An inside look from our Manager of Marketing and Communications experience at the YWCA National Members Association meeting this past week:

Last week I was privileged to travel east, with two of my YWCA Calgary colleagues to the YWCA National Members Association Meeting in Shediac, New Brunswick. Those three days have me reminiscing a little – having lived on the east coast briefly as a child – and considering the different references I’ve found over the years to the concept of a ‘movement’.  Something I have heard referenced several times this week.

As a child of the late ’60s and early 70s, my understanding of the ‘Women’s Lib movement’ was limited. I do however recall my divorced mother, who had two bachelor degrees and a full time teaching job quite angry at being told by a department store that she couldn’t have a credit card without a man to sign as guarantor.

Mid to late ’80s brought the ‘Green movement’ to the attention of a young west coast woman and I was quick to help defend BC oceans, fisheries and old growth forests – and admit to having linked arms to form a human chain in front of a 500+ year old Douglas Fir tree threatened by chainsaws.

In the ’90s and early 2000s the ‘movements’ I connected with focused on a National Child Care initiative and standardized education systems. Now, about to enter my 5th decade I have come full circle to the 21st century version of ‘Women’s Lib’ – intersectional feminism – and the YWCA – with a greater understanding and deep connection.

Last week I listened and spoke to many passionate and intelligent women and men who believe in achieving equity and safety for women and girls. I have come to understand that a ‘movement’ is about empowering yourself, and others to speak out and take actions on something you believe in.

Recently, I heard someone say “empowered women empower women”. After this week, I would suggest instead “empowered people inspire positive change.”