10 things to do at Ryerson for International Women’s Day

It’s the tail end of the term, spring is (hopefully!) around the corner and Ryerson Today has compiled a sampling of entertaining, informative and empowering events happening at or near Ryerson in March.

Most of the events take place from Monday, March 4 to Saturday, March 9 as part of Ryerson International Women’s Day programming. The Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) is co-leading a slew of talks, panels, activities and initiatives all in support of International Women’s Day for faculty, staff, students and community members to attend. Visit the OVPECI website for a full list.

Viola Desmond Awards Ceremony
Monday, March 4
Come out and applaud the work and achievements of accomplished Black women from Ryerson and the greater Toronto community at the annual Viola Desmond Awards ceremony.

An Evening with #Me Too Movement Founder Tarana Burke
Tuesday, March 5
Hear directly from #MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke, as she sits down with CBC Fresh Air host Nana aba Duncan, on the fight to advance gender equity worldwide. Co-hosted by the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) and Consent Comes First office, and co-sponsored by OVPECI.

International Women's Day Comedy Night
Wednesday, March 6
Head to the Student Learning Centre amphitheatre for an evening of laughs with Courtney Gilmour, one of Toronto's fastest rising comedy talents, and SHADE hosted by Anasimone George, a comedy troupe that represents and celebrates comedians of colour, comedians from the LGBTQ+ community, and comedians who identify as women.

The Shade of It All
Wednesday, March 6
Network with fashion influencers, professors and industry professionals, as the topics of shadeism, inclusivity in fashion, and more are discussed at this face-to-face event. Presented by the Fashion Zone and good -- form.

Basic Self-Defence Series for Women
Wednesday, March 6
This is a series taking place over four days, once a week, where skills are built upon progressively at each session to learn basic hands-on defence training.

2019 U SPORTS Women's Basketball Championship
Thursday, March 7 – Sunday, March 10
The nation’s top eight women’s university basketball teams including the Ryerson Rams will compete over four days for the national title, starting with the quarter-final on March 7 at 6 p.m. Don’t miss it! Get your tickets now on the Mattamy Athletic Centre website (external link) .

Womxn Empowering Womxn by RU Leadership & the Tri-Mentoring Program
Friday, March 8
Hear exhilarating stories from women representing various identities such as racialized women, women in STEM and Muslim women. You will learn about how they are pushing boundaries, creating change and advocating for gender equity in their spaces.

Not Here by Accident: Trans Women and Work
Friday, March 8
Trans women face multiple barriers in gaining meaningful employment. Explore how we can better support trans women to be hired and create trans-affirming workplaces. Join Kimberley Nixon, Yasmeen Persaud, Rosalyn Forrester and others as they discuss the strategies and realities of being trans women in the workplace.

International Women's Day Rally & March
Saturday, March 9
Gather your best mates, make some signs and spend a day marching in solidarity. After the march, head to the Student Campus Centre for a 35-vendor IWD Fair.

Liberating the Voices of the Unheard: Black and Indigenous Peoples at the Forefront of Activism
Thursday, March 21
Black and Indigenous bodies have been at the forefront of activism for many years, but their voices are often the ones left out of the conversation when it comes to feminism. Feminisms and Transformative Change, a speaker series co-sponsored by the Faculties of Arts and Community Services, aims to dismantle the current context of feminism and open it up to more inclusive voices.

For a full listing of events, please visit the Ryerson Today events page at https://www.torontomu.ca/news-events/events/.