Join BWSS on International Women’s Day Celebration

Every year people around the globe commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) to honour and celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women and to challenge the status quo for women’s equality and to work for positive change.

2014 IWD theme Inspiring Change encourages advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way.

Each day at Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS), we advocate for women and continue to strengthen the collaborations in the community, bring awareness and organize others to join the efforts of ending violence against girls and women.

We invite you to join us for International Women’s Day celebration events to honour women and to inspire positive change!

West Coast LEAF’s Annual 27th Equality Breakfast

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 equality banner corrected date

Honour our collective achievements, inspire and be inspired, catch up with old friends and meet new ones, and raise money for West Coast LEAF’s upcoming projects in the areas of legal education, law reform, and litigation.

This year, West Coast LEAF is thrilled to welcome Dr. Samantha Nutt as keynote speaker. Dr. Nutt’s experiences as a medical doctor in Somalia led her to found War Child Canada, which has restored childhood to thousands of children in war-torn areas since its inception in 1999. She is also a bestselling author and accomplished physician in Toronto, and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2011.

Dr. Nutt is a fierce and outspoken advocate for the rights of women and girls all over the world. While each of our struggles for gender equality may be vastly different in nature, they all deserve our dedication and resolve. Her speech is sure to reflect the characteristic passion that fuels her work.

For more information about 2014 Equality Breakfast, please visit here.

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BWSS Annual Volunteer Recognition Party

Thursday, March 6th, 2014

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We at Battered Women’s Support Services are so fortunate and appreciative to have the support from a team of amazing volunteers.

Thank you to…

58 Crisis Line Volunteers who make a difference in our community by working directly with survivors of violence.  They are on the frontline, answering our intake and crisis lines, providing information to women and the community, facilitating women’s support groups. Our Crisis Line and Program is led by Emma Ellison, Crisis and Intake Line Co-ordinator.

39 Retail Volunteers who engage with our community and support our ending violence work, present the best quality of thrift, vintage, & eco fashion in town, and generate funds for our critical prevention & intervention services & programs. BWSS Retail Volunteers Program is led by Samantha Kearney, Manager of Retail Services & Programs.

10 Office Volunteers who answer the business line, create a welcoming safe environment for women who access BWSS, and support our staff members through administrative tasks. Office Volunteer Program is led by Ela Esra Gunad, Manager of Communications and Resource Development.

Women’s Safety and Outreach Program Volunteers work in our women assault and sexual assault program based in the Downtown Eastside including crisis intervention, hospital accompaniments, and advocacy. Women’s Safety and Outreach Program is led by Terriea Harris, Manager of Women’s Safety and Outreach.

Youth Ending Violence Program Volunteers who facilitate workshops for youth, provide youth with knowledge on the difference between healthy and abusive relationships, understand the dynamics of abuse; learn where and how to obtain help and how to be an empowered bystander. Youth Ending Violence Program is led by Rona Amiri, Violence Prevention Coordinator.

Indigenous Women’s Program Volunteers who are on the frontline, answering our intake and crisis lines, providing information to women and the community, facilitating women’s support groups. BWSS Indigenous Women’s Program is led by Brandy Kane, Manager of Indigenous Women’s Program.

Our volunteers’ dedication and passion in working toward ending violence against women is inspiring. Every year we organize a party to recognize and celebrate their commitment, contributions and actions. BWSS simply could not have supported over 10,000 women last year without their work and support and we are truly grateful for the essential work that they do.

All BWSS volunteers are invited to join us for a dinner and dance night on Thursday, March 6.  Hip hop artist JB The First Lady will be performing at the event.

To get more information and/or RSVP, please contact us at intake@bwss.org.

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International Women’s Day 2014 Event

Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Canadian Centre for Elder Law is once again hosting an International Women’s Day event focused on the experiences.

Older Women’s Dialogue Project: Stories of Strength & Resilience

Older women contribute so much to our communities and yet face many barriers to their well-being.

  • Hear stories of how women’s experiences at a younger age shape their experience of aging
  • Listen to ideas for how law reform and policy changes can improve older women’s lives
  • Identify gaps in services for older women

Speakers:

  • Donna Dickison, Stl’atl’mc Nation, Elder & Residential School Survivor
  • Gertrude Pierre, Seashelt Nation, Elder & Residential School Survivor
  • Janine Benedet, Associate Professor, UBC Faculty of Law
  • Elsie Dean, President, 411 Seniors Centre Society

Additional Speakers to be confirmed

Free Event! Women and men are all welcome!

Email cceliwd@gmail.com to register in advance and reserve a space.

Advance registration is recommended but not required. Onsite registration at 8:30 am

Date & Time: Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Location: University of BC, Downtown Campus
800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7

Check Out UBC Map
The theatre is wheelchair accessible via the elevators located at the Robson & Hornby Street entrance.

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Panel: Portrayals of Violence Against Women in Film and Television

Friday, March 7, 2014

VIWIFF_Logo_Red_Transparent Portrayals of violence against women are so ubiquitous on the small and silver screen–but where does creative license cross the line? Does the industry have a responsibility to give a more nuanced portrayal*?

Our ED Angela Marie MacDougall will moderate a panel discussion on ‘Portrayals of Violence Against Women in Film and Television’. Join us for the panel featuring Jarrah Hodge, Gender Focus founder; Hilla Kerner, front line worker at Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter; Anna Crow, Atira Shelter and Metis artist; Ariana, Women Against Violence Against Women; industry professionals, and speakers from anti-violence centres across the city to discuss this timely and thought-provoking issue.

Date & Time: Friday, March 7, 2014 at 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Location: VIFF’s Vancity Theatre

Details are here: http://www.womeninfilm.ca/cgi/page.cgi/_evtcal.html?evt=92

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Inspiring Change: Women Leading the Way

Friday, March 7, 2014

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Battered Women’s Support Services is collaborating with Oxfam Canada, Justice Education Society of BC, Amnesty International, and UBC Economic to celebrate the social, political, and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on the areas requiring further action.

It will be an evening of lively music, interactive panel presentations, and engaging round table discussions.

Opening: Brandy Kane, BWSS Manager, Indigenous Women’s Program

Featuring:

– Rumana Monzur

– JB The First Lady, Aboriginal youth educator & hip hop artist

– Ellaine Corpus, Canadian Filipino Advocacy Network

– The Raging Grannies will sing at the event

Date & Time: Friday, March 7, 2014 at 7 – 9:30 pm

Location: Vancouver Public Library, Alice MacKay Room

All are welcome. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be provided.

Space is limited. Please pre-register on Eventbrite.

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Remarkable Women 2014: Honouring Women in the Year of Reconciliation

International Women’s Day and the Remarkable Women Celebration

Saturday, March 8, 2014

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A presentation ceremony to honour 12 local women selected as the 2014 Remarkable Women by the City of Vancouver and the Parks Board on Saturday, March 8th.  At BWSS, we have the honor of working with one of those remarkable women, Angela Marie MacDougall, our fearless Executive Director.

The Ceremony and Reception are open to the public. Join us to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable women!

Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 12:30-4:00 pm

Location: Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre

The event program:

Ceremony: 2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance Centre

Reception: 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Exhibition Hall

Light refreshments will be served.

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International Women’s Day Rally & March

Towards Our Liberation ~ Women Struggle For Social and Economic Justice  

Saturday, March 8th, 2014

IWD Rally Poster-page-001Date & Time: March 8th at 1 pm

Location:  Vancouver Art Gallery – Robson Street Side

Join us at the International Women’s Day Rally & March as we raise our voices for liberation and justice for all women!

Terriea Harris, BWSS Manager, Women’s Safety and Outreach will speak at the Rally.

International Women’s Day Organizing Committee also invites you to join:

Towards Our Liberation: Women Leading Anti-Imperialist Struggles

with Coni Ledesma, Leila Khaled, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Nahla Abdo

Date & Time: March 7th at 7 pm
Location: SFU Harbour Centre
515 W. Hastings St – Vancouver
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“Defining Success” ~ International Women’s Day Conference

Saturday, 8 March 2014

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Every year on March 8, women from around the world, from all cultures, religion and location, come together in unison to celebrate women’s achievements and to remind one another of what has yet to be accomplished.

This year, YWiB SFU will be hosting its fourth annual Women’s Day Conference with the theme of “Defining Success”. Our social enterprise, My Sister’s Closet, takes part in the conference to celebrate the achievements of the last year and to share in the future steps with young women and professionals at the conference.

Our conference this year is built with the goal to empower young emerging female leaders to pursue the paths they are truly passionate about.”

With the many inspirational speaker presentations and networking opportunities, this year’s conference creates a space for young women and professionals to inspire and be inspired by remarkable stories

Date & Time: Saturday, 8 March 2014 at 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Century Plaza Hotel in Downtown Vancouver

1015 Burrard St, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 1Y5

You can purchase tickets here.

Last year, Battered Women’s Support Services responded to over 10,000 crisis calls from women and girls to get help and end violence. We could not provide this essential support without your contribution.

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