International Women’s Day: Highlighting remarkable Canadian women

From Viola Desmond to Rupi Kaur, here are six women who left their mark on Canadian society and beyond

Monday, March 8 marks the annual global day to acknowledge the achievements of women, and raise awareness about women’s equality. 

The primary organizer of this day is the International Women’s Day (IWD) organization which works to uplift women by celebrating landmarks, raising visibility and power to various avenues of advocacy, and fundraising for female-focused charities (i.e. World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Catalyst, etc.). IWD also works to assist the empowerment of women in the creative industry, health and sports, technology, and in the workforce. 

Each year, IWD chooses a specific theme for the global day to unite the direction of efforts, fundraising, and awareness. The 2021 campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge. IWD further describes the theme on their website stating that, “We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality, [and] to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.” 

In light of celebrating the groundbreaking achievements of women throughout history, below is a list of Canadian women who have played an extraordinary role in advocating for the rights of women and other marginalized peoples. 

Important figures for women’s rights in Canada

Jaime Black

Jaime Black is an artist of mixed Anishinaabe and Finnish descent. Her most notable pieces are from her REDress project, an art installation that focuses on missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. The project has been installed in public spaces, where red dresses are hung from various platforms (trees, windows, etc.). The installation is to serve as “a visual reminder of the staggering number of women who are no longer with us.”

Viola Desmond

Viola Desmond (1914-1965) was a Black Nova Scotian businesswoman and mentor. Desmond built her career as a beautician, and created a beauty school with the intention of educating and creating employment opportunities for Black women throughout the province. Her most notable life events are her false imprisonment, and her lawsuit against a movie theatre in Nova Scotia. 

After purchasing a movie ticket in 1946, Desmond was seated in the balcony where people of colour were designated to sit. Desmond refused to accept the segregated balcony seating, and sat on the main floor. An altercation broke out between the manager, the police, and Desmond. She was then brought to jail, and was later issued a warrant for her arrest. She refused to accept the charges against her, and appealed the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Her refusal against the charges, and the unwritten segregation rules, made her a historical figure in the fight for the rights of women of colour. 

Mary Ann Shadd

Mary Ann Shadd (1823-1893) was a Canadian-American anti-slavery activist in the 19th century. Her work as a journalist, lawyer, publisher, and teacher showed her devotion to social activism. She was the first Black woman publisher in North America, and her work reflected issues of racial equality, employment, and education opportunities for people of colour. 

Shadd was also involved in the Underground Railroad, and recruiting Union soldiers for the American Civil War. Once settled in Canada, she opened a racially integrated school for Black refugees. After becoming a lawyer, Shadd worked to provide justice to women and people of colour throughout the entirety of her career. 

Ga’axstal’as, Jane Constance Cook

Ga’axstal’as, Jane Constance Cook (1870-1951) was an Indigenous woman from British Columbia, and of Kwakwaka’wakw and European descent. Cook was in a unique position, both with an understanding of the Canadian legal and governmental system, and the culture of Kwakwaka’wakw. While fighting for legal reform at the local, provincial, and federal levels of government, Cook was also a midwife. Throughout her legal career, she fought for access to land, resources, and healthcare for Indigenous communities. 

Rupi Kaur

Rupi Kaur is an Indian-Canadian multidisciplinary artist whose work explores relationships, femininity, experiences as an immigrant, and sexual trauma. Her poetry books have become world renowned with her first published piece, milk and honey (2014), earning a spot on the New York Times Best Seller list. Her writing on women’s resilience and power, and her experiences as a woman of colour, have inspired women of all ages and budding artists throughout the world. 

Jamie Lee Hamilton 

Jamie Lee Hamilton (1955-2019) was a trans Vancouver-based Indigenous Canadian woman who fought for the protection of Indigenous women and sex workers. She ran as a candidate for city council in 1996, becoming the first transgender woman to run for public office in Canada. She was also a part of the whistle-blower callout against a serial killer who targeted sex workers in Vancouver. She spent her career advocating for the protection of sex workers, the homeless, individuals living in poverty, Indigenous peoples, and trans people.

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