Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU) is an annual week-long celebration honouring women and other under-represented leaders in society. It’s an opportunity for individuals of all genders to come together in activities and to engage with equity, diversity and inclusion.
It will be held November 22-29 at UNBC’s Prince George campus, other Prince George locations, and online.
This year’s theme is Turning IDEAS into Action: Partnering for inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice and includes over 25 free events.
“Much of the IWAU line-up comes from community suggestions—and thanks to the hard work of volunteers, we have some exciting guests this year,” said Dr. Zoë Meletis, Co-founder and Co-organizer, IWAU. “Our research on IWAU has also taught us these events represent a welcome opportunity to gather, share, and learn during a cold, dark, time of the year, and a tough time of semester. I can’t wait to see how IWAU events and participants come together this year.”
2023 Highlights (all times PT):
- Casey Caines joins us for the opening ceremony speech, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m. An Indigenous lawyer from Fort Nelson First Nation, she soon heads to The Supreme Court of Canada as a clerk to Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin (2024).
- The UNBC Office of Equity Affairs is sponsoring four online anti-oppression professional/personal development workshops run by Bakau Consultancy.
- A Books & Breakfast event with northern B.C. authors will occur on Thursday, Nov. 23, with Adrienne Fitzpatrick, Helen Knott, And Kara-lee MacDonald, from 8:30-10 a.m., in room 7-150 at UNBC (Prince George campus).
- American fiction author Alice Henderson will take part in two events about writing and conservation, Thursday Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24. Friday will include Roland Willson, Diane Desjarlais, and Libby Ehlers speaking on creative approaches to caribou conservation.
- A talk with UK-based author Jaspreet Kaur about her book Brown Girl Like Me- The Essential Guidebook and Manifesto for South Asian Girls and Women takes place, on Nov. 24 from 12:15-1:30 p.m., over Zoom. You can also watch with us, in the Bentley Centre at UNBC (Prince George campus).
- A reception for local artist Cat Siversten’s exhibition Sensibilities of Place will take place from 3-5 p.m., at UNBC’s Robert Frederick Gallery, on Saturday, Nov. 25. The exhibition runs until Dec. 16.
- Spring Hawes will host a virtual workshop on Understanding Ableism, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 27.
- Musician, author and artist Vivek Shraya will perform at Two Rivers Gallery in Prince George, on Nov. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. PT, with inclusive/queer crafting before and after the main event.
- A Commemorative Ceremony for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women will be held at the College of New Caledonia from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
“IWAU is a much needed opportunity to take a moment to reflect on where we, as a community, are on issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, particularly putting these ideas into action, much needed in today’s world,” said Dr. Annie Booth, Co-founder and Co-organizer, IWAU.