Posted: Tuesday, 10 May 2011

CLC Vice Presidents Barb Byers and Marie Clarke Walker welcomed more than 200 CLC delegates to a women’s forum at the convention in Vancouver. The two officers recounted examples of how women have mobilized since the last convention. They have developed tools to challenge women’s inequality, used social media to publicize women’s issues, lobbied successfully to keep the gun registry and worked to make childcare a key issue the the recent federal election.

“Women’s working lives are a balancing act,” said Byers. “Sometimes women get to choose what they balance, and other times not.” Clarke Walker expressed a hope that the women’s energy and creativity will continue, and predicted that there will be plenty of fights ahead with the Harper government.

The forum featured cultural events that depicted women’s struggles and celebrated their militancy. Through song, dance and much laughter, the audience participated in performances by the Kayleyla Ladies Drum Group, comedian and ACTRA member Taborah (Tabby) Johnson, Kathara Canada, and The Kitchen Party Improv troupe.