It is said that storytelling is the most powerful way to connect with others. And YWCA Muskoka is introducing a brand new event aimed at doing just that.
On Friday, September 13, 2019 at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville, the very first She Talks Muskoka will bring together seven remarkable women to share their personal stories—stories of tenacity and grit—with a Muskoka audience.
“She Talks Muskoka was inspired by a similar event created by our sister organization, YWCA Cambridge,” explained Hannah Lin, Executive Director of YWCA Muskoka. “It’s a powerful evening of shared experiences and learning from others’ successes and challenges. You’ll hear funny stories, poignant stories and heartbreaking stories; stories that open hearts and minds—stories you’ll carry with you for years to come.”
The event speakers, or storytellers, are made up of a diverse group whose topics will resonate with a variety of audiences at every stage of life:
- Janelle Hinds: Named one of the Top Women in Technology and Innovation by Inspiring Fifty, Janelle is a leading diversity, equity and inclusion advocate and consultant who helps organizations create inclusive workforces, products and services.
- Karen Collacutt: An established expert in personal finance, leadership and empowerment leading to prosperity, Karen helps female entrepreneurs “get out of their own way” and uses her breadth of knowledge about personal and entrepreneurial finances and communication around money and business development.
- Kathleen May: Writer, speaker, survivor and activist, Kathleen is a 2018 YWCA Muskoka Woman of Distinction for Social Activism and Community Development and also received the Best Author award for her 2018 submission at the Muskoka Novel Marathon.
- Leah den Bok: A photographer about to publish her third book, Nowhere to Call Home—Photographs and Stories of the Homeless, Leah chronicles her four years travelling the world photographing the homeless and recording their stories.
- Dr. Marissa Rodway-Norman: Chief of Psychiatry at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), where she built the psychiatry program from the ground up while gradually moving toward a fuller realization of her true self. As a founding member of OSMH’s LBGT committee, she leads the charge for better health care for transgender people in her community and beyond.
- Sarain Fox: Of Anishinaabe lineage, Sarain is a dancer, choreographer, activist and television host. Sarain combines these various mediums to amplify the voices of her people in hopes of creating meaningful dialogue between her Indigenous community and settler communities.
- ShoShona Kish: Founder of Digging Roots, the JUNO-winning six-piece Indigenous band from Toronto, ShoShona has been recognized for her work internationally with the prestigious Professional Excellence Award from the WOMEX organization for her role in the ongoing revolution of upheaving Indigenous communities and their culture—using the medium of music as an agent of change, to awaken our humanity and help us connect.
In addition, renowned singer-songwriter Amy Sky will be performing two songs at She Talks Muskoka. Amy is a passionate mental health advocate and was honored with the CAMH Courage to Come Back award in 2006 and the MDAO Hero/Inspiration Award in 2009.
She Talks Muskoka is a fundraising event in support of YWCA Muskoka’s mission to champion positive change for women and girls through community-based programs and services to grow future leaders, promote education and advocate on behalf of women and girls Muskoka.
Tickets for She Talks Muskoka are $40 for adults, or $25 for those 25 and under. Tickets are available now and can be purchased directly from the Algonquin Theatre via their box office at 37 Main Street East, Huntsville (phone: 705-789-4975) or online at www.algonquintheatre.ca
If your business or organization is interested in sponsoring She Talks Muskoka, please contact Laura Sundy at YWCA Muskoka at [email protected]
All event information can be found on YWCA Muskoka’s website.
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What terrific (and long overdue) news, and what a magnificent lineup of speakers! It is to be hoped that this inaugural event is well supported; and becomes an annual (or at least bi-annual event initially). And by support, I don’t mean only women; but young girls (and mature young boys); and most importantly, men.