Empowering Canadian Women of the Past and Present for the Future

Thank you so much for joining us this week as we celebrated some inspiring and empowered women throughout Canada and its history. It has been such a pleasure to share our passion for women’s empowerment with you all and we are grateful for your interest and support 💙

Though our posts are coming to a close today, we hope what we’ve shared with you this week has inspired you to be an advocate for women’s empowerment today & every day 💙🙂

Thank you as well to those of you who have donated to our chosen cause - The Iris Kirby House. This is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts, and we hope that you continue to remember them when thinking about making charitable donations in the future. There are many women and children who rely on the support of the Iris Kirby House. One week of donations and support is tremendous, but there will always be a need in the future as well.
We are so grateful to have had this opportunity to learn and research, and to raise awareness for this cause!
Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

We have also pinned our presentation about violence against women, at the top of the page, should you wish to revisit it 🙂

*This page will remain active for the purpose of creating awareness, but there will be no more consistent postings made here.*

Support Us - Iris Kirby House The success of Iris Kirby House initiatives, and the help we provide victims of abuse, relies heavily on the charitable donations of the community.

Trigger Warning: This post may contain sensitive content or content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some readers.

Hello everyone 🙂

Thank you for taking the time to visit our page and follow along with our posts!

This is a repost of the slideshow, see like below 💙

Link to slideshow:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HDLcfyXeXFls1sNp6pV-GVkzJPEznv8Xl2i5deqVeaU/edit?usp=sharing

Violence Against Women Violence against women Created by the members of “Empowering Canadian women of the past and present for the future” Ashley Bishop, Olivia Carey, Juliana Collins, and Valerie Croke Trigger Warning: This presentation has content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some viewers.

To conclude our “Women of the Day posts”, we have decided to feature an individual that has been the topic of conversation everyday throughout the past year, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald. The face of a global pandemic in the small province Newfoundland and Labrador, Dr. Janice Fitgerald, a woman with passion in community health. Dr. Fitzgerald has done so much to help our provincial community and has undoubtedly empowered many other women through practice and inspiration in her challenging yet successful undertaking as Chief Medical Officer of Health. Prior to March of 2020, many of us were unsure of who Dr. Fitzgerald actually was, unbeknownst to us, she would guide us through the strictest of Public Health Special Measures to keep the novel coronavirus, more commonly known as COVID-19, at bay. Despite Dr. Fitzgerald’s courageous efforts, there was struggle. Having to face the backlash of the public eye and media, Dr. Fitzgerald continued to provide Newfoundland and Labrador with the daily pandemic update, in such a calming tone and never excluding a smile. As we continue through the second wave of the pandemic with the B-117 variant, Dr. Fitzgerald has shown time and time again how important it is to be kind. She always ends her briefing with the phrase, “Hold fast Newfoundland and Labrador.” Dr. Fitzgerald is a true role model and is the face of resilience for this province. She has exhibited over the past year, and continues to exhibit the most positive attitude.
Through struggle, came great Inspiration.
To read more about Dr. Fitzgerald and her efforts please click the link below:https://www.thetelegram.com/news/local/newsmaker-of-the-year-dr-janice-fitzgerald-was-the-face-that-launched-a-thousand-special-measures-orders-536037/

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Shawnadithit

Trigger Warning: This post may contain sensitive content or content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some readers.

Shawnadithit was the last known individual of the Beothuk Community on our now called island of Newfoundland.
The Beothuk often found themselves facing struggles when the European people settled on their land in the 18th century. This was one of the many struggles that Shawnadithit, more commonly known as Nance or Nancy April, faced.
Unfortunately, with the settlement of the European people, came disease, one of which was tuberculosis, which was the cause of Shawnadithit’s death in 1829.
Despite the struggles faced by the Beothuk, Shawnadithit’s story lives on in today's society. Discussions surrounding the Beothuk people following a land acknowledgment, for example, can branch into discussing Shawnadithit and the struggles faced by her and the Beothuk people during their time on the island.

To read more about Shawnadithit and the information discussed in this post, please visit the following link: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/shawnadithit

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Trigger Warning: This post may contain sensitive content or content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some readers.

Hello everyone🙂
Thank you for taking the time to visit our page and follow along with our posts!
This is a repost of the slideshow, see like below 💙

Link to slideshow:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HDLcfyXeXFls1sNp6pV-GVkzJPEznv8Xl2i5deqVeaU/edit?usp=sharing

Violence Against Women Violence against women Created by the members of “Empowering Canadian women of the past and present for the future” Ashley Bishop, Olivia Carey, Juliana Collins, and Valerie Croke Trigger Warning: This presentation has content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some viewers.

Former teacher, Viola Desmond was an owner of a hair salon in Nova Scotia. One night in 1946, she decided to go to the theatre to watch a film. Unbeknownst to her, that theatre, was segregated. This meant that people of colour sat in one section, while the white people sat in another. It so happened that the section Desmond should have been sitting in, was the balcony, where there isn’t a great view of what is happening on screen. Bravely, Viola Desmond decided to take a seat on the main floor of the theatre, with the white people. Desmond was asked to move to the appropriate ‘section’, but she refused. Upon refusal, Desmond was arrested and escorted out of the theatre. Desmond did not just dismiss this encounter as ‘something that happened’, she took it further. This led to an extraordinary movement that went on to be contested in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. It wasn’t until 45 years after Viola Desmond's passing, that she was granted a pardon.

To find more information on Viola Desmond and the information discussed in this post, please visit the following link:
https://humanrights.ca/story/one-womans-resistance?utm_source=SEM&utm_campaign=TravelDifferently&utm_content=ViolaDesmond&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyoeCBhCTARIsAOfpKxgEQUOgR7u2v_KwHIhtbidNdNtuGWIMOYOUtv3_RmcWexDZLsq6KmgaAp3pEALw_wcB

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Lizzie Cyr

*Trigger Warning: This post may contain sensitive content or content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some readers.

Lizzie Cyr was a Canadian Metis woman, who often forgotten, sparked the recognition of women as persons under Canadian law. Her court case as a s*x worker in Calgary twelve years before this law was passed in 1929 was notable because of her attorney (John McKinley Cameron) who fought for her - an uncommon occurrence at the time as typically similar cases were swiftly dealt with and the accused found guilty. She was charged by one of her clients, a Mr. Ryan who paid her ten dollars after rendering her services the night prior. He pressed charges after contracting gonorrhea, and claiming it was due to having slept with Cyr (though he was no gentleman -- he frequented houses of ill-repute and had relations with multiple s*x workers). There was no proof to back up his claim, as no doctor was ever consulted to determine either party’s condition, and no confirmation was made as to whether or not Cyr had gonorrhea. All the “evidence” that existed was Ryan’s testimony against Cyr.
Despite the lack of evidence Judge Alice Jamieson (whose appointment as magistrate was to ensure fair trials for female delinquents), sentenced Cyr to six months of hard labour. Cyr served her sentence (which was the maximum term of imprisonment for her charges) at MacLeod (NWMP barracks). Her lawyer, after losing her case, took Judge Jamieson to task, not only appealing her decision in the ruling, but also to her right to serve as magistrate. After multiple dismissals of Cameron’s appeals, the supreme court of Alberta ruled in favour of Ms. Jamieson, upholding and recognizing her right to hold office. Not only did this ruling favour her, but it meant that Alberta was the first province to legally endorse the rights of women, and their right to hold office. This win inspired the Famous Five (five other women you should research) to fight for the rest of Canada to catch up to Alberta’s ruling. A fight that wasn’t won until October 18th, 1929.

Click the link to learn more about Lizzie, her case details, Ryan’s Testimony, and Cameron vs Jamieson’s case!
https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/women/the-person-behind-the-persons-case

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

The Person Behind the Persons Case - Canada's History In 1929, the British Privy Council ruled that Canadian women were persons under the law. What sparked this victory for women’s rights was the trial of a forgotten Calgary pr******te twelve years earlier.

Hide Hyodo Shimizu:

Hide Hyodo Shimizu was a Japanese-Canadian educator who made strides contributing greatly to the fight for rights of Japanese and non-white Canadians in the 1930s, particularly for full citizenship and the right to vote. Prior to WWII, Shimizu taught at an elementary school in Stevenson, B.C. which was a success in its own right, since B.C. had very strong anti-Japanese sentiments at the time. Unfortunately, the dawn of the War forced Shimizu and all Japanese-Canadians into Internment camps and had their land and belongings stripped away from them. They were all sent to Hastings Park, the clearing zone for Japanese-Canadians in Vancouver, where Shimizu would eventually leave her job and begin an education system in the camp and taught the children being held there. Against the strain of all the obstacles Shimizu had to face, she persevered and became a beacon of hope for her community and brought invaluable education to the children who had lost their homes. To read more about Hide Hyodo Shimizu, check out this link where we found our information for today’s feature: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hide-hyodo-shimizu

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Hide Hyodo Shimizu | The Canadian Encyclopedia History, politics, arts, science & more: the Canadian Encyclopedia is your reference on Canada. Articles, timelines & resources for teachers, students & public.

ATTENTION POTENTIAL DONORS:

The donation button on our posts through facebook seems to be giving some people trouble. If this is the case for you, the link to the Iris Kirby House donation page which is also provided in the posts should work! 😊 If you want to or if applicable, you can put in a message with your donation saying that you are donating after seeing our facebook posts (this is just for the purpose of our assignment but is not a necessity, your donation is appreciated even if we cannot personally see you've donated😊). Here is the link again for anyone who may have had trouble already: https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/

Support Us - Iris Kirby House The success of Iris Kirby House initiatives, and the help we provide victims of abuse, relies heavily on the charitable donations of the community.

Trigger Warning: This post may contain sensitive content or content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some readers.

Another Inspiring woman we want to highlight is Nora Bernard.

Nora Bernard was a Canadian Mi’kmaq activist who filed the first class-action lawsuit against the government of Canada seeking compensation for residential school survivors. At the age of 9, Nora was taken to the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School, where she remained for five years. Following Nora's claim, several other survivors across Canada filed their own lawsuits. These lawsuits came together to form the national class action settlement, the largest in Canadian history. In 1995 Nora started an organization to help represent the survivors of Shubenacadie residential school and convinced lawyer John McKiggan to represent the survivors in court. According to McKiggan “if it wasn’t for Nora’s efforts, and other survivors like her across Canada, this national settlement never would have happened”. Nora testified in front of the House of Commons of Canada about the abuse suffered in residential schools, and their lawsuit saw up to 70 000 former residential school residents receive compensation. Nora passed away in December of 2007, but her efforts do not go unnoticed. Nora’s legacy of justice for residential school survivors is still visible today.

To find more information about Nora Bernard and the information used in this post you can visit https://ammsa.com/node/7019 https://jfklaw.ca/international-womens-day-2019-nora-bernard/

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Nicole

Trigger Warning: This post may contain sensitive content or content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some readers.

Though this story may be lesser known to most people, Nicole’s journey to empowerment is sure to touch the hearts of many. Today’s feature brings a story about a woman who overcame all adverse odds to realize her dreams with the help of community resources and support. Nicole is a self-employed business owner of her cleaning business which she started with the help and funding from the Canadian Women Foundation. Though, Nicole’s life before this change had been very difficult. After a life of poverty, abuse, and perceived hopelessness, Nicole got into a lot of trouble as a teen and dropped out of high school. Though all hope was not lost, as she decided she wanted to fight for her life as an empowered woman and sought out the help she needed to find her skills and her dreams with the help of programs funded by the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

Nicole’s story helps us all to see that nobody who feels lost is unable to be found with help and empowerment. If you or someone you know feels as though they are in a hopeless situation, reach out to supports found in the community, such as the Iris Kirby House, and reclaim empowerment. To read more about Nicole and watch a video of her telling her story, check out this link: https://canadianwomen.org/our-work/stories/

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Susan Aglukark:

Susan Aglukark, while not a household name, is a highly accomplished Inuk singer-songwriter and advocate for her people. She is the first Inuk artist to have ever received 3 Juno awards, a Governor General's Performing Arts Award. Not to mention her status as an Officer of the Order of Canada, or the fact she holds several Honorary doctorate degrees.
She did not always feel closely connected to her culture, and despite her successes, found herself in a dark place when she experienced postpartum depression. For several years after she was on a journey of healing from her depression and reconciling with her culture. Her singing-songwriting and music in general were tremendously helpful in the process. Since recovering from this period of time, she has continued to use her music to share her story as an Inuk, share her culture, the many challenges of Northern communities like her own she grew up in, as well as the struggles of Indigenous youth.
Her advocacy work benefits these northern communities, and she works on projects to champion food security and other supports for them. In addition to this she, through the Arctic Rose Foundation focuses on helping northern youth through the arts/creative programming and opportunities. She also has been a guest speaker to further advocate for these initiatives and the causes she is passionate about.
http://speakerscanada.com/susan-aglukark/

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Laura Secord:

Laura Secord, a name most would recognize for the chocolate company with the name, a haven of confectionary goods for those with a sweet tooth. The real Laura Secord has nothing to do with the beginning of the company, there are no records of her ever being a chocolatier, her only connection is the name as the actual founder named his business in her honour. The real Laura Secord was a wife, mother of five, and pioneer woman living in the Niagara region of Ontario. As unlikely a candidate for her true claim to fame as any. For who would suspect a regular woman like her to bravely step up for her country as she did?
In 1813 Secord found herself hosting American soldiers (led by Captain Chapin) who demanded food and drink in the family homestead. The American Captain and his men, being plagued by British officer Lt. Fitzgibbons and his men at their camp nearby, after plying them with food and drink, began boasting of plans to ambush the British and take Upper Canada in the ongoing war (known as the War of 1812). Secord and her husband overheard every word and came up with a plan for Laura to walk the 32 kilometers to warn Fitzgibbons of the Americans' plans for an attack. Secord successfully made the trek and warned Fitzgibbons in time. This warning secured Fitzgibbons's advantage, and his troops along with the British’s Indigenous Allies defeated the Americans - taking over 500 as prisoners. Had Secord not bravely snuck past the American troops near her home and trekked the grueling journey to warn the British troops, Canada would likely look very different than it does today had America won the Niagara territories and pressed further North. This is why the real Laura Secord is heralded as one of Canada’s greatest heroines. She is an example of bravery and courage. Her homestead is still standing, and visitation is possible.

Learn the full story through both of the links.

https://www.niagaraparks.com/things-to-do/laura-secord-a-look-inside https://www.historicacanada.ca/content/heritage-minutes/laura-secord

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Happy International Women's Day to all women! Today, we celebrated YOU ❤️

The next woman we will highlight is the namesake of the sister house to Iris Kirby House, Sister Magdalene O’Shaughnessy.

In 1833 Sister Magdalene O’Shaughnessy and three other teachers from the Sisters of the Presentation of Our Blessed Lady volunteered to travel from Ireland to Newfoundland and established an all-girls catholic school. The sisters taught the girls in a temporary school while they waited for their new convent to be built. Unfortunately, the convent burned down two years after it was built during the great fire of 1846. This tragedy did not stop Sister O’Shaughnessy and her fellow sisters. The sisters found refuge in Bishop Fleming’s barn floor, where they continued to teach young girls in a nearby field or in the barn. Sister O’Shaughnessy was devoted to educating children and spent her life helping those in need. Even through her own hardships Sister O’Shaughnessy made sure to keep educating children and helping those around her. Sister O’Shaughnessy was also responsible for opening the first presentation sisters convent in Carbonear. Sister O’Shaughnessy had a passion for service and devoted her life to helping others. Her commitment and spirit are what inspire others, and her memory will always be alive through the O’Shaughnessy House.

To find more information about Sister O'Shaughnessy and the information used in this post you can visit https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/about-us/our-namesakes/

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope that you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

To kick off our week of inspiring women we will be starting with the story behind the namesake of our cause, Iris Elizabeth Kirby.

Iris Elizabeth Kirby was born and raised in England and received her bachelor's degree in French-Sweedish from Hull university. Early in her career, Iris felt she was suitable to be a teacher, so she pursued this occupation, later moving to Bermuda with her husband and children. After five years of living and working in Bermuda, Iris and her family took off for a new life in Newfoundland. Once in Newfoundland, Iris pursued a bachelor of social work from Memorial University. As her life went on, Iris became more interested in Newfoundland society’s fabric, but particularly women’s issues. Iris promoted these issues through her work with the Department of the Secretary of State of the Federal Government. Iris was very active in her local parish, Mary queen of the world, and was delighted to welcome immigrants to Newfoundland and often hosted these families. Iris was devoted to helping others and was very hardworking in securing funds to establish the first women’s shelter in Newfoundland. Iris Passed away in January of 1983, but will always be remembered for her determination and passion for helping others and advocating for women's issues. Although Iris has gone, her memory will always be alive in the Iris Kirby House.

To find more information about Iris Kirby and the information used in this post you can visit https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/about-us/our-namesakes/

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope you have become more aware of this new information and are inspired to advocate for those who experience adversity, especially our local women who face family violence. Despite all obstacles, women have the power to rise above and become empowered, just as today’s featured story displays.

Should you wish to donate to the Iris Kirby House or the O’Shaughnessy House to show support for and empower local women, you may do so using the following link; https://www.iriskirbyhouse.ca/index.php/support-us/.

Don’t forget to check out our presentation about violence against women! Stay tuned for more inspiring Canadian women!

Empowering Canadian Women of the Past and Present for the Future updated their business hours.

Trigger Warning: This post may contain sensitive content or content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some readers.

Hello all!!
Thank you for taking time to like our page 😊
Tonight we are going to share a slide presentation which will cover some information surrounding violence against women in Newfoundland and Labrador, but also Canada as a whole. We hope that this slideshow helps expand your knowledge base around this important topic. We hope that you also learn of the available resources within the province to help women in these dangerous situations. Having a knowledge base and a stance on these tough topics is very crucial in creating a community that supports and empowers women who are facing adversity. It is all of our responsibilities to be advocates for women in need of help or support, as you never know what someone may be going through. Our support could mean a world of difference to a woman suffering in silence who needs the courage to come forward and reclaim their freedoms, and live a more empowered life.
Stay tuned for our “Women of the day” posts! We will be starting these posts tomorrow (March 8th), featuring inspiring Canadian women! 💙

Here is the link to our slideshow. 😊
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HDLcfyXeXFls1sNp6pV-GVkzJPEznv8Xl2i5deqVeaU/edit?usp=sharing

Violence Against Women Violence against women Created by the members of “Empowering Canadian women of the past and present for the future” Ashley Bishop, Olivia Carey, Juliana Collins, and Valerie Croke Trigger Warning: This presentation has content surrounding Domestic Violence and may be a trigger to some viewers.