Solidarity is key at this high-powered, boundary-pushing event led by community-building organisation We Are the Mainstream. In honour of International Women’s Day (March 8), First Nations, Black and women of colour are invited to a symposium exclusively by and for their communities. It's a full-day affair, with international and nationally renowned speakers, tailored workshops and interactive breakout sessions.
This year's theme, 'Ain't I a Woman?', borrows from an 1851 speech given by Sojourner Truth, an anti-slavery advocate who was born into slavery herself in New York State. the 2021 iteration of We Are the Mainstream's event explores just who counts as a woman in mainstream feminism, while unpacking queer and transphobia, and paying heed to the specific difficulties disabled women of colour face in their day to day.
The morning kicks off with a panel titled 'intentional intersectionality', which looks at the nuances of intersectionality and unpacks the operation of it in workplace contexts: is it just a buzzword, or can it be employed as an underlying principle?
Speakers fronting the event include Sandhya ‘Dusk Devi’ Nand, a model, activist and writer; Celeste Carnagie, a STEM educator passionate about providing digital opportunities for First Nations people; Ayah Wehbe, a social researcher who is also a deaf and hard hearing advocate and Loma Cuevas-Hewitt, a cultural anthropology researcher and trans rights activist. They will share stories of their successes and frustrations. Later on in the day, time is reserved for attendees to engage in open conversation about their hopes for the future and share their own challenges. It's not just about the conversation – you'll be able to nourish yourself with food by Parliament on King and Al Aseel, as well as Walkabout Coffee for all your caffeine needs.
Rounding out the day, a series of breakout sessions will shed light on specific areas: dive into topics like parenting, healthcare, slacktivism, self-love, creative arts and trans solidarity.
Tickets are on sale now for $150 – but discounts are available for prospective attendees who identify as being First Nations, Black or low-income, as well as other categories. Join in on the event on March 14.