On International Women’s Day – March 8th 2014 – Women in our community were honoured at a Changemakers Celebration. These amazing women were nominated by people from our community.
(Link to theGulf Islands Driftwood article)
Beth Bastien worked for the federal government in Hamilton, as a City Facilitator for the federal government’s Homelessness Initiative and was the Senior Public Policy Analyst with the Native Women’s Association of Canada in Ottawa. One of her passions included working on the Sisters in Spirit program. Beth also served on the Board of Directors of SWOVA. Her wise counsel is enormously missed. Beth died peacefully at her beloved home on Salt Spring Island, August 12, 2013 at the age of 52. The Native Women’s Association of Canada paid a special tribute to Beth on her passing: “Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is paying tribute to the life and talents of Elizabeth Bastien, a vibrant, giving and gifted woman whose voice will forever inspire those who knew her as well as those who continue to be touched by her reasoning and her prose.”
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Wendy Judith Cutler has devoted much of her life to feminism and social justice.
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Dorothy Cutting is a long-standing social activist who has dedicated her life to protecting the environment for generations to come.
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Mona Fertig founded Canada’s first literary centre in 1978 and now runs Mother Tongue Press and Mother Tongue Publishing.
Throughout her life, Dr. Margaret Fulton advocated different ways of thinking and acting that were based on equality and collectivity. “I continue to hold the belief, that a participatory-learning society will eventually replace a spectator-consumer society.” Dr. Fulton, who died in Victoria on January 22nd, 2014, put her beliefs into action. She was passionate about the education of women and wanted to open the doors and the ivory tower to women. In 1978 she became the only female president of a co-educational university in Canada. (Halifax’s Mount Saint Vincent University) She was also an adjunct professor and consultant at University of British Columbia and was involved in the establishment of a new feminist university in Loten, Norway. For her work, Dr. Fulton received 15 honorary degrees and was named to the Order of Canada.
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Working with the Salt Spring seniors’ community for the past seventeen years, Sharon Glover’s exceptional skill as a professional counsellor and trainer of peer counsellors has been a source of support for many.
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Janet Halliwell provides strong leadership for the Shared Space Initiative, the Salt Spring Arts Council, and the School for the Arts.
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Cheryl Heykoop is a passionate advocate for the rights of children. She has worked with disadvantaged children in Uganda, Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, Brazil, Thailand, and Zambia.
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As a queer, feminist political activist, community organizer, sexual healer and educator, Caffyn Jessie has powerfully changed the tone and level of engagement within the Salt Spring community.
Ann Johnston
A tireless lobbyist for better recycling policies, Ann Johnston worked with the Recycling Council of British Columbia, founded the Recycling Society on Mayne Island, and in her capacity as board member, conducted her own research and attended meetings and conferences, bringing this knowledge home to the island. She has also been very involved with the Conservancy, and remains very engaged with island issues and the community at the age of 85.
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Juliette Laing is a tireless community volunteer and social activist who has devoted much of her time to preserving the environment, and social justice for women throughout the world.
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By the age of 12, Phoenix Lazare was singing, playing guitar, learning piano, and performing her own compositions.
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Maxine Leichter is passionate about promoting democracy and protecting our environmental heritage.
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Kelda Logan is a visionary woman and a masterful teacher of children, teens, and adults who cares deeply for others.
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Anne Macey is an advocate for organic agriculture at the local, provincial, national, and international levels.
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Molly Murphy is the hard-working, intelligent, articulate, and funny founder of Mudd Girls, a collective of women builders who focus on natural building techniques.
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Sarah Hook Nilsson is the creator of Connecting Generations, which fosters mentorship between adults and youth in our community.
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Rebecca Nygard is a direct, honest woman with a lot of humour. She volunteers as a dula, runs a prenatal class for expectant mothers, and runs Graffiti Theater
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Briony Penn is passionate about nature – protesting clear-cutting as Lady Godiva, teaching science, starting a naturalist club, and writing a book about wildlife called A Year on the Wild Side.
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The Raging Grannies contribute to positive grass roots programs and take a stand against social injustice and environmental degradation, using wit and humour.
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Samantha Sanderson has worked as a family lawyer, confronting the systemic barriers that directly block women from justice.
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Marg Simons co-founded the Salt Spring Film Festival, the Salt Spring chapter of Voice of Women, the Ometepe Coffee group, the Salt Spring Trail and Nature Club, and Salt Spring Community Services!
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Sally Sunshine is an artist, activist, mother, carrier of environmental and peace banners. She is on the path of peace, and radiates that to anyone who pops in for a visit.
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Rita Thomas has been a “front lines” change agent in our health system in immunization clinics and well-baby clinics. She is also a lay priest and promoter of social justice.
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Margaret Thomson is the turkey representative for Rare Breeds Canada and keeps three different bloodlines on her farm. She organized establishing the Salt Spring abattoir.
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Christine Torgrimson served as Chair of the Islands Trust Fund Board, and is passionate about land conservation.
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As an outspoken, engaged, feminist trans woman, blogger, and activist, Chelsea Wendt shows personal courage just by living her daily life.
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Maggie Ziegler is a skilled psychotherapist, trainer, and author who works for the improvement of women’s lives and well-being in Canada and internationally.
Link to Gulf Island Driftwood Article
