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Masculinity is the theme of UNBC’s annual Inspiring Women Among Us series

The annual weeklong event kicks off Wednesday in the Canfor Winter Garden
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An IWAU event in 2018 in the Canfor Winter Garden. (via Facebook/ IWAU)

Masculinity, gender identities, gender relations and power-sharing will be the topic of discussion at this year’s Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU) series. 

The theme of the fifth annual series, organized by Dr. Annie Booth, Dr. Zoë Meletis, and Susie Wilson of the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), is Masculinities, making space and moving forward

The organizers say this years’ theme is a timely one. 

“Recently, we have seen both the rise of regressive male leaders using authoritarian and masculine-associated leadership styles, and a powerful suite of female (and ally) uprisings demanding more of society,” says Booth.

“Popular culture and its viral components, from the recent Gillette commercial and responses to overt queer feminism in the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team’s domination at the 2019 World Cup, are reflecting a renewed interest in diverse gender identities and improved gender relations,” adds Meletis. “Masculinity is also of popular and academic interest.

The week-long series of events and activities celebrating the achievements of inspiring women from near and far, as well as acknowledging persistent barriers and challenges that girls and women face in trying to succeed and build careers, kicks off next Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. at UNBC's Canfor Winter Garden. 

Events are open to all genders and everyone is welcome to attend.

Youth-friendly events are also in the program and indicated with a star on schedules found on the IWAU Facebook page and elsewhere.

Some key IWAU 2019 events include:

  • University Mentoring Community; Community Mentoring University (panel), Tuesday, Nov. 12. Noon – 1:30 p.m., Hubspace, Downtown Prince George

  • Opening ceremony & feminist T-shirt making, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at UNBC’s Canfor Winter Garden

  • Dr. Devi Mucina’s talk on international concepts of healthy masculinities, as part of the Global Fridays talk series, Friday, Nov. 15, from 12-1:30pm, in room 5-175, at UNBC

  • Rosemary Wardley, National Geographic, Mapping in a Man’s World (talk), Friday, Nov. 15, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Rm. 8-164, at UNBC

  • Tomboy – film showing and discussion with GenderOutlines, Trans Society of PG, Friday, Nov. 15, 5 – 7 p.m. Room 1-306/Cinema CNC room, College of New Caledonia

  • Feminist Storytime, Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 – 11 a.m. Books & Company

  • The Paper Bag Princess, a play by Pocket Theatre, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2:30 – 4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 17, room 1-306 at the College of New Caledonia (with support from Cinema CNC and IWAU)

  • Helen Knott book launch & workshop, In Her Own Moccasins, Sunday, Nov. 17 and Monday, Nov. 18

  • Two mentoring workshops with Shawna Dempsey of Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art (Winnipeg), Sunday, Nov. 17 (Two Rivers Gallery) and Monday, Nov. 18 (Gathering Place, UNBC)

  • Women Building: A Chance to Explore… Opportunities for Women in the Trades, Tuesday, Nov. 19, Bob Harkins Room, Prince George Public Library

  • Man 2 Man – a networking lunch, Wednesday, Nov. 20, Noon – 1 p.m., Rm. 6-205, UNBC

  • Transgender Day of Remembrance with GenderOutlines Trans Society of PG, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6 – 9 p.m. Omineca Centre for the Arts, downtown Prince George

  • National Day of Remembrance and Action, Ceremony with readings and performances, Thursday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Canfor Winter Garden, UNBC

  • Rise & Agitate Choral Sing and video premiere with local performer Amy Blanding & friends, Thursday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. UNBC Rotunda

For a full schedule of events, please visit the IWAU schedule