What does it mean to be a woman? Being a woman means you work twice as hard to be accepted in a STEM company. Being a woman means getting asked “who is watching the kids” when you run your errands. Being a woman means men perceiving you as being bossy when you voice your opinion.
"What does it mean to be a woman? Being a woman means you work twice as hard to be accepted in a STEM company. "
You see, FEM believes anyone can be a woman, no matter what the chromosomes say. Being a woman comes from within, and if you can find your inner woman, we believe you are unstoppable! Everyone who identifies as a woman deserves to be who they are meant to be with their head held high. Don’t you dare drop your tiara.
In honour of pride month, FEM would like to recite our main interest in uplifting and supporting women in business and especially women in the LGBTQ+ community. Did you know that more than 40% of young members of the LGBTQ+ community suffer from mental health issues? And women are more likely than men to experience depression? Therefore, we strongly believe in the importance of creating a safe space for one to explore their creativity online. Let loose and be yourself!
If you want to celebrate pride month with us, head over to the following charities for the LGBTQ communities:
1. Egale Canada Human Rights Trust
Their mission is to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQI people in Canada along with advocating to an international audience as well. Their services range from informing public policy, raising awareness to cultural change and promoting human rights through education.
2. Pride in Art Society
The association sorts to merch the diverse communities together to support artistic collaboration and celebration of the queer history and artists. The exhibition showcases the “recognition, respect and visibility of people who transgress gender and sexual norms” (Pride in Art Society).
3. Rainbow Harmony Project
The project is indeed a choir of LGBTQ+ members and allies, who are passionate about singing as a form of self-expression while celebrating diverse sexual identities. This award-winning chorus has performed in every province in Canada!
4. The Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity
They promote diversity in gender identity and gender expression nationally through education, healthcare, and advocacy. Their aim is to uplift gender and sexual minorities, as well as provide members with necessary tools to wider populations in building allyship.
We also want to encourage you to learn from the LGBTQ+ members themselves. Here is the list of online influencers you should check out this pride day:
Dr. Shante Cofield - the founder of The Movement Maestro LLC, a social-media-based company
Eugene Lee Yang - co-founder of Try Guy
Devin Norelle - a professional model, public speaker and media figure
Amber Whittington - YouTuber, host, and actress
Here is a little tip: if all of the above don’t do it for you, try to submerge yourself through the eye of a queer character.
1. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
For all of the painful abuses and heartache Celie endures at the hands of Mister, the man she’s forced to marry as an adolescent, and the violent, institutionalized racism she faces as a woman of colour, the novel teems with hope and light for the happy ending.
2. Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker
She is not accepted by her religious parents so after given a chance to live with her lesbian aunts, Zenobia’s life turns upside down as she begins her school year in a new place, where no one knew about her sexuality.
3. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
The novel tracks the experiences of a college professor in Los Angeles who suffers from depression over the loss of his partner. But George’s life turns for the better after meeting others who are suffering as much as he is.
4. Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall
The narrative follows Stephen Gordon, an upper-class lesbian who disguises themself as a man to become a novelist. Eventually, she becomes a part of a literary salon in Paris at a time when there were no overt laws expressly barring homosexuality.
We hope that you can find your next favourite book, charity or influencer through this quick summary. If you have found the woman inside you, don’t forget to cherish and let her bloom to her full potential! Happy Pride Month from our FEM Family to you.