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Students for Change is very excited about the 2018 - 19 school year! We would love to have new members join the team so apply now. We will begin reviewing applications this Friday, so make sure to send your applications as soon as possible if you’re interested! 

Application Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUv-XC6e223jiOt-JzOsjFZCY0C2lPrAyoT3_ZcedLuv1Y-Q/viewform 

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"When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful."

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education and women’s right activist who is the youngest person to have received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Malala is a strong advocate for education and was only 11 years old when she blogged for BBC; where she discussed the life she was living in Pakistan while the Taliban were threatening to shut down girls’ schools. She was extremely open about the right for all women to receive an education and was nominated for an International Children’s Peace Prize as well as awarded with Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize that same year.

At age 15, a Taliban shot Malala due to her open activism and growing platform. She fortunately survived and even after such a traumatic event, Malala is still a strong figure for women’s education rights. She continues to advocate to others on a global scale about her experiences and has even written a book entitled “I am Malala”. Her courage to speak proudly about education under difficult circumstances is encouraging for others to use their voice as well. She continues to be a powerful influence, especially for youth, to speak openly about issues and to make a difference in a world. 

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Happy International Women’s Day!

The feminist movement has and continues to be a difficult but, inspiring and empowering journey. Women have been historically disadvantaged and faced many inequalities; many of which are still prevalent in this modern era. However, we as women are determined to make changes. There has been a swarm of relentless and powerful movements throughout history and in recent events, of women banding together to fight for social, political, and economic equity rights that we deserve.

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate all the achievements we as women have worked towards for a more equitable and just future! From the outstanding numbers of participants in the Women’s March to the #MeToo movement; women globally are taking a powerful stance for equality. On March 8th, we recognize and appreciate the efforts that have been made collectively and individually by women. It’s a day to support other women and be thankful for all the beautiful and hardworking women in your lives.

Students for Change are proud supporters of the women’s movement – especially giving women, locally and internationally, the right to an education. We work towards promoting awareness about women’s rights and contributing to the cause by fundraising money for women’s education at home and in developing nations. While International Women’s Day is a day of celebration, it is also a powerful reminder to not only recognize the progress we have made towards equality – but to also continue it. Fight for a just future everyday and stand up and speak for the women who can’t! We must carry the movement forwards until each and every woman has an equal opportunity.

SFC wishes you a wonderful International Women’s Day!

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"The woman power of this nation can be the power which makes us whole and heals the rotten community, now so shattered by war and poverty and racism. I have great faith in the power of women who will dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the task of remaking our society."

Coretta Scott King was an American Activist and has devoted much of her efforts to civil rights, racial equality and women's rights.

Well known for her marriage to Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta created her own legacy and preserving her late husband's legacy by leading the Civil Rights Movement after his death.

She played a critical role in the founding of NOW (National Organization for Women), campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment and was part of the National Congress of Black Women.

Coretta Scott King is an empowering woman, who devoted her life to numerous causes. Despite all the hardships in her life, she had the strength to stand up and advocate for equal and just rights. Her legacy still lives on and continues to inspire women and men worldwide to fight for equality.

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[profeminist]

Two women are vying to be the first Native American congresswomen

There’s never been a Native American woman elected to federal office — yet these two are seeking to change that

“There have been many political milestones for minorities in the United States in the past decade, still Americans have yet to see a Native American congresswoman.

That may soon change. After urging women and people of color to seek public office, Sharice Davids decided to take her own advice. Now she’s running for Congress.

Davids, a 37-year-old attorney and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation tribe, hopes to be the first Native American woman elected to Congress, and hopes to win the Democratic primary in the fall. The Shawnee resident is vying for the seat in Kansas’ third district currently held by Rep. Kevin Yoder, a Republican who has held the spot since 2011.

If she were to win, Davids would be the nation’s first female Native American member of Congress as well as Kansas’ first openly gay representative. She could possibly share that first distinction with Debra Haaland, a Native American woman who is running for Congress in New Mexico as a Democrat. Haaland is running for a seat in New Mexico’s First District.

Haaland is no stranger to politics. Before announcing her congressional bid, Haaland served as New Mexico’s Democratic Party chair — the first Native American woman to chair a state party — and as the Native American vote director for President Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012. 

Read they full piece here

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“Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. It’s about freedom. It’s about liberation. It’s about equality.” – Emma Watson

 Emma Watson is a talented Award-winning actor and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador who has contributed greatly to women’s rights and education.

She has assisted in the campaign launch called “HeForShe” which promotes gender equality and has actively advocated for girl’s education by visiting countries such as Bangladesh and Zambia.

Emma has also been an ambassador for Camfed International which focuses on sending girls from poor rural areas in Africa to school, which allows for more opportunities in their communities.

She has devoted much of her time and efforts to promote feminism and education for girls globally. Her work is inspiring and she has accomplished much at an early age. Her devotion to these causes allows her to be a great role model for both women and men.

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Thank you for the great turnout at Uoft Bookshelf event! We hope that those who did come out have a wonderful time reading your new books!

However, if you were unable to make it to our book event, don't fret! On March 15th, we are holding our annual gender equity conference at Hart House. Local activists and academics will be discussing "International Barriers and Local Solutions” for women’s education. 

The event will also consist of snacks and beverages so do come out and show your support! More updates will come shortly.

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Do you have a love for feminism, books, and FREE things? 

Students for Change is excited to be holding Uoft Bookshelf – an event where we give out modern feminist books for free.

Drop by on January 22nd or 23rd, and pick up some amazing reads!

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Holiday Cheer

It’s the Holiday Season! Joyful moods and fun festivities are the theme of every December. It’s also the perfect opportunity to spread cheer by doing some good in your local community. Students for Change believes that it is important to support causes you love by taking real action. In the spirit of the season, we have compiled a lovely list for you on ways that you can give back!

-          Books are an everlasting gift. Donate used or new books that are in good condition to a local women’s shelter and show that you care!

-          But baby it’s cold outside! Canada and its infamous winters are not forgiving. Try to donate winter jackets, scarves, mittens, hats, socks, sweaters, etc. to local shelters as they are in great demand around this time.

-          Who doesn’t love a good holiday feast? Soup kitchens tend to get busy during the holiday season and volunteering at these locations are a heart-warming way to help your community. Good Shepherd Ministries, North York Harvest Food Bank, The Salvation Army, The Yonge Street Mission, The Stop Community Food Centre, and Second Harvest are just few of the many places you can choose to help with.

-          Gifts of Hope and Girl Power. At Plan International, the Gifts of Hope are donations that have a real impact. You can choose a gift and that money will go towards directly that gift.

For example, the gift of Girl Power:

“Girls have a unique ability to change the world and the lives of those around them. This gift is about unleashing that power in every girl. It’s about offering girls nourishment, education and protection. It’s about creating schools that are safe, and ensuring that girls are not forced into early and unsafe marriages. It’s about engaging boys and men to help achieve gender equality, and opening up economic opportunities to women so they can lead themselves and their families out of poverty. It’s about creating a world where every girl has the chance to harness her unique power to shape her own future and change the world.” – Plan International  

-          Spread awareness about the inequalities and injustices women face, especially regarding education. Making others aware that this is a global and local issue is crucial and your voice matters! If you are unable to physically give back, you as an individual can still make an impact by speaking out about issues you care about.

The Holidays will always be a time for good cheer, love, family, and friends. Students for Changes wishes you the best this season and we encourage you to have some fun while also giving back to your community. Have a Happy Holidays and a fabulous New Year. ❤

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Indigenous Education Week

“Education is a right, not a privilege.”

Education is our road to opportunities and allows us to realize our dreams and ambitions. However, this right is not available to everyone. Even here in Canada, a highly developed country, education rights for Indigenous communities are well below national standards. According to a report from C.D. Howe Institute; “only four of ten young adults living on reserves across Canada have finished high school.”

It is crucial to have consistent, quality, education for ALL. More efforts must be dedicated towards these initiatives because every student is deserving. Students for Change is devoted to promoting education rights and we proudly show our support during Indigenous Education Week!

Indigenous Education Week is an annual event hosted by First Nations House. The week-long event allows the UofT community to learn about diverse Indigenous cultures and celebrate their contributions to education.

The events took place from October 30 – November 3, 2017; consisting of exciting and educational events. One of the amazing events that took place invited Elders from diverse communities to share their traditional teachings about topics such as land and language.

It is important to learn about different cultures and to support these diverse groups. Regardless of differences, we are all connected by our natural curiosity to learn. Education is a right that needs to be universally accessible. Show your support and love to all communities and always try to promote equal educational rights!

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New Year

Most people mark the start of a new year with the ball drop on January 1st, 12:00 A.M, when people celebrate lavishly. However, for students, September will always be the start of the real new year. Motivation is high and goals are set, with a newfound excitement for learning. However, this is not the truth for many girls around the world. UNESCO (United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization) estimates that “approximately 130 million girls between the age of 6 and 17 are out of school.” The statement is unsettling and problematic. We must have our girls in school; there are endless benefits when women are educated. Women are healthier, there is reduced violence against women, fewer child marriages, higher incomes earned, a reduction of stereotypes. 

Perhaps most  importantly– women and girls are given the opportunity to choose what they want to do. Many girls without an education suffer from a predetermined life of hardships. Students for Change wants to change this injustice. We want to further educate the University of Toronto community about the difficulties women globally suffer from and even in Toronto are facing. With the new year, we hope you take the time to appreciate the opportunities you have as a student and use them to take action! We have a unique and strong ability to create change if we work for it. This year, we will be focusing on our Toronto roots with all of our funds raised going to supporting Sister Writes.

“Sister Writes is a creative writing and literacy program dedicated to honouring the wisdom and experiences of women in downtown Toronto. Sister Writes provides women with the opportunity to work with professional women writers, develop creative potential, hone literary and leadership skills, receive mentorship, and build self-esteem. They provide an artistically empowering and collaborative creative writing program for women affected by homelessness, underhousing, trauma, mental health issues and addictions,  and women who face extraordinary circumstances or life transitions.” – quoted by Sister Writes (http://sisterwrites.com/about/)

Assist us in our mission to support women’s education rights. Be on the watch for Students for Change events, and come and show your support! If you would like to join our general members list email [email protected] with your name, utorid, student number and email for updates or like our Facebook page!

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Samantha Power (b. 1970) is an academic and diplomat who served as the US Ambassador to the United Nations. She also held the position of Special Assistant to the President during the Obama administration, and of Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights.

She was the Founding Executive Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, as well as a Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School. Her 2003 book, A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide, won the Pulitzer Prize.

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Gender Equity and Social Justice in Education

Please join us at our 2016 conference "Gender Equity and Social Justice in Education"

We hope to gather scholars, students and anyone interested in the study of women and gender inequities in education around the world. 

Registration and more information here. 

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Students for Change Music Night.

February 11th, 2016. 

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Hello everyone! We would like to take this moment to thank you all for taking the time last night to come out and support our Music Night! We are so grateful to have such an incredible community of friends and family who support our cause. We would also like to thank the musicians who performed at the event - The Bakerz, Liz and Gracie, The Tutors, and Monroe Park.

Congratulations to our raffle winners! And to those who didn't win, you'll just have to come to our next event to give it another try!!

Stay tuned for pictures of the event.

[femsplain]

“If one man can destroy everything, why can’t one girl change it?”

Malala Yousafzai (via femsplain)