Worldywcaday

World YWCA Day 2009Women Creating a Safe World

A Canadian educational reformer and founder of the national association of the YWCA. After her infant son died from drinking impure milk she devoted herself to the betterment of education for new mothers and became the president of YWCA Hamilton

A physicist and chemist of Polish upbringing and French citizenship. Currie was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity and the first person ever awarded two Nobel Prizes. She was also the first female professor at the University of Paris.

Leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma and a noted prisoner of conscience and advocate of nonviolent resistance. Suu Kayi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 . She has been held under house arrest for a number of years by the Junta dictatorship in Burma.

Never Bend your head. Hold it high.

Look the world straight in the eye.

- Hellen Keller

An American journalist, social activist and founder of the Catholic Worker movement. Beginning in 1933 the Catholic Worker movement espoused nonviolence and provided hospitality for the impoverished. Day became known for her social justice campaigns in the defense of the poor, forsaken, hungry and homeless.

American author, feminist, and social activist. Her writing has primarily focused on the interconnectivity of race, class and gender and their ability to further systems of oppression and domination. She has published over thirty books.

Canadian feminist, politician and social activist. It was largely through her efforts that in 1916 Manitoba became the first province to give women the right to vote and run for public office- the government of Canada followed suit that same year. McClung championed dental and medical care for school children, married women’s property rights, mothers’ allowances and factory safety legislation amongst other reforms.

A famous Mexican painter who used vivid colours and a style that was influenced by the indigenous cultures of Mexico. Her work, not largely popular before her death, became well known when the artistic movement Neomexicanismo began. This movement recognized the values of contemporary Mexican culture.

Feminism- I myself have never known what feminism is. I only

know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate

me from a doormat or a prostitute.

- Rebecca West

Barbara Byers was first elected Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress in 2002 after more than a decade as President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. Her 17 years with the Saskatchewan Social Services brought Sister Byers face-to-face with issues that remain at the centre of labour’s agenda – workers’ rights; poverty; Aboriginal concerns; youth unemployment; and justice for equality-seeking groups.

Politician, activist and first female Chief of Norway House Cree Nation and the first female chief in the Manitoba First Nations community. She was also the first female First Nations member appointed as a magistrate.

A Jewish girl born in Germany. Anne Frank gained international fame after her death following the publication of her diary which documents her experiences hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. Noted for her bravery and humour in dire circumstance, Frank’s diary has been read and adored by millions.

An American abolitionist and women’s rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in New York and was made famous by her 1851 speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” She was freed from slavery in 1826 with her infant daughter, although she had to leave her other children behind as they could not be emancipated until they served as bound servants into their twenties.

If you can’t change your fate,

Change your attitude- Amy Tan

An Indigenous Guatemalan, of the Quiche-Maya ethnic group. She has dedicated her life the improving the plight of Guatemala’s indigenous peoples both during and after the civil war. She is the recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize and is the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. She has also been a fundamental actor in the women’s peace movement.

An Albanian Roman Catholic nun with Indian citizenship, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta India in 1950 . For more than 45 years she cared for the sick, poor, orphaned and the dying. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 . At the time of her death in 1997 the Missionaries of Charity had expanded to include 610 missions in 123 countries including hospices for people with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, soup kitchens, orphanages and schools.

American marine biologist and nature writer. Best known for her environmental advocacy, Carson wrote “Silent Spring” in 1962. This book is credited with alerting the world about the problems caused by synthetic pesticides. Her work is noted to have spurred a reversal in national pesticide policy, leading to a national ban on DDT and other pesticides.

American author and activist. Alongside her husband, Martin Luther King Jr., Scott King was a prominent leader in the Civil Rights movement. After Martin Luther King Jr’s assination, Scott King was responsible for finding a new Civil Rights movement leader, and eventually took on the leadership role herself. She remained an important voice in American politics until her death in 2006.

There are no short cuts to any place worth going

- Beverly Sills

Somali born model and women’s rights activist, Waris fled Somalia after her father gave her in marriage to a 61 year old man in exchange for 5 camels. Dirie is best known for her work with the United Nations as the Special Ambassador for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation. Dirie wrote the book “Desert Flower” about her investigation of female genital mutilation in Europe.

Kenyan born environmental and political activist. In 2004 she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. Maathai was an elected member of the Kenyan parliament and served as the Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources. She also founded the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots organization that has planted over 40 million trees in Kenya.

African American civil rights activist. On December 1, 1955 in Montgomery Alabama, Parks, age 42, refused to obey bus driver James Blake’s order that she give up her seat to make space for a white passenger. This action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became a symbol of the modern civil rights movement and Parks is recognized as an international icon of resistance to racial segregation.

A Native American activist, suffragist, abolitionist and freethinker, Gage was born into a house dedicated to anti-slavery. Later, her home with her husband would become a station of the underground railroad. Gage was also a prominent figure in the women’s rights movement and was an outspoken advocate on the rights of Native Peoples.

Executive Vice-President, Canadian Labour Congress-Marie Clarke Walker was first elected Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress in 2002. She is the youngest person and first woman of colour to hold a top CLC leadership position. She’s now serving a 2nd three-year term.

Mexican born not only left her mark on Spanish-American literature but whose cry of revolt over their inferior position of women is timely even today. A self-taught Novohispana scholar she is considered a writer and the precursor to later Mexican literature. She wrote about women’s rights and believed strongly that women should be free to seek education in whatsoever they desired.

Prepared by Caitlin MacLennan

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