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Courage in Canada
Published: June 22 2007
by Jessica DeMello
When Winnie Mandela was denied an entrance visa to Canada recently, it made international headlines. For a small group of artists and social activists in Toronto, however, it was a very personal disappointment. On June 6, Mandela and her daughter, Zindzi Mandela-Hlongwane, were the guests of honour at a private dinner celebrating "the spirit of women with passion, courage and influence," along with noted Canadian journalist, author, and rabble-rouser Irshad Manji, in Toronto. The dinner also marked the opening of an opera entitled The Passion of Winnie, composed by Bongani Ndodana-Breen and performed as part of the recent Luminato festival. It was hosted by Women's Post and Finer Foods Limited.
Despite her absence, or perhaps in some measure because of it, the dinner party was an extremely intimate affair. Actor and activist LeVar Burton took her place, as he had done the previous night when addressing the premiere audience of the opera. During the dinner, roughly 25 guests were captivated while both Burton and Manji spoke eloquently on the subject of courage, both political and private. A beautiful piece from Bongani's opera was performed by its leading lady, who charmingly interrupted herself mid-song to describe the scene.The evening was in large part about voice.
Chef Ray Bear flew in directly from Halifax with Clearwater lobster for the event. At the pre-dinner cocktail reception, under the dying sunlight on a private terrace in Rosedale, the discussion centered on a woman and a country half a world away, but in abstract terms only. Courage, they said, does not recognize justice – only injustice, wherever it may be.
Organizers of the Women of Courage dinner would like to thank the Chandaria family who were not able to participate in the event although their compassion was with us in spirit. And we apologize to those who were mistakenly given their address. Thanks to all for making this fundraising dinner for Music Noir a wonderful success.
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| Edelgard Mahant ~ professor at York University; Nadine Spencer ~ Fine Foods; and Irshad Manji ~ journalist and author |
Kimahli Powell ~ producer/choreographer and Chantelle Grant ~ singer |
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| Jean Augustine ~ former member of the House of Commons |
Chef Ray Bear |
Sarah Thomson ~ Women’s Post publisher and LeVar Burton ~ actor/author/director |
Another kind of courage was celebrated recently as well. The White Ribbon Campaign is hailed as the "largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women." The annual fundraising concert drew a healthy number of Canadian alt-rock and folksy talent to the stage of The Phoenix Club. In a bizarre turn-around, host Jian Ghomeshi looked better than he sounded, as he stumbled and rambled through some very poignant sentiments. Performers including Jim Bryson, Jill Barber, and Melanie Doane sang selected tunes by Neil Young. The hip venue and clever promotional material, along with an extremely dedicated set of volunteers, helped to raise awareness and money for a very worthy cause. Strangely though, the VIP room was empty. Sometimes the most important of causes can also be the least glamorous.
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| Kathryn Rose, Melanie Doane, and Emilie-Claire Barlow ~ performers at the event |
Todd Minerson ~ executive director of White Ribbon |
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| Jill Barber ~ singer/songwriter |
Ron Sexsmith ~ performer |
Tyler Stewart and Kevin Hearn ~ The Barenaked Ladies |
Photos by Meghan Andrews
National events for women
TORONTO, ON
June 22 - 24 - Gordon's Park on Hwy 6, on
Manitoulin
Island in
Ontario is hosting their 7th annual Women's Outdoor Weekend. An opportunity for women to camp, relax and learn about the great outdoors. Events and activities include Circle Dancing, Yoga, Ice Breaker Games, Swedish Massage, Mini Putt Challenge, Wisdom Of Our Grandmothers, Outdoor Cooking, Nature Crafts, Chickadee House, Tye Dying T-shirts, Solar Heated Swimming Pool, Heatlthy Herbs, Moonlight Hike & Wolf Howl, Campfire Socials, Open Mike, Essential Oils and Wind Up Stone Soup Lunch.
Contact Lauren Bobby, EcoTourism Coordinator at Gordon's Park by calling 705-859-2470.
rita@gordonspark.com, www.gordonspark.com
June 26 - Wired Woman Society – Toronto Chapter. Wired Woman Toronto Monthly Networking Meeting. Unleash your full potential to reach your career and personal goals in today’s globalized world. You will learn how you can combine “you” with the essence of the wired world to blow the lid off the business airwaves in communicating, connecting and creating wealth in a fun, daring and holistic manner. For more information and online registration, please visit www.wiredwoman.com. $10 from every ticket will be donated to the Merry Go Round Children's Foundation.
August 12 - Ontario Women's Keelboat Regatta. For the Genco Trophies. $50 per boat (including the skipper) and $15 per crew. This fee includes a BBQ. We also welcome “Women on the Helm” entries and for further information on this, please contact Jane McLaughlin, Regatta Chair, for more information or to volunteer your assistance. 416-698-6821 or jmclaugh@ca.ibm.com. For more info, visit www.thenyc.com/events/womensregatta.htm.
August 15 - Step Ahead Summer Reunion
Barbeque on the Patio, at The Estates of Sunnybrook 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
As a former Step Ahead participant you are invited to join other dynamic women entrepreneurs who have contributed to the success of Step Ahead Mentoring and Networking programs for over the past fifteen years.
Contact Jennifer Frank 416-410-5802 or info@stepaheadonline.com
BURLINGTON, ON
June 27 - Company of Women: The No Risk, No Gain! This program provides the groundwork of learning to plant your feet and hold your ground. Take the first step and make a bold decision! In this workshop you will learn how to, keep yourself motivated avoid procrastination, increase your self-esteem and decisiveness and much more. Don't Delay. Due to the interactive nature of this program, only 24 seats are available per session. To sign up, please call 905-815-1511 or e-mail phope1@cogeco.ca. For more info, visit www.womencandoanything.com.
MISSISSAUGA, ON
July 4 - DollarMarkers Mom Comes Home. Come out and take some joint venture actions. This meeting is intended to bring forum members together to take stock, make deals, and brainstorm Joint Venture ideas. This meeting also serves as an information session for guests because watching the Joint Venture Brokers in action is the best way to get a glimpse into the power of JVs. Have fun joint venturing with other women! Monte Carlo Inn Airport Suites. To sign up, call 647-205-8033 or email info@successwithjv.com. www.momcomeshome.com.
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