With the City of Prince George officially proclaiming November 13-20 as Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU) Week, the University of British Columbia is hosting a celebration of women’s leadership, empowerment and action against gender-based violence.
The week-long event features a slate of workshops, talks, performances and panel discussions aimed at fostering inclusive dialogue and community engagement. It offers opportunities for all genders to come together to listen, learn and share.
This year’s theme, Caring in the Time of Polycrisis, explores how individuals and communities can support one another through moments of social, political, and environmental upheaval.
There are more than 20 free events planned across multiple venues. Among them:
Opening event, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Keynote Speaker: Ethel Tungohan on Care Activism: Learning from Migrant Domestic Workers on how to create communities of care, subvert unequal power structures and build movements
- Location: UNBC Teaching & Learning Atrium
Bluebirds
- A play telling the story of three Canadian nurses who find friendship, independence and influence while caring for soldiers wounded in the First World War.
- Sunday, Nov.17 and Monday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tickets: $10 for students, $15 for others
- Location: The Knox Performance Centre, 1448 5th Ave.
Award-winning Canadian climate fiction writer Premee Mohamed
- Reading and discussion, Monday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Books & Company, 1685 3rd Ave.
- Conversation, Tuesday, Nov. 19, noon. to 1:30 p.m. Location: Bentley Centre, Room 7-172
- Canadian Cli-Fi, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 4 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Location: Room 7-212
Women in Science panel discussion
- Tuesday, Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Featuring Penina Sara-Lynn Harding, Alexia Constantinou, Kathy Lewis and Krista Sittler
- Location: Room 7-238 and online
Transgender Day of Remembrance Ceremony
- Wednesday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Location: Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria Street
- Commemorative Ceremony for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: UNBC Teaching & Learning Atrium
IWAU was founded by Annie Booth and Zoë Meletis, faculty members at UNBC, who have worked alongside student planning assistants Kiara Mills and Zehra Zawawi to bring the week’s events to life. The initiative is supported by a number of community partners and sponsors, including the City of Prince George, and aims to amplify voices that are often underrepresented in public discourse.
“The IWAU series is a celebration of the courage and leadership of women who are making change in our communities,” said Zehra Zawawi, a graduate student planning assistant. “I’ve seen firsthand how this initiative fosters connection, empowers people, and creates lasting change through the sharing of stories.”
Kiara Mills, an undergraduate student planning assistant, added, “As a participant last year and now a student assistant, I’ve found nothing but comfort and community in every space we’ve created for these events. I look forward to learning from the incredible people who will be joining us this year!”
