On March 11, 2020, OWN teamed up with other equity-seeking clubs on campus to collectively celebrate IWD 2020 at Osgoode.
On Sunday March 8, 2020, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme was titled, “Each for Equal,” and centered on the notion of “collective individualism.” According to this notion, all persons are parts of a whole and each of our individual actions, conversations, behaviors, and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society. It is the notion that together, we can make change happen and create a gender equal world.
In line with that theme, The Osgoode Women’s Network (“OWN”) collaborated with several other equity-seeking clubs on campus to collectively celebrate International Women’s Day on Wednesday March 11, 2020 in Osgoode’s JCR. Those clubs included: the Asian Law Students’ Association, the Black Law Students’ Association, the Canadian Italian Association of Osgoode, the Mature Students’ Association, the Muslim Law Students’ Association, the Osgoode Feminist Collective, the Osgoode Indigenous Students’ Association and Osgoode Outlaws. Osgoode’s Obiter Dicta and the Legal and Literary Society graciously sponsored the event.
This celebration of women began with welcome remarks from OWN’s President, Rebecca Rossi, who recounted a brief history of International Women’s Day and the fight for gender equality. Following Rebecca’s remarks, OWN’s Diversity and Inclusion Offer, Sabrina Shillingford, proudly announced OWN’s newest initiative for the upcoming 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. Thanks to the support of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and Bennett Jones LLP, OWN will introduce a books bursary next year to two woman-identifying Osgoode students of financial need, titled, the “Women Supporting Women Bursary.” The fight for equality would not be possible without the support of women. OWN’s new initiative will provide financial support to women in an effort to support them on their journey through law school.
Following Sabrina’s remarks, Gabrielle Pellerin, Brittany Town, and Sarah Chiavarini spoke about the critical issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada. They called on Osgoode law students to read the Calls to Justice of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, published on June 3, 2019. They also reminded Osgoode students of the Red Dress Project displayed in Gowlings Hall, which is a visual reminder of the staggering number of women who are no longer with us, due to violence.
Once the welcome addresses concluded, Fahamida Zahan, one of OWN’s Directors of External Communications, sat down with our guest speaker, Tamar Witelson, Legal Director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. Prior to her role at the Clinic, Witelson was the Legal Director at the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children and a former staff lawyer at the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund. Witelson’s community involvement includes: being a member of the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, a member of the Toronto Police Services Sexual Assault Advisory Committee, a member of the former Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Advisory Committee, and a member of the Toronto Domestic Violence Court Advisory Committee.
With a resume as impressive as Witelson’s, there was much to be learned from her experience. Fahamida asked Witelson five questions during her discussion with Witelson. On behalf of all the event attendees, we can proudly attest to the fact that Witelson’s honesty shined through as she answered each question. For example, when asked about any barriers Witelson had faced in achieving success, she spoke at length about how she dealt with the suicide of a family member and the mental health struggles of a significant other, which occurred all while she was in law school. When asked about the hardest part of her job, she explained her answer through a story about a current case at the clinic which involved a woman who had experienced violence. Witelson’s honesty was important in bringing light to the continued need to celebrate and support women, while demonstrating that the fight for equality is not close to complete.
Following the discussion with Witelson, the night concluded with music, board games, and International Women’s Day inspired drinks at Osgoode’s own JCR. On behalf of all the clubs involved, we want to thank all of the students who attended and supported our International Women’s Day Celebration. May each of us continue to fight for equality as we move forward in our legal careers.