present two interviews, one with Rebeca Monzo and one with Terrie Chan. Read on and enjoy!

Rebeca Monzo is one of the head co-ordinators of the Beautiful One Conference as well as an ordained minister!

What was it that inspired you to become a feminist?

To be honest I have never really thought of myself as a feminist.  That being said I have always had a strong desire to work with teen girls.  That desire was inspired by the obvious need to shine a light on the unrealistic standards and expectations that are placed on girls by pop culture. I want to encourage, empower and equip teenage girls to live their life to its potential.

What kind of work do you do?

I work with youth both in the church setting as well as in the community where I mentor teen girls and help coach a Sr. Girl’s volleyball team.  I also work with girls through the Beautiful One Conference which is a faith based yearly event designed to empower, equip and encourage teen girls.

What feminist issue is particularly important to you?

I believe that every girl should be afforded the opportunity to pursue education allowing them to achieve their goals and live out their dreams no matter where they live.

What is your dream for Women?

My dream for women is that they would be confident in who they are and live out that confidence in every area of their life.

Which unknown or young feminist would you like the world to know about?

This is a tough one.  I know a lot of strong women who are actively making a difference in the lives of girls and women.

Terrie Chan is a student at UBC Vancouver. This summer she worked for a non-governmental organization in Hong Kong called The Women’s Foundation.

1) What was it that inspired you to become a feminist?

I was inspired to become a feminist for many reasons. The most prominent reason being that women are not, no matter how many people say that we have, won our equal standing in society- or at least in Canada. There are [still] many [areas] in life that women can[not] participate fully [in], or be treated as an equal. There are also many things to be done in order to protect the safety of girls and women, or simply  to be viewed just as valuable as a male counterpart.

2) What kind of work do you do?

I try to fit in feminism in my life and to reflect this to my friends and family. Whenever I get the chance, I talk about the situation of women and girls around the world, which I think is an issue needing attention. In terms of work with credentials, I spent one month in Hong Kong this summer with an NGO named The Women’s Foundation for an internship. That was my first experience with a NGO with a focus on women and girls.

3) Which feminist issue is particularly important to you?

I am most interested in sex trafficking, domestic violence, and women within law.

4) What is your Dream for Women:

My dream for women is for all women to understand their self-worth and that it is not okay when a man treats you as his possession or simply in a bad way, and for all women to understand they deserve respect. It is my hope that all women will have that self-confidence, and that they will stop blaming themselves when a man does them harm. I also hope that women can finally see that they can be just as successful as any man or woman on the planet. Finally, I think we need to accept a norm wherein women do not feel pressured to be sexy or possess a certain ‘male trait’ to be successful. Hopefully this will allow men who have this attitude to discover something other than their present normative thinking-that women are somehow of lesser value compared to men.

Introducing: New Columns at Antigone Magazine

This fall, we are launching a number of exciting blog features and  columns! They are designed to engage in important conversations and to introduce you to amazing women. Over the years, we have met a lot of fabulous female politicians and feminists and we have unfortunately not been able to include them all in our print magazine.

And then we realized that we had a blog and could features whomever we wanted!

So, please welcome our new columns and columnists! They will be posting bi-weekly so look out for their content!

Political Mavens
By Megan Ryland
This column will feature interviews with awesome female politicians and candidates!

Feminists Who Totally Rock
By Emily Yakashiro
This column will feature interviews with awesome feminists who totally rock!

The Feminist Scholar
By Kaitlin Blanchard
This column will feature discussion of ongoing issues in feminist academia!

The Cultural Critic
By Raquel Baldwinson
This column will feature criticism of culture!

We will also be offering other blogs the opportunity to syndicate these columns on their blogs for free! To learn more about how you can publish one of these great columns on your blog (or Dreams for Women!) e-mail us at antigonemagazine@hotmail.com!

If you are interested in starting your own weekly or bi-weekly column we would LOVE to have you! E-mail us at antigonemagazine@hotmail.com

Thoughts from a “Twenty-something”.

Hello everyone! My name is Emily and though I have been part of Antigone for the past year I have not yet blogged on our wonderful blog yet. That is about to change, however.

On August 30^th, I turned 20. I am no longer a teenager, I am officially a “young adult”. Before my birthday I was a sulky mess, I had some sort of Forever Young/ Peter Pan complex thing going on. I wanted to be a teenager forever. A lot of people have said they hated being a teenager because it was all awkward and such. I loved the awkwardness and the teenager antics, it was amusing. But now I am a “twenty-something”.

I have come around now and I am actually quite pleased to be a young adult. I think I’ve turned out okay so far, and I’m excited for my life as an adult. I was good at being a teenager, but I think I will be good as an adult, too.

Here is what I am hoping/aiming for as I take on my twenties:

1. To become a better leader, and by doing so find my voice more in able to speak out about the issues I really care about. I have a tough time speaking out in class and such, stating my opinion in a group of people unless I am really, really confidant in what I am saying. I think now that I need to just take a risk and say stuff even if it comes out a jumbled mess. It would be a messy start, but a start nonetheless J
2. To become more in control of my finances and to be a better saver and a smarter saver. Right now my mum makes sure my money is where it’s supposed to be and such, I earn it, she allocates it properly, and I want to be able to do it myself.
3. To become a better driver. Right now I am a Nervous Nellie on the road and I must be able to get myself from point A to point B without freaking out the entire time.
4. To stay on top of and be well informed of current events. I get stuck in the UBC bubble and my work on campus, I need to make a more conscious effort to keep up to date about what’s going on the world, because some day I am going to help run it.
5. To take better care of my physical health. I eat way to much pastry and junk food. I am a vegetarian who survives off of lattes and chocolate bars and bubble tea. No joke. This is going to change. I’m going to learn how to cook, damnit!
6. To be conscious of my role as a role model. I realize more and more that whether I like it or not, the choices I make influence those around me, and I want to make sure that I am leading by example and practicing what I preach.
7. To learn basic words and sentences in various languages. I want to be polite in all languages, not just English. Desperate hand gestures and such aren’t gonna cut it anymore for me, surely I can manage, “Can I help you?” and “Thank-you” in Polish and Korean and Punjabi and Sign Language and…..
8. To always be grateful and to count my blessings. I am very lucky young adult. I have a loving family and great friends. I have good health and I go to a great school and I am determined to make a difference.

” I can be changed by what happens to me.

I am not reduced by it.”

-Maya Angelou