This IWD IRIS would like to tip our hats to the amazing team at Elevate Resiliency! For Black History Month they hosted the Elevated Woman: Black History Month Celebration on February 17th in Scarborough at CEE (Careers, Education and Empowerment) – Centre for Young Black Professionals.
Thank you to the phenomenal Laura Hammond and Alisha Williams, Founders of Elevate Resiliency, for organizing and highlighting the strength, resilience, and excellence of Black women in community. Cheers, tears and joy filled the room that evening as we heard stories, experienced live performances, and connected with one another! We will continue to strive towards elevating all women-identified people of all unique identities, honouring them today for International Women’s Day and forever.
Laura Hammond, Doris Rajan, and Alisha Williams smiling and posing in front of decorative wall with purple, gold, white and black balloons and a backdrop featuring Women and Gender Equality, Elevate Resiliency, and IRIS logos.
Five Award winners smiling and posing in front of decorative wall with purple, gold, white and black balloons and a backdrop featuring Women and Gender Equality, Elevate Resiliency, and IRIS logos.
Bianca Okine and Doris Rajan smiling and posing in front of backdrop featuring Women and Gender Equality, Elevate Resiliency, and IRIS logos.
International Women’s Day provides an opportunity for us to reflect on issues of gender inequality, gender-based violence and the oppression of women, but also draws light on the power and contributions of women across the world.
Through the work of the Local Safety & Inclusion Solidarity Networks we think about the most marginalized women and their journey to receiving the equity they deserve in various aspects of life: housing, safety, economic development, supports and the list goes on!
We extend International Women’s Day beyond March 8th; beyond just one day of reflection, but a lifestyle to always uplift and appreciate all women-identified peoples!
Written by: Bianca Okine, Social Development & Projects Coordinator, and Doris Rajan, Director of Operations & Social Development.