The Velvet Fist was a cross-country feminist paper launched in 1970 by the Toronto Women’s Caucus (TWC). As an activist feminist group open to all women, the TWC focussed on…
Pandora published for nine years between 1985 and 1994 as an alternative to the mainstream media in Nova Scotia. We focussed on the lives of everyday women, encouraging and supporting…
Velvet Fist – Vol. 2, No. 1
Topics include: Abortion Rights Campaign Ontario Equal Employment Act Book and Magazine Reviews Upcoming Events…
Upstream got its start with a notice posted at the Ottawa Women’s Centre in January 1976 . Seven women showed up to the first planning meeting. They agreed on the…
Venus with Fist
This fabric patch uses the clenched, raised fist combined with a Venus symbol to represent Feminism. This remains an iconic symbol of the women’s liberation movement.
Pink Venus and Fist
The clenched, raised fist combined with a Venus symbol represents Feminism. It is an iconic symbol of the women’s liberation movement….
Pandora – Vol. 3, Issue 2 – December 1987
…there. The ruby, the emerald green, the midnight velvet blue of them glowed richly against the grey-black, soft and wooly head. Sometimes she would reach up, too, to fmger that…
Union Woman was the newspaper of Organized Working Women (OWW). The only union woman’s newspaper in Canada, it was published regularly from 1977 until 1988. The pages of Union Woman…
The New Feminist was published by the New Feminists, an influential radical feminist group founded in 1969 in Toronto. According to the New Feminist constitution, the goal of the organization…
Violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada has only recently been acknowledged as a serious issue by governments, media, and mainstream society. This increasing attention is the result of…
…Blaak, Ryan Allen. “The Voice of Women: Gendering the New Canadian Nationalism.” M.A. thesis. University of British Columbia, 2003. Kerans, Marion Scott. Muriel Duckworth: A Very Active Pacifist: a Biography….
On April 27 in 1970, seventeen women left from the Vancouver Art Gallery in a cavalcade of cars going to Ottawa. They were inspired by the On-to-Ottawa trek of…
Abortion Caravan (1970) – Raised Fist Salute!
Women stand with fists raised at a demonstration outside the Parliament Buildings on May 11, 1970, as protesters in the House of Commons galleries disrupt the sitting.
Abortion Caravan (1970) – Raised Fists in Protest on Parliament Hill
Women wearing headscarves and with raised fists gather on Parliament Hill during a May 11, 1970 protest for abortion rights. Inside the House of Commons, another group of women speaking…
(Adapted from a pamphlet published by The Women’s Place and other sources) The Women’s Place began as a women’s centre and library at 31 Dupont Street in Toronto in…
The newsletter published by The Women’s Place (Toronto) includes articles on activities in the centre, news about other women’s groups, information on issues of concern to women, updates about…
The New Feminist – Vol. 2, Issue 4 – October 1971
…Stickers – female symbol with fist 4″x4″ Button red & white – ” ” ” ” ” Herstory Synopsis 14 page synopsis of movement – very useful to anyone interested…
In 1974, Saskatoon had two women’s centres – one downtown and one on campus – as well as a centre for lesbians and gays, an active pro-choice group, the Herstory…
Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman ) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees…
Pandora – Vol. 3, Issue 1 – September/December 1987
…4 Issues is $5. Outside Canada, $1 O, institutions $15 Please indicate if you ck> not want your name included on Oll mailing fist for women’s groups ___ _ Pandora…
Voices of Aboriginal Women: Aboriginal Women Speak Out About Violence
…I don’t want to be beaten again. I had enough blue marks from being thrown against the cupboards. I didn’t want to be beaten by his fists so that they…
…fists, and waves, and shouting encouragement for our ventures.” On the Saturday, hundreds joined the Caravan on a march through Ottawa to Parliament Hill. Angry with the limited response they…
Pandora – Vol. 2, Issue 1 – September 1986
…DEFEND MYSELF. THE PROBLEM IS ALWAYS THE SAME= AS MY HAMMER FIST CONTACTS MY ASSAILANT. MY FIST GOES THROUGH HIM LIKE HE”S JELLY. SO I HAVE TO STRIKE OVER ANO…
End the Occupation Now! WAO
This declaration of solidarity to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land was created by Women Against the Occupation and shows a woman symbol and fist superimposed on the Palestinian…
Pandora – Vol. 6, Issue 3 – June 1991
Topics include: Racism Domestic Abuse Violence Against Women Lesbians Childcare Anti-war Protest Artists Spirituality Work African women Single Mothers — INSIDE! Racism In N.S.-3 Surviving vlolence-7 Peace and war-9-11 Lesbian…
HERizons – Vol. 3, No. 1 – January/February 1985
…see Sarah putting her fist through a wall. I don’t think you show any of your feelings, just keep them inside. Sarah: Yeah, I know. It’s true. I like it…
Abortion Caravan (1970) – On to Ottawa
During a stop en route to Ottawa, members of Abortion Caravan raise fists for photo alongside Betsy Wood’s convertible with the slogan “Smash Capitalism” painted on the side panel…
The New Feminist – Vol. 2, Issue 3 – July 1971
Topics include: Feminist Critique of “The Six Wives of Henry VII Poetry Politics of Fear in the Women’s Movement Male Chauvinist vs Feminist Dialogue Book Reviews Report on Independent Feminist…
Kay Macpherson – When in Doubt, Do Both!
This button marks the publication of Kay Macpherson’s memoir When in Doubt, Do Both. Macpherson is a respected feminist, pacifist, and political activist with a long history of working for…
Kay MacPherson – NDP
Kay Macpherson, the well-known feminist, pacifist, and political activist, ran as a New Democratic Party candidate in several federal elections….
Women in Trades
This button for women in trades features the woman symbol with an upraised fist holding a wrench.
Upstream – Vol. 3, Issue 1 – October 1978
…to imply anything dero- gatory. Admitting that the posters for the band were violent (a red heart with a fist breaking through; a bloody lipstick smear imprinted on the fist),…
Lesbian Perspective served as the newsletter of the Lesbian Organization of Toronto (LOOT) and was filled with news about the monthly 342-Jarvis-Street house meetings and announcements of the cultural, social,…
Pandora – Vol. 7, Issue 4 – July 1993
…much. Lena Nielson, Halifax Pan~o111, July 1993, .page. .. 5 .. What it means to be a sensual feminist Shannon Gowans You can’t wear a crimson velvet bra at a…
Lesbian Perspective – December/January 1979/1980
…Wrapt in her dream arms, I watch our breaths mingle in clouds of passionate frost. Her cool velvet kiss revives my splendour. Lightly lilts my eyes’ Queen: “What will you,…
Pedestal – Vol. 2, No. 5 – June 1970
Topics include: Abortion Rights Labour Movements Motherhood Women’s Press Club Health Department Hospital Costs Radical Politics NDP Women Organize…
Saskatoon Women’s Liberation – Vol. 1, Issue 5 – May 1978
Topics include: Assessing the N.D.P. Women in Trades Health Prison Activism Alternate Bookstores Fuus otJ ‘Pow1ic.s . – 2 – A federal election looms near. A provincial election will likely…
Abortion Caravan Scrapbook: Labouring Under a Mis-Conception; Legalize all Abortion Now!
…to Ottawa Pregnant Woman’s Dilemma Depicted Abortion Caravan On Move. Toronto Feminists demand no restrictions on abortions CLENCHED FIST salute is. given’ by: Marcy Cohen, keft, and Dawn Carrell, Vancouver…
From 1979 to 1986, IWDC produced four issues a year of the International Women’s Day Committee Newsletter. Accompanying the organization’s name change to Toronto Socialist Feminist Action, in 1987 the…
From 1979 to 1986, IWDC produced four issues a year of the International Women’s Day Committee Newsletter. Accompanying the organization’s name change to Toronto Socialist Feminist Action, in 1987 the…
Diva: A Quarterly Journal of South Asian Women – Vol. 3, Issue 2 – March 1992
Topics include: Women’s Testimonies on Racism, Sexism, and Abuse Interview on Sexual Assault Issues Rape Laws in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan International Women’s Day Issues Resources on Sexual Assault…
International Women’s Day Committee – Vol. 6, Issue 3 – May 1984
…existence by replacing its leadership with a group consisting en- tirely of women. The ecologist-pacifist party, which holds 26 seats in the Bund- stag, replaced its 3-member parliamentary executive committee…
Saskatoon Women’s Liberation – January 1975
…the Cen~re and ‘ the movement’ to be a “radical-sqcialist” group who can only find self-expression in ±enched fi-st and o-ther “rigl}t on-11 actions and terminology. The cartoon (on pages…
Pandora – Vol. 1, Issue 2 – December 1985
…because I’m a pacifist – I don’t think I’ll ever stop. It’s not a mat- ter of stopping and starting, it’s an ongoing battle. Juscha Gmnther, Alison Murray, Megan Holtz…
On Our Way was a woman’s newspaper published in Edmonton Alberta. The issue on this website was produced by the Women’s Programme Centre at the University of Alberta. If you…
Pandora – Vol. 5, Issue 4 – June 1990
…things like ”I’m going to kill you,” or”Heman, He man, Ninja Turtle,” and imitating using swords and fists. This is not cute, and I don’t accept the argument that “boys…
Pandora – Vol. 5, Issue 1 – October 1989
…medical profession. My fists, my jaw, are clenched in outrage and instead of my natural in- stinct to defend myself, to claw out the eyes of the liars, the racists,…
Policy Statement – The Women’s Place
…a look at the operation. Everyone is welcome. Meeting time 8:00 p.m. at 31 Dupont Street. It looks as if the three Toronto womens’ newspapers, Bellyfull, The Velvet Fist, and…
The Womanist – Vol. 3, Issue 1 – Spring 1992
Topics include: women in government Aboriginal women immigrant / visible minority women equal pay discrimination equality constituion s NAFTA / Mexico farming violence against women racism pornography mental / health…
The Other Woman – Vol. 5, No. 1 – January/February 1977
Topics include: Women’s Credit Union Women’s Press Abortion Rights Women in the Palestinian Revolution Sex Work Class Oppression Native Rights Environmental Protection Subsistance Living…
Women’s Place Newsletter – Summer 1972
…three Toronto womens papers–The Bellyful, The Other Woman and the Velvet Fist–will be layed out at The Place, probably in the basement, if we can make it habitable. Considering its…
HERizons – Vol. 3, No. 4 – May 1985
…wrapped around emotions Squeezing so tightly suppress until a final straw then slowly initially but rising past the speed of light it forces out bursting through eyes nose mouth fists…
Pandora – Vol. 6, Issue 4 – November 1991
…he hit her in the chest with his fist and knocked her to the floor. He administered mouth-to-mouth resusci- tation until she regained some degree of consciousness. Then he proceeded…
The Womanist – Vol. 2, Issue 2 – Fall 1990
Topics include: Aboriginal Women Women in Prison Violence Against Women Kuwait Native Land Claims Black Women Abortion Reproductive Technologies VIA rail Quebec p Poverty and welfare child abuse / Catholic…
On Our Way – Vol. 2, Issue 2 – April 1974
Topics include: History of the Party of Labour of Albania Women and Revolution Radical Politics Working Class Politics of Parenthood Love and Sexuality Education Pornography Advertising Self-Defence Women’s Work Union…
Union Woman – Vol. 10, Issue 3 – Fall 1987
…By CAROLE COPLEA · The Toronto Star called it an “iron fist”. In a show of raw po~er, the government intro-· duced strikebreaking legislation after only seven days of rotating…
Upstream – Vol. 3, Issue 5 – May 1979
Topics include: Political Parties / Women’s Rights Prisons Childcare Labour Movements Unemployment Women and the Law Women’s Studies Immigrant Women Women in History Religion Film Theatre Alternative Medicine / Herbs…
Pandora – Vol. 7, Issue 2 – September 1992
Topics include: Pandora Trial Human Rights Lesbians Media Violence Against Women the ~· — ——· _,_— —– INSIDE All We Won! And the answer is YES (see page 2) Our…
Upstream – Vol. 1, Issue 9 – July/August 1977
…and run for help. If you are going to fight, then do so with all your effort, using feet, knees, fists, fingernails, elbows and teeth. If you are overcome, then…
Pandora – Vol. 1, Issue 4 – Summer 1986
Topics include: Immigrant Women Anti-war Protest Lesbians International Women’s Day Disability Women Artist’s Native Women Sports Divorce Law Marriage Women in Prison Spirituality Immigrant women organize network Cristina Inzunza The…
Pedestal – Vol. 2, No. 10 – December 1970
Topics Include: National Conference of the Women’s Liberation Movement Strategies in the Women’s Movement Regina Women’s Brief on Birth Control and Abortion Post Office’s Discriminatory Hiring and Wages Independent Women’s…
Union Woman – Vol. 5, Issue 3 – March/April 1982
…banks. The decision could also have positive consequences in helping to shut down union-busting seminars which focus on the velvet glove approach to frustrate union or- ganization. It is possible…
Womonspace News – Vol. 1, No.4 – April 1983
Topics include: Lesbian events and activities Lesbianism Feminism Book Review Violence against women Stories…
Pedestal – Vol. 6, No. 3 (renamed Women Can)
Topics include: Women Artists Vaginal Infections Short Story Sexist Terminology’s Role in Oppression BC Affirmative Action Plan Housewives and Feminism A Sexist Conversation Poetry New Childcare Legislation International Women’s Day…
Diva: A Quarterly Journal of South Asian Women – Vol. 3, Issue 4 – January/March 1993
Topics include: Introduction to this Humour Issue Satire on Saheban, the Relentless Warrior Women Going Topless Satiric Review of Government-produced Guide for Immigrants Short Stories, Poetry, Cartoons, Short Humourous Pieces…
Bulletin: Canadian Association in Support of the Native Peoples – Volume 18, Number 4 – Fall 1978
…she with the soft, slow smile, She with the voice of velvet and the thoughts that dream the while ,— “Whence come the vague tomorrows? Where do the yesters fly?…
Union Woman – Vol. 7, Issue 1 – January/February 1984
Topics include: Childcare International Women’s Day Nicaragua Affirmative Action Equal Pay Women need • unions, PUBLISHED BY ORGANIZED WORKING WOMEN Unions need· VOLUME SEVEN, NUMBER ONE ~8 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1984 women…
Winnipeg Women’s Liberation – March 1975
Topics include: Reflections on the Women’s Movement Violence Against Women Sexism / Politics Abortion / Law Lesbian Organizing Film / Representation Government Funding…
Upstream – Vol. 1, Issue 3 – December 1976
Topics include: Municipal Elections Abortion / Law Marriage / Career Drug Abuse Family Law Critiquing Medicine Women in Government Feminist Art Theatre Film Women in History Sports / Fitness Education…
Upstream – Vol. 1, Issue 4 – December 1976
Topics include: Education Christmas / “Mrs. Clause” Labour Movements Religion Women and the Law Menopause Music Theatre Women in History Sports / Fitness < 0 – z 0 ~ ~…
Northern Woman Journal – Vol. 3, Issue 3 – 1977
…started to get obscene gestures accompanied by furious mutterings and shaking fists, all of which we couldn’t understand through closed windows. Despite repeated pleas from myself and fellow picket- ers…
Northern Woman Journal – Volume 4, Issue 3 – May 1978
…think the one on the left is a boy because he has his fists clenched and he is the more agressive looking.” “I think the one on the right is…
Northern Woman Journal – Vol. 3, Issue 5 – 1977
…up under his nose with the heel of your hand. 8. Don’t flail your arms around. They can be grabbed. Make fists and keep them close to your body unless…
HERizons: The Manitoba Women’s Newspaper – Vol. 2, No. 4 – May 1982
Topics include: The Great Goddess Spiritual Beliefs Sexism in the Classroom Mormon Heretic The Pope Quakers Scandal in the Vatican Meta-ethics of Radical Feminism…
A Woman’s Place Publication – Vol. 3, No. 2 – June 1976
Topics include: Annual Report (1975-76) for A Women’s Place Financial Statement Poetry Reports from the National Action Committee (NAC) Conference and Lobby Letters Book Review: “Against Our Will” by Susan…
HERizons: The Manitoba Women’s Newspaper – Vol. 2, No. 7 – January 1983
Topics include: Manitoba Government Consultation Paper on Daycare Reproductive Freedom Battered Wives Welfare Cutbacks International Ladies Garment Workers Abortion Fashion and Pregnant Women Adult Workforce Training Native Women…
Rebel Girls’ Rag – Vol. 5, Issue 1 – November/December 1990
…w o r l d . The w o r d “firmness” can only be taken as his rul ing of the country wi th a dictatorial i ron fist….
Pedestal – Vol. 4, No. 6 – July 1972
Topics include: Summer Hostels in Vancouver Civic Workers’ Strike Hospital Union Book Reviews: Ethel Rosenberg, etc. Inside a Women’s Group Confession of an Employment Counsellor Childbirth Practises Study Group Women…
Pedestal – Vol. 3, No. 10 – November 1971
Topics include: Strike at Sandringham Private Hospital Women’s Conference(NDP) National Nursing Home’s Exploitation of Workers Effect on Family When the Women Has a Job Vaginal Infections Childbirth Doctors and Childbirth…
Pedestal – Vol. 2, No. 1 – February 1970
Topics include: Protest Candidate at Miss Canadian University Contest Community Education and Research Centre in Vancouver Emily Howard Stowe – First Canadian Female Doctor Social Forces and Learned Inferiority Beauty…
International Women’s Day Committee – Vol. 6, Issue 4 – September 1984
Topics include: IWDC Organizing Women in the Election Pornography Angela Davis in Toronto for International Women’s Day Native Women’s Struggle Visible Minority Women Labour Movements Central American Liberation Struggles SOB…
Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) – Protective Reassignment for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Workers
This Public Service Alliance of Canada pamphlet provides information on occupational reproductive hazards, discrimination against women, current worker protection and legislation, and union action taken by the PSAC.
Update on Proposed Conference for Black Teachers (1995)
This brief report updates progress in organizing a conference of black teachers in Toronto.
The Only Parent in the Neighbourhood: Mothering and Women with Disabilities
This paper reports results of a questionnaire distributed to 1200 women with disabilities that details the findings of women with disabilities and children. It also explores the problem of forced…
Diva: A Quarterly Journal of South Asian Women – Vol. 4, Issue 1 – June/August 1993
Topics include: Race and Class Within the Reproductive Rights Movement Sexual and Reproductive Health and South Asian Women Women of Colour and the Human Genome Project Profit and Contraception Production…
Pandora – Vol. 6, Issue 1 – October 1990
Topics include: Single Mothers Violence Against Women Food and Fat Abortion Artists t” lf . .. 1′. \ t . t i: ‘·; -•11 ~· INSIDE! Women’s Herstorles .-2 Sexism…
The Womanist – Vol. 1, Issue 1 – September/October 1988
Topics include: Black Women Racism Reproductive Technology Philippines/Filipino Women Nicaragua Women and the Federal Election Free Trade Poverty Housing Families Federal Election National Action Committee on the Status of Women…
The Womanist – Vol. 2, Issue 3 – Winter 1991
Topics include: peace / military / war Gulf war refugees violence against women reproductive technologies abortion federal budget Native women Black women Audre Lorde government International Women’s Day immigrant /…
Diva: Art & Literary Journal of South Asian Women – Vol. 4, Issue 3 – Summer 1994
Topics include: Stereotypes of Indian Women Play Script Poetry Book Review Documentary Review Shereen Denetto M J Kang Testimony of Childhood Abuse Poems, Short Story Cahoots: Theatre Project Film Reviews…
A Women’s Place Publication – Vol. 3, No. 2 – June 1976
Topics include: Annual report and meeting Poetry Report on NAC conference, issues and lobby Rape Abortion Book Review: Against our Will (Susan Brownmiller) Alberta Status of Women Action Committee –…
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