What to Expect?
Join Equal Voice NL and friends for an informal networking event and two guided conversations with various esteemed local women and gender-diverse leaders, led by activist and Women's Executive Network Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada recipient, Laurabel Mba.
Taking place at the St. John's Farmers Market, our first multi-partisan panel conversation is about turning frustration into action.
Laurabel will be joined by:
-
Khadeja Raven Anderson - Founder of Black Lives Matter NL, Owner of Ravensong Consulting, and 2024 CBC Black Changemaker
-
Sarah Worthman - Founder and Executive Director of the NL Queer Research Initiative, a grassroots organization that was established to develop and collect 2SLGBTQIA+ centered research in Newfoundland and Labrador
-
Jenn Deon - Founder and Artistic Director of PerSIStence Theatre Company and RBC 2023 Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award Recipient for Social Change
Followed by an interactive Q&A and a networking/snack break, we will then come back to the second portion of the panel, which focuses on moving from community action to political action.
Laurabel will be joined by:
-
Gerry Rogers - Former MHA for St. John's Centre, former Leader of the NL NDP, first openly gay politician elected to NL's legislature, international award-winning documentary filmmaker (40+ times over), and superstar who helped establish the first transition house for women facing violence through her work at the St. John's Women's Centre.
-
Shannie Duff - Former Councillor at Large and Deputy Mayor of St. John's and Former MHA for St. John's Each (both roles she held at the SAME TIME at one point!). Her many awards include the 2001 National Volunteer of the Year for Habitat for Humanity Canada, the Queen's Silver and Golden Jubilee Medals, and, in 2003, the Order of Canada for outstanding community service.
-
Sheilagh O'Leary- Deputy Mayor of St. John's, Artist, Founder of Tickle Swim for Mental Health and 2024 Municipal World Women of Influence in Local Government Award Recipient.
