International Women's Day Event – YWCA Regina – Supporting Women & Families since 1910

Join us for an afternoon of celebration to mark International Women’s Day 2023

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Embracing Equity: International Women’s Day Celebration presented by RaiseHER Community and Avana invites all local advocates, supporters and champions of creating a more inclusive and equitable world for women and girls to a celebratory International Women’s Day brunch and interactive local speaker spotlight tour with all proceeds provided to the YWCA Regina.

Embracing Equity: An International Women’s Day Celebration
Presented by RaiseHER Community X Avana

We invite all local advocates, supporters and champions of creating a more inclusive and equitable world for women and girls to this celebratory International Women’s Day brunch and interactive local speaker series with all proceeds provided to the YWCA Regina.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from local women + gender-diverse individuals who have experienced and navigated inequalities, use their voices to encourage positive change, and take action to embrace equity. There will also be engaging activities at the event, a delicious brunch and cocktail reception, and endless opportunities to connect other like-minded humans.

What: International Women’s Day Brunch and Interactive Speaker Spotlight Tour

Who: RaiseHER Community, Avana & YWCA Regina

When: Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: Mackenzie Art Gallery – Agra Torchinsky Salon (2nd floor)

What will attendee’s experience?

Take part in a speaker series tour where they’ll hear inspiring stories from a diverse array of local women + gender-diverse individuals on the 2023 International Women’s Day theme of #EmbraceEquity
Participate in energizing activities that include takeaway gifts
Enjoy a brunch and cocktail reception
Engage in endless opportunities to connect + collaborate with other like-minded changemakers in the community
Demonstrate active allyship of local women + girls with all event proceeds going to the YWCA Regina’s areas of great need including housing and supportive programming

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.

Apply for a Sponsored Ticket

In keeping with the theme of #EmbraceEquity, creating an inclusive event experience that is accessible + attainable to all is important. As a result, we are providing individuals and students who unable to afford an event ticket access to apply for a fully sponsored ticket to free of charge thanks to generosity of others in our community.

Click Here to Apply for A Sponsored Ticket

RaiseHER Community
RaiseHER Community is a local, inclusive, for-impact, intergenerational movement created by two Regina-based mother-daughter duos who are passionate about women raising women to become leaders in our community. By partnering with women-focused non-profits, organizations and initiatives, and providing its membership base with opportunities for collaboration, insightful conversation and leadership skill development, RaiseHER Community empowers women to tap into their leadership potential, progress past barriers and experience the collective impact of what raising others up does for a community.
Avana
Avana is a female-led, Saskatchewan-based real estate development and property management enterprise with a deep-seated commitment to the communities in which it exists. The enterprise passionately works to break down barriers in an effort to uplift and support women to reach their fullest potential. Through this passion and commitment, Avana carries out extensive charitable initiatives, and dedicates focus and resources to organizations within the community that are aligned to their purpose of supporting women and families.
YWCA Regina
YWCA Regina is dedicated to igniting the equitable inclusion of women and families. Right now, more than ever, families rely on the YWCA to be their trusted advocate in addressing the most complex issues faced by women in the community. YWCA Regina believes that through the provisions of childcare, shelter and housing, supportive programming and outreach, women and families will realize their full potential to the benefit of the entire community. YWCA is committed to a community where all women and children have their basic needs met. They offer this support through the Isabel Johnson Shelter, My Aunt’s Place, Kikinaw Residence, four children’s homes, three licensed child care centers, and extensive programming, outreach and support services.

Meet our Incredible Speakers

Raiha Shareef (she/her), Gender Equity Advocate

Raiha Shareef (she/her) is the founder and President of the University of Regina Champions of Change club, a student-led organization that works to combat systemic gender inequality in her community. Raiha’s focus is on reproductive health equity, racial justice, and youth leadership. Most notably, her club led a menstrual equity campaign on campus and secured 12 dispensers of free pads and tampons at the University of Regina. She has also spearheaded the launch of the “She’s Here: Owning the Table” mentorship program with the help of RaiseHER Co. to connect and build the confidence of female leaders in Regina. Passionate for storytelling and educating, Raiha was the youth spokesperson for P&G Always and Plan International Canada’s Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign, educating Canadians across the country on menstruation, breaking the period stigma, and body autonomy. From the power of collaboration, Raiha champions transformative gender equality in her community and beyond.

@uofrchampionsofchange
@raihashareef

Vibya Natana (she/her), Non-Profit Professional

Vibya Natana (she/her) was raised on Treaty 4 Territory in Regina, SK and is South Sudanese-Canadian. As an active community member and non-profit professional with a social work background, Vibya’s commitment to mobilizing passion to create social change developed from her ongoing personal journey of pursuing this in every capacity. She currently works as a community development social worker, advancing the missions of several organizations both professionally and as a volunteer.

Vibya is passionate about supporting individuals marginalized on the basis of racial/ethnic discrimination — with a current focus on youth development. Currently, Vibya’s advocacy spans three primary domains: interpersonal connections (amplifying voices + building meaningful relationships), consciousness-raising (supporting efforts to bring awareness to social issues), and developing inclusive systems (lobbying and more). She has both facilitated and participated in speaking engagements for diverse groups, including the Prairie Valley School Division, the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, Truly Alive Youth & Family Foundation, and the City of Regina.

Vibya volunteers primarily with the South Sudanese Youth of Canada to advocate for youth in the South Sudanese-Canadian community by focusing on the following core areas: connection, cultural learning, and both personal and professional development and is also a Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the youth-led organization, Black in Saskatchewan, whose mission is to contribute to the holistic growth of the Black community in Saskatchewan by addressing systemic issues, connecting members to various networks, and educating on Black experiences.
Vibya is proud to consistently learn and collaborate with innovative girls and women of diverse backgrounds across all of the initiatives she contributes to, whom she considers some of her greatest teachers!

@vibyanatana

Alicia Morrow (she,her), Chief Visionary Officer, The Comeback Society

Alicia Morrow (she/her) is a Cree woman from Peepeekisis First Nations located on Treaty Four Territory. She is a mother to one. Alicia is the founder and CVO of The Comeback Society an Indigenous-led not-for-profit organization focused on amplifying Indigenous voices and culture by promoting food sovereignty, cultural programming, cultural collaborations, land base education and education and training.Alicia completed her Bachelor of Arts, Major in Indigenous Studies and Certificate of Reconciliation from the First Nations University of Canada in 2020. In 2022, she completed her Indigenous Entrepreneurship Certificate from Carleton University.Alicia’s passion is working for the community and building relationships. She also holds a 6-year term as a community trustee for Peepeekisis Cree Nation.

@leeshmorrow
@thecomebacksociety

Nicole Cook (she/her), Associate CEO at Cowessess First Nation - Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge

Nicole Cook (she/her) is a Cowessess member + grew up in Prince Albert, SK. Growing up, she experienced an abusive environment with many traumatic hardships; however, despite these challenges, Nicole chose to push forward + work hard to become the first person in her family to graduate from high school + a post-secondary institution where she studied nursing.

Today, Nicole is the Associate Chief Executive Officer for Cowessess First Nation’s Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge to help her home reservation assert jurisdiction over their children. Her passion for all children has led her to help with the development of a new model of care for prevention + intervention, + to help families improve the future of their children. She wants to stop the cycle and help the world see that children are the future.

Nicole is currently taking her Master’s in Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Queens University Kingston ON + was also a graduate from Saskatchewan Institute of Health Leaders in 2011, Certified Coaching from Destination Leadership Inc, Early Childhood Certificate from SaskPoly, Certified facilitator for ColourSpectrums Personality Styles + a proud recipient of the CBC Future 40 Under 40 Award for Saskatchewan in 2016.

Lori Campbell (she/her), Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Regina

Lori Campbell (she/her) is a 2-Spirit Cree Metis with family roots at Montreal Lake Cree First Nation, Treaty 6 territory. She is an intergenerational survivor of the Indian Residential School system and a child from the Sixties Scoop generation. Over a span of 25 years, she located not only her birth mom but all 6 of her living siblings who were scattered across several provinces. Lori has made it her career advocating for social justice and working towards a more equitable society for all. She started out working with youth, later in the area of public housing and then became a victim services worker before moving into post-secondary. Most recently, she was a federal candidate in the 2019 election. Now, with over 13 years of progressive leadership with contributions to student services, academics, research and administration, Lori is an experienced leader in education with a proven track record, particularly in advancing processes of Indigenous excellence reconciliation, and decolonization. Lori holds two undergraduate degrees (Indigenous Studies and Psychology), a master’s degree in Adult Education and a Ph.D. candidate in Social Justice Education. She currently holds the position of Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Regina.

@campbell_in_treaty4

Kerry Benjoe (she/her), Journalist

Kerry Benjoe (she/her) from the Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation in Treaty 4 territory is a long-time journalist. She worked for the Regina Leader-Post and CBC Saskatchewan before moving to Indigenous news. Kerry is the president of Eagle Feather Media and the editor of Eagle Feather News — Saskatchewan’s only provincial Indigenous Newspaper. Kerry is also a survivor of the Canadian Indian Residential System, having attended the Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School in Lebret.

Speak Series Topic: the brown girl battle
Kerry will be doing a creative piece on what it’s been like to grow up in a world where Indigenous women not only have to battle stereotypes and fetishism, but cycles of dysfunction and trauma based on real-life experiences.

@kerryberryxox

Desiree Ates (she/her), Connector + Creator

For over 10 years, Desiree has been a noteworthy leader in the Regina community. Her passion for leading people traces back to her pre-professional days when she led her student body as the SRC President in her senior year. Thinking back, this may have been a foreshadowing moment for her professional career as the President of Munz Media. Throughout all of her endeavours, Desiree has found out she is a connector, a creative and a leader.
Desiree has always had various touchpoints throughout the community and is known for her multifacetedness. She has contributed her talents to projects of all types, like coaching for the University of Regina Women’s Volleyball team, leading Lawn Summer Nights – a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, being “that wheelhouse instructor,“ as well as co-hosting The Big Breakfast Show for Big Brothers, Big Sisters Regina & Area.
Whether it’s leading people through their professional journey or leading them through an indoor cycling class, Desiree seeks connection and camaraderie above all else. She firmly believes that we all have a story waiting to be told, but we must be willing to write and rewrite to get to the storyline we want.

Follow Desiree on Instagram at @desireeates

Anastasiia Sheichuk (she/her), Inclusion Consultant & Engagement Strategist

A few years ago, one unexpected connection brought Anastasiia a chance to co-develop LeadHERalliance, a mentorship program for women. This project became the catalyst for her passionate dedication to women’s empowerment. Since then, Anastasiia wrote a thesis exploring best practices of inclusive policies to foster women’s representation on municipal councils. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities was a partner for this research, and the results were used to empower their Canadian Women in Local Leadership project.

After completing her Master’s in Public Policy degree, Anastasiia became a consultant with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and led a project to advance gender parity in municipal councils of Saskatchewan.

Anastasiia is a proud Ukrainian. She is both a mentee and a mentor with like-minded amazing women who believe in the power of small everyday acts of solidarity to support all women.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasiia-happy-to-connect/

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Are you interested in sponsoring this event?

CONTACT US
RaiseHER Community: hello@raiseherco.com
+
Nicki Ackerman: NickiA@ywcaregina.com

YWCA Regina
1940 McIntyre Street, Regina SK S4P 2R3
Email: ywcaregina@ywcaregina.com
Phone: 306-525-2141 | Fax: 306-525-2171

CHARITABLE REGISTRATION #10822 7950 RR0001

YWCA Regina Inc. is accredited under the Imagine Canada Standards Program.
The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under license by YWCA Regina Inc.

Staff Portal

Join us for an afternoon of celebration to mark International Women’s Day 2023

Embracing Equity: An International Women’s Day Celebration Presented by RaiseHER Community X Avana

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Apply for a Sponsored Ticket

Meet our Incredible Speakers

Embracing Equity: An International Women’s Day Celebration
Presented by RaiseHER Community X Avana