Jan. 18 marked the fourth year of the Women’s March in Calgary.
Originally started as a solidarity event with women marching in Washington, D.C., in 2017, it has grown into an event with seminars, performances, and exhibitions.
Approximately 120 people marched down Stephen Avenue to city hall where speakers addressed the gathered crowd.
Activist Izzy Stoodley was a late addition to the roster, and addressed the marchers.
Stoodley sees the event as a continuation of efforts to bring together different organizations and people.
“Feminism at its core is the opportunity for us to fundamentally question what we take for granted as a society and make something better out of it.
“It may not be comfortable all the time but it’s necessary if we want to improve in the ways I think we need as a society to survive.”
This year the organization Taking Strides facilitated a day of speakers and performances focused on uplifting marginalized groups, at the Calgary Central Library.
“I think it’s great for women of colour to be able to participate for others to see themselves represented, and having a voice.” said Ado Nkemko, a singer-songwriter who performed at the library as part of the black caucus of presenters.
“I think it’s important to have race be present in the conversation because as women we go through the same experiences with patriarchy. Within that there are differences in the challenges we face as women of colour.”
The event featured drag performers, artists, dancers, and an effort to include under-served sections of Calgary’s population.
“I have a daughter and I feel like these things are important,” said artist Adrianne Williams.
“That’s what I like to see when people give humanization to different people. When you see that you say, ‘hey, I see myself in that.’ Race is at the forefront because we need to see ourselves in our art.”
