BIWOC

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which the Unifor Local 2002 Office is located is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

In particular, we acknowledge the territory of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples; the land that is home to the Metis; and most recently, the territory of the Mississauga's of the Credit First Nation who are direct descendants of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, these lands are home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples.

We respectfully acknowledge the ancestral homelands in other provinces whose territories we may be meeting from today.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to be learning, organizing, and working on traditional lands and by doing so, give our respect to elders both past, present and future.

Unifor Local 2002 Black, Indigenous and Workers of Colour (BIWOC) Committee has been established to:

Promote Inclusivity where members who represent themselves as BIWOC feel valued, respected and safe to be their authentic self,

Promote Equity where members are treated fairly and impartially,

Promote Social Justice where BIWOC members should have equal opportunity which is fair and free from Bias, equal treatment which is free of prejudice, fair and proper administration of laws which are free of any form of discrimination and overt racism.

United under the principles and leadership of Unifor Local 2002, the committee will fight and seek to achieve fairness for BIWOC members.

We will strive to engage the members in our fight against any form of discrimination and racism and will spread this message to our workplaces, the other Unifor Locals and the society at large.

BIWOC International Women’s Day 2026: Sharing Our Stories, Celebrating Our Power

International Women’s Day is a global moment to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and leadership of women everywhere. For the BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, and Women of Colour) community, however, it is also an opportunity to do something deeply meaningful—share the stories of the women who inspired us from our own cultures, countries, and backgrounds.

For 2026, the BIWOC Committee wanted to create a space where members could highlight incredible women from their heritage—women who broke barriers, challenged injustice, and made lasting contributions to society. The question posed to members was simple but powerful: Who is a woman from your country or cultural background who has made a significant impact for women, and why does her story matter to you?
Representation matters. When we see people who look like us, who come from the same communities and experiences, achieving greatness, it reminds us that we too can accomplish incredible things. Sharing these stories allows us to see ourselves reflected in leadership, courage, and change.

By opening the floor for members to share stories of their heroes, the BIWOC community created an opportunity for collective learning and cultural exchange. Too often, global conversations focus primarily on the social and political impacts of the Western world. While there are certainly remarkable Canadian women who continue to influence and transform society, International Women’s Day for us is also about looking beyond our immediate surroundings and recognizing the powerful contributions of women across the globe.

The BIWOC community believes in learning from one another. By sharing our cultures, histories, and role models, we expand our understanding and inspire more voices to say: “I too can make an impact.”
The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 was “Give to Gain,” encouraging a mindset rooted in generosity, mentorship, and collective action as pathways toward gender equality. Similarly, the United Nations theme— “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls”—calls on communities worldwide to continue advocating for equal rights and opportunities.

Many of the countries represented in our shared stories are places where women’s rights came much later than in other parts of the world. Yet the progress achieved through courage, activism, and determination demonstrates the resilience of women everywhere.

Chile – Progress in Women’s Rights
In Chile, women’s political rights evolved over several decades. Between 1931 and 1934, women were granted the right to vote in municipal elections. In 1949, legislation allowed women to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections, and by 1952 women were voting in national elections for the first time. Later milestones include the legalization of divorce in 2004 and the election of Chile’s first female president in 2006. In 2020, legislation was passed to ensure gender-equal representation in the country’s constitutional convention.

Philippines – Women in Nation Building
Women in the Philippines gained the right to participate in political life in 1937 through a national plebiscite. The 1935 Constitution laid the foundation for women’s suffrage, while the 1987 Constitution explicitly recognized the role of women in nation-building and affirmed equality before the law. A major milestone came with the Magna Carta of Women (2009), a landmark law aimed at eliminating discrimination and empowering women across society.

Trinidad and Tobago – Expanding Rights and Recognition
In Trinidad and Tobago, women were granted the right to vote and stand for election in 1946 under British administration. During the 1980s and 1990s, activism—led by advocates such as Clotil Walcott—helped advance labour and economic rights. In 1982, minimum wage protections for domestic workers were introduced, along with maternity leave provisions. The Succession Act of 1981 strengthened women’s property rights, and the nation later ratified international conventions such as CEDAW and the Belém do Pará Convention to address discrimination and violence against women.

Jamaica – From Resistance to Leadership
During the era of slavery, enslaved women resisted oppression in countless ways—protecting their communities, asserting autonomy, and sustaining cultural traditions. One of the most celebrated figures from this period is Nanny of the Maroons, a revered National Heroine.

Women in Jamaica gained limited voting rights in 1919 and full adult suffrage on November 20, 1944—making the country an early adopter of women’s suffrage within the British Empire. Iris Collins became the first woman elected to Parliament in 1944, followed by Rose Leon, the first woman appointed to the Cabinet in 1953. Later, Portia Simpson-Miller made history as Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister, serving from 2006–2007 and again from 2011–2016.

International Women’s Day reminds us that across the world, women have faced barriers, discrimination, and doubt. Time and again, society has told women that they do not belong, that they cannot lead, and that they cannot handle the challenges before them. Yet women everywhere have stepped forward and said clearly and confidently: “No—I belong here.”

As members of the BIWOC community, our responsibility is to continue making space for one another—uplifting each other, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other on the journey toward achieving our goals. By celebrating our collective achievements and honoring the women who paved the way before us, we inspire the next generation to rise even higher.
Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day with gratitude, pride, and determination.

Thank you to the BIWOC Committee for creating this space to share our stories, celebrate our cultures, and honor the powerful women who continue to inspire change around the world.

Click below for inspiring biographical stories of women:

Yolanda Cornwall
BIWOC Committee Chair

BIWOC COMMITTEE

Yolanda Cornwall, Chairperson

Leanne Sookram, Co-Chairperson

Astraea Sam, Secretary

David Olawale, Liaison to the Executive Board

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY

Unifor is proud to celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples’ diverse and enduring culture, history and achievements. Members are encouraged to take action June 21 by calling on the federal government to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

ZOOM/VIRTUAL BACKGROUNDS

Every Child Matters

Indigenous History Month

The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is a registered Canadian charity, dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black History and heritage.