For our 2021 International Women’s Day Campaign, we looked to the women who are making space for equitability in Vancouver and beyond. From women’s health, shelter, legal representation and warm, affordable meals, we talked to some of the changemakers in our city. Find out more about them and what they do below.
Julia Freitas
WISH
Where do you work/volunteer and what is your role? Feel free to include your day-to-day tasks!
I work at WISH Drop-In Centre Society as the Drop-In Manager. My job is to oversee the day-to-day operations at the Drop-In, while also providing a safe and welcoming space for women engaged in Vancouver’s street-based sex work. Through my role as a manager, I oversee a dedicated team of frontline workers. Together, we deliver basic-need services and provide emotional support through a lens of acceptance, care, dignity and respect. Our focus at the Drop-In, as well as at WISH as an organization, will always be to center lived experience and provide opportunities for women to make free, healthy and positive choices.
What made you choose to volunteer with this organization, specifically?
Being from Brazil, I was raised in a strong, community-based society. I learned early in life that building a strong community is vital to overcoming any challenge in life. WISH now holds that place in my heart. The organization nourishes community building and trusting relationships. I love WISH because of the amazing people that work and volunteer here. Thanks to WISH, I have built incredible relationships with the most resilient, smart, and strong people I have ever met. I was also drawn to WISH because of its vision of every woman having access to opportunities to make free, healthy and positive choices—a vision that I strongly support.
How did you & your organization adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19?
Sex workers were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic experiencing hardship, loss of income, increased discrimination and harassment while dealing with the uncertainly on the horizon. Meanwhile, many community resources were affected, with some even closing their programs, leading to community members losing their connections and access to basic-needs services. At WISH, the Drop-In quickly pivoted and developed rapid response strategies to support the women through these challenging times. We quickly implemented protocols to ensure our doors remained opened while prioritizing the safety of participants and frontline staff. In order to ensure physical distance among participants was being respected, WISH’s backlot was turned into a 24/7 safe respite area where a washroom trailer was also installed to provide additional space and access to our services. Our incredible team of frontline workers, peers and advocates worked diligently to keep WISH open for members of our community.
What has been your greatest challenge during the pandemic?
The greatest challenge for us at WISH during the COVID-19 pandemic was to witness the loss of community and support systems experienced by participants. Due to multiple services closing, many were left without any means to communicate and were faced with an immediate loss of support systems, including mental health services. This further exacerbated many of the issues already faced by the community including poverty, homelessness, trauma, violence, stigma, and a lack of access to support and opportunities.
How are you supporting the community during this time and how are they supporting you?
Working in an organization like WISH has given me the opportunity to support my community in so many different ways this past year and I can genuinely feel the love and appreciation that I receive back and this is absolutely what has held me through this year.
What’s one thing you’ve learned over the past year that you want people to know?
Essential workers are integral to the COVID-19 global response and it is no different at WISH. Front-line workers, including peers, continue to take on significant personal risk to ensure the most vulnerable members of the community are receiving the care and support they need. The current crisis has demonstrated how essential the role of frontline workers is. Although too often undervalued, their resilience continues to play a major role in the safety of the community. That is what I would like for everyone to know, and something I hope people continue to be aware of, even after the pandemic is finally over.
How can the general public step up and help your organization?
There are many ways in which the general public can help WISH! For example, a great way to help our organization is by educating yourself on the issues faced by street-based sex workers and understanding the role you can play as an ally. I would also encourage everyone to follow us on social media and help us amplify our message. And last but not least, monetary donations are extremely helpful, whether you would like to make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor, no amount is too small. Every donation allows WISH to help more participants.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is the moment to celebrate women and girls in every part of the world. And an opportunity to honour all the amazing, strong, and brilliant women who have been fighting for gender equality now and in the past. Especially for those from countries where women rights are still not recognized and often lost their freedom while striving to eliminate all forms of discrimination against their gender.
When you’re not working, you are:
Well, are you familiar with that type of person who has all sorts of hobbies but never really gets good in any of them? Yes, that’s me. So, I cannot provide a simple answer to this question; however, I can guarantee that it does not matter what I do, I know I’ll be in the company of the most amazing people in the world. And I do miss them a lot!!!
Lesley Wells
Langley Meals on Wheels
Where do you work/volunteer and what is your role? Feel free to include your day-to-day tasks!
I volunteer with Langley Meals on Wheels as the Lead in our Community Kitchen where we prepare meals for people in our community in need of healthy meals. Over the years I have had many roles with our organization and I feel so fortunate to be in this role now as more than ever so many people are experiencing food insecurity.
What made you choose to volunteer with this organization, specifically?
I chose to volunteer with Langley Meals on Wheels because I felt they were an organization that filled a vital role in serving our community. Often seniors lack the support they need to remain in their own homes and feel part of the community.
How did you & your organization adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19?
Many of our volunteers are in a high risk category due to their age. While many felt they had to step back during the crisis, many continued volunteering with us. We created new delivery protocols to keep our volunteers safe as well as our clients. During the crisis we created the community kitchen to further reach out to those in need.
What has been your greatest challenge during the pandemic?
I suppose the greatest challenge is to keep the meals going out. To have enough volunteers to ensure that all of our clients receive the daily meals that are so important to their health and well being. These daily deliveries not only bring nutrition but a caring person to their door during this time when so many feel alone.
How are you supporting the community during this time and how are they supporting you?
I am so fortunate to have caring women with whom I work and together we prepare as many meals as possible for those who need them. Hearing from clients about how much they enjoy their meals and appreciate receiving them inspires us to continue preparing them.
What’s one thing you’ve learned over the past year that you want people to know?
No matter how busy life is it only takes a moment to smile at someone, to be kind.
How can the general public step up and help your organization?
They can come and volunteer or donate to help ensure that we can continue to support our community.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
There has never been a better time to be a woman. I stand proudly as a wife, a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother and a friend.
When you’re not working, you are:
I love to sew and fortunately I have a granddaughter who loves clothes! Additionally I enjoy reading and I look forward to the time when we can travel again.
Lily Huo
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
Where do you work/volunteer and what is your role? Feel free to include your day-to-day tasks!
I volunteer at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC), as well as Strathcona Elementary School, Carnegie Centre, and Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House. At DEWC, I help to support the women at the Drop-in Centre – getting food, drinks and toiletries for them. I also help to bridge the communication gap between Chinese Elders and other women at DEWC, as many of them only speak Cantonese or Mandarin.
What made you choose to volunteer with this organization, specifically?
I choose to volunteer at DEWC because I’m familiar with everyone here and I like being here. I want everyone to feel welcome at DEWC because to me this feels like home. It warms my heart when everyone is well taken care of and it makes me feel that my effort is all worth it. DEWC is also near to my actual home, so it’s easy for me to take a short walk and be home to take care of my family.
How did you & your organization adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19?
We continue to adhere to the instructions of Vancouver Coastal Health while doing our best to support the women in need.
What has been your greatest challenge during the pandemic?
I feel that I cannot get close to anyone anymore. This is the time when we need more human connection but we seem to have a barrier among us. Everyone is also more sensitive about their personal space and I feel that fights or arguments can break out easily.
How are you supporting the community during this time and how are they supporting you?
The community has been helping me with my daily needs such as food and other necessities. I give back to the community by providing my services through volunteering to the people in the Downtown Eastside, especially seniors, women and children. It feels good to support my community when the most I could give is my energy and time.
What’s one thing you’ve learned over the past year that you want people to know?
Volunteering during COVID-19 over the past year, I have learned that supporting one another is so important. We achieve more when we help one another, and teamwork makes everything easier.
How can the general public step up and help your organization?
I think that the general public should pay more attention to the women of Downtown Eastside. We need a lot more support through donations, services, resources, and job opportunities for the low income women living here.
When you’re not working, you are:
Participating in community activities such as bingo at DEWC during my free time. Bingo trains my mind and concentration and I really like it. I also like to paint and I like to bring my daughter to the library when I’m not busy volunteering.
Melinda Laferty
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
Where do you work/volunteer and what is your role? Feel free to include your day-to-day tasks!
I volunteer at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre three days a week. One day a week, I work in the clothing room which is open 10AM to 4PM everyday, and two days a week I work as a peer support opening and set up of the centre at 9 AM, then serving women breakfast and lunch in the afternoon. I also help women access showers, toiletries and assist them in meeting with advocates. Social distancing is controlled and everything kept clean and sterilized. Hand washing and masks are a must!
What made you choose to volunteer with this organization, specifically?
I chose to specifically volunteer for this organization because I had too much free time on my hands and was in my first year of sobriety, so volunteering here filled a big void for me. It just looked like a fun place to work and in doing so I felt I was giving back. lt has now been 3 ½ years and I am loving it! Being part of a team here taught me to be more empathetic, compassionate and understanding of others.
How did you & your organization adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19?
It was not easy in the beginning of this pandemic; there were many changes to set in place and protocols to be followed. At the start of the pandemic, we served meals for takeout only, strict supervision of distancing in line up and also accepting no donations. Eventually though, we all managed to adapt to the “new normal.”
What has been your greatest challenge during the pandemic?
My greatest challenge during the pandemic was overcoming fear of contracting the virus yet doing my best to stay positive and still being a light in someone’s darkness. In my personal life not being able to hug or be with my grand girls was sad. The isolation was very lonely.
How are you supporting the community during this time and how are they supporting you?
I am supporting the community by addressing other’s needs in a non-judgmental, cheerful approach. Just being there for other women and learning self-discipline. The community supports me by building a relationship and making an impact by taking part in my life and what the Centre has to offer me.
What’s one thing you’ve learned over the past year that you want people to know?
The one thing I’ve learned over the past year is that I want people to know that no matter what obstacles come our way, we are all in this together and will get through it. That perseverance, love and patience conquers all!
How can the general public step up and help your organization?
The general public can step up and help our organization by learning about the urgent needs to be met. People can learn more about the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre by going to our website (www.dewc.ca). There is always a way to help, whether that is donating, volunteering, and getting involved to help us towards common goals.
When you’re not working, you are:
When I am not working I am spending quality time with my family which includes four adult children and seven grand girls. I enjoy nature walks, photography, baking, watching my game shows, and true crime. In the evenings I love my PJ’s and recliner!
Amrit Heer
BC Women’s Health Foundation – Young Women’s Council
What makes your organization/foundation special? And why did you choose to connect with them?
I love that they are so passionate about advocating and raising awareness for women’s health equality. BC Women’s was foundational in supporting me during the passing of my daughter and I’m honored to be able to give back.
How did you & your organization adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19?
All of our in person events are now virtual and as difficult as that change can be, we have worked hard to ensure we are still bringing value and advocating for Women’s health through different events and initiatives.
What has been your greatest challenge professionally and personally during the pandemic?
I am currently on Maternity leave from my full time job in Leadership and Development. Personally, having a toddler and baby at home has had challenging days. With limited activities, we have had to get creative at home. It’s taught me resilience and again to appreciate the little things.
How are you supporting the community during this time and how are they supporting you?
Having a platform means that I can use that to help influence. Being able to share BC Women’s initiatives and goals has been wonderful. I am so thankful for my community as being on Maternity leave with two small children during a pandemic can become lonely. I am constantly reminded by my followers that I am definitely not alone.
How are you decolonizing and instilling anti-racist practices into your work/workspace?
Being South Asian and growing up in a primarily white community, racism was very prevalent. I truly believe that to create an equal society, we all have to commit to making unbiased choices and being anti racist in all aspects of our lives. I share relevant information on my platforms as educating ourselves and others is the first step.
What’s one thing you’ve learned over the past year that you want people to know?
Nothing is permanent and you are stronger than you think. This past year has challenged all of us in so many ways and the one thing I’ve learned is to really appreciate the small things as those are the things that truly matter.
How can the general public step up and help your organization/foundation?
They can get in touch with the foundation and volunteer their time to help advocate for Women’s health. There is such a big gap in Women’s health research and to have more people talking about it would be such a huge help.
How do you celebrate or acknowledge International Women’s Day?
I have been blessed to have such strong Women in my life. My Mom and Sisters are all amazing and I am so thankful for them. I have almost 100% female following so highlighting some of the Women who stuck out to me during the year is something I do as well. I am also partnering with some other Women owned businesses to bring awareness to their small brands.
When you’re not working, you are:
Soaking in all the cuddles with my little boys, working out, or watching a good movie!
Diana Etherington
BC Women’s Health Foundation -Young Women’s Council
What is the name of the organization/foundation you’re involved with and what is your role. Feel free to include your day-to-day tasks and/or responsibilities.
[I am the] Chair of the BC Women’s Health Foundation Young Women’s Council. As the Chair of the Young Women’s Council (YWC), i’m responsible for developing and implementing the council’s annual direction & strategic priorities, along with providing leadership and support for the members and sub-committees.
What makes your organization/foundation special? And why did you choose to connect with them?
The BC Women’s Health Foundation’s purpose is close to me as a young woman who has struggled with health issues for most of my life. In and out of hospitals for one thing or another, on top of struggling with Endometriosis for close to 15 years, I inherently understand how helpful and challenging the healthcare system can be. It’s only through my personal experience that I have learned how best to navigate it – because as we know, there’s no guidebook.
I was drawn to the Young Women’s Council, as I observed the unique and memorable ways in which they were connecting with the community. The Foundation is grounded in amplifying voices, increasing subject matter knowledge and funding work which will drive equitable change in women’s healthcare. I’m extremely honoured to be able to lead the council, which seeks to bring education and awareness to this work.
How did you & your organization adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19?
The Young Women’s Council has used this moment in time to bring attention to the confluence of a pandemic and its impact on women’s health. We’re sharing resources, like articles, podcasts, and designing virtual experiences which inform and are geared at younger women who may feel helpless and/or alone in the struggle. Similarly, the Foundation has made a large investment in research on this topic and I’m immensely proud of that work. Some interesting facts, which i’m sure readers would be keen to learn from the findings include:
Women’s mental health has been heavily impacted by the pandemic. 63% of younger women (those aged 35 and under) and 37% of women aged over 35% reported feeling worry, anxiety or stress.
Indigenous women and those from a minority community are more inclined to rate their emotional health poorly (27% and 35% more likely respectively) since the beginning of the pandemic.
Concerns regarding finances and job security has resulted in nearly half (44%) of women stating their health has been affected in some way,
You can read more at unmaskgenderinequity.ca
What has been your greatest challenge professionally and personally during the pandemic?
Funny enough, I think the two are one in the same right now. Don’t we all joke about how we live from work? My greatest challenge during the pandemic has been trying to stay motivated in both areas – turning to my personal drivers to help fuel me professionally, and vice versa. I have struggled to stay motivated and feel connected, and I am very aware that I’m not alone in that. That sense of community has been a helpful reminder when I wake up. I’m not alone (even if it may often feel that way).
How are you supporting the community during this time and how are they supporting you?
I like to think that the work I’m doing volunteering with the BC Women’s Health Foundation is a core way I’m supporting the community. I’ve also tried to donate things from around my home to those in need (personal and household items). The economic challenges that have arisen due to the pandemic have made me hyper aware of my privilege. On the flip side, I have felt immense support from my family, neighbours (close friends) and my colleagues over the last year. The people in close proximity to me have not let me down. They have taken the time to check-in, listen without judgement and create space for me to go through the ups and downs that come with processing a global pandemic. I’m eternally grateful for this community.
How are you decolonizing and instilling anti-racist practices into your work/workspace?
As it relates to my role with the Young Women’s Council, we have sought out an incredible group of council members who we believe will actively represent a multitude of lived experiences and be thoughtful in how we connect with our community. The BC Women’s Health Foundation struck an internal EDI working group in 2020 and has brought its learnings and questions to an external diversity and inclusion consulting firm, recognized for its excellence in implementing meaningful change in organizations. The foundation and staff are keen to do the work and apply these ongoing learnings to their policies and practices.The Young Women’s Council looks to reflect and expand upon such practices set forth by the foundation.
What’s one thing you’ve learned over the past year that you want people to know?
That’s a tough one – I’ve learned a lot over the last year. I think the one thing that continuously grounds me, is that my happiness is important and deserves attention. Selflessness is important, no doubt, but prioritizing your needs (in a pandemic particularly) ensures that you can effectively support those around you. Find time every day to do and think of things that spark joy for you.
How can the general public step up and help your organization/foundation?
The Young Women’s Council (on behalf of the BC Women’s Health Foundation) seeks to increase awareness and education in women’s health first and foremost. Therefore, sharing what we’re up to with friends and family, digging into the resources we create, attending our events and most importantly, investing in yourselves helps us help you!
How do you celebrate or acknowledge International Women’s Day?
Personally, I give a big shoutout to all the bad ass women in my life. It’s a nice reminder to take a moment and really tell them how powerful they are, how much they influence you and how big of an impact they make on the world. From the Council and Foundation however, we take the day (and the days (and weeks!) around the special day) to celebrate and draw awareness to women driving change (both professionally and personally). Check out the link below for more information, but I will shamelessly promote our BCWHF x YWC Healthy Women, Healthy Companies event on March 8th.
Haley Hrymak
Rise Women’s Legal Centre
What is the name of the organization/foundation you’re involved with and what is your role. Feel free to include your day-to-day tasks and/or responsibilities.
I am the research and community outreach lawyer at Rise Women’s Legal Centre. I represent self-identifying women in their family law matters. I also provide and create training for the legal community, and conduct research primarily on family violence and the legal system.
What makes your organization/foundation special? And why did you choose to connect with them?
Rise Women’s Legal Centre is a community legal clinic serving self-identifying women all over British Columbia. Rise is a relatively small and new organization, yet it makes a powerful impact for women who are unable to afford a lawyer, and do not qualify for legal aid. Family law is the most significant unmet legal need in BC, and Rise works to fill that gap through direct services, and research and advocacy directed at systemic change.
How did you & your organization adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19?
Rise was very adaptive to COVID-19; we transitioned to work from home immediately without any break in the services we provided. Rise runs a Virtual Legal Clinic, where we use Zoom to facilitate women accessing free legal support throughout the province. We were all very familiar with Zoom and working remotely prior to the pandemic.
What has been your greatest challenge professionally and personally during the pandemic?
I really miss having in-person interactions with my wonderful and inspiring colleagues.
How are you decolonizing and instilling anti-racist practices into your work/workspace?
As an organization, Rise recognises that the legal system is deeply inaccessible for many people and that our clients’ experiences are informed by intersecting systems of oppression. Rise is committed to decolonising our practices and we know this requires an ongoing process of listening, learning, reflecting and working to improve our services and culture. Training is available to our staff, and critical conversations surrounding decolonization, anti-racism, and how to improve our practices are constantly happening. I recently had the chance to attend workshops with “Hummingbirds Rising Consulting,” designed to help non-Indigenous Canadians develop skills to better understand how to make an impact in decolonization. I recognize I still have so much to learn, and I am continually trying to educate myself through the books I read, the podcasts I listen to, and the conversations I have. My best friend and I are always sharing what we each are learning, reading, and practicing, and we talk about how we can better show-up in our lives and careers as anti-racists.
How can the general public step up and help your organization/foundation?
Rise relies on donations and is a registered charity. Another way that you can help support our work is to read our report on family violence and the legal system.
How do you celebrate or acknowledge International Women’s Day?
I spend extra time reading the news on IWD to see the incredible folx that are featured, and the inspiring work being done around the globe.
