Posters

Archival Materials

“Class consciousness is…”
Undated poster of Nellie McClung featuring quote "never retract, never explain, never apologize, get the thing done and let them howl!"

“never retract, never explain, never apologize, get the thing done and let them howl!”

“Pognée?” La Technologie, Apprivoisée
In February 1988, the Toronto Black Women's Collective organized "Sisters in Struggle Building a Global Movement" with celebrated scholar lecturer and fighter for human rights Angela Y. Davis as the keynote speaker. The event was co-sponsored by many groups active on racialized and immigrant women's issues, as well as other feminist, anti-racist and progressive organizations.

“Sisters in Struggle – Building a Global Movement”

10th Anniversary Dinner of the Canadian Farmworkers Union
Poster for the 1988 3e Foire Internationale du livre féministe - 3rd International Feminist Book Fair held in Montreal.

3e Foire Internationale du livre féministe – 3rd International Feminist Book Fair

A Canadian Women’s Calendar – 1974

A Canadian Women’s Calendar – Herstory 1975

A Culture Retrieved: Yiddish Women’s Literature

A New Eaton’s Tradition: Dignity and Rights for Working Women

A Performance About Abortion: Not Your Cow For Milking

A Show of Works

A Vision in the Darkness

A-space Playing House

A.M.E.S. Women’s Health Education National Campaign
This is a poster for a public meeting on abortion rights and women's liberation held in connection with International Women's Day in Toronto. The poster also calls on women to march on IWD for legalizing Free-standing abortion clinics.

Abortion and Women’s Liberation Public Meeting (Toronto)

Affirmative Action: Making up the Difference
Poster for the book An Account to Settle, published in 1979 by Press Gang Publishers in Vancouver. It is the story of the United Bank Workers of SORWUC (Service, Office, and Retail Workers Union of Canada) and their unionizing drive.

An Account to Settle: The Story of the United Bank Workers (SORWUC)

Anarchist Trade Unions in Spain Today

Androgyny Dance
Atthis Theatre in Toronto was a non-professional group that grew around a lesbian audience and used theatre for expression.

Atthis Theatre

Ba-thari: A Black Women’s Day Celebration

Bag Lady Prosperity Dance and Benediction

Be Aware this is a Feminist Press

Benefit & Film Night Showing of “ATTICA”

Benefit Concert in Honour of FETSALUD (Nicaraguan Health Workers Association)

Benefit Dance – Nicaragua Yesterday, El Salvador Today, Guatemala Tomorrow

Benefit Dance for Prisoners Union Committee

Big Mountain Film Benefit

Boxed In? High Tech Under Control

Building Bridges in 88: Fifth Annual B.C. Regional Gay and Lesbian Conference

Canadian Labour Congress: Women’s March Against Poverty 1996

Celebrate March 8 International Women’s Day

Children: Our Hope, Your Future

Choice is on Trial Benefit

Choice: Time is Running Out

Confronting Harassment in the Workplace

Control of our Bodies – Control of our Lives

Control of Our Bodies March

Conviction: International Women’s Day, March 8 – B.C. Government Employees’ Union

Crimes Against Women

Curfew For All Men Over The Age of Thirteen Years

Dance In Canada Benefit Party and Auction

Dance with Fireweed

Dance Your Heart Away! womankind presents an evening of disco music

December 6, 1989

Diversity The Lesbian Rag: Come Kiss the Rag Goodbye

Do You Care About What Happens to Kids?

Dr. Morgentaler Speaks

Due to unforeseen circumstances, abortion will now be free on demand

Dykes on Mykes – Show Promo Poster

Dykes on Mykes: 10th Anniversary Poster (1997)

Eaton’s Boycott – May Extravanganza
This 18" x 24" poster was designed and illustrated by Joss Mclennan for the May 6th Extravaganza in support of the Eaton's Boycott and striking workers. It is reproduced here with permission.

Eaton’s Boycott and May 6th Extravaganza Poster

Every Miner Had a Mother

Everybody’s Union: United Steelworkers

Fair Pay For All Our Labour
This 1982 conference on violence against women was organized by the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre. The event included workshops, films, and self-defence, and addressed a wide range of issues related to violence, including sexual abuse and harassment, racism, forced sterilization, women in prison, lesbian oppression, addicted women, women and poverty, and more.

Fighting Back: A Women’s Weekend of Information and Action on Violence Against Women

First Mourn. Then Work for Change

Found Treasures: Stories by Yiddish Women Writers

Four Years of Feminist Video By Emma Productions

Free Health Seminar for Women
This poster is for the Friends of Choice Tribute Dinner, held to celebrate the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision and honour Michele Landsberg and Norma Scarborough for their contributions to the fight for reproductive rights in Canada.

Friends of Choice Tribute Dinner

From Honduras: Elvia Alvarado

Fuck Housework Women’s Liberation
This is the English language version of a poster the for 1993's Women's History Month celebrating the Canadian herstory of women's work and contributions.

HERstory of work: Recognizing Women’s Contributions (Women’s History Month – 1993)

Housewives And Mothers Should Be Heard. Why Not?

I intend to keep fighting as a lesbian – Susan Saxe

I’m Union

Images of Resistance: An evening of Feminist Media
This poster, and a smaller notecard, were produced and sold to raise funds to help pay costs of the 1971 IndoChinese Women’s Conference sponsored by women's liberation groups in Vancouver, including costs for the venue, food, billeting delegates, and transportation of the delegates within Canada.

In Solidarity with Our Sisters of Indochina

International Lesbian Week Kick Off Dance

International Panel of Speakers on Wages for Housework Campaign
Poster for an International Women's Day celebration in Toronto in 1978. Events included a street parade, rally and march. The evening Sappho Sound Concert featured Rita McNeil and Beverly Glen-Copeland.

International Women’s Day 1978 Feminist Celebration – Toronto

International Women’s Day 1991 – Sudbury

International Women’s Day 1992 (Vancouver) – Women Speak Out

International Women’s Day March 9 – Toronto
The poster for the 1981 Toronto International Women's Day March and Rally was centred on the power of women's unity.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1981
The 1982 poster for the annual International Women's Day March and Rally in Toronto highlighted the themes Women's Right to A Job, Women's Right to Choose, and Women's Right to Independence.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1982
The poster for the 1983 Toronto International Women's Day March and rally reflected the key organizing issue for the event: A Women's Right to a Job, to Choose, and to Peace.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1983
The poster for the annual 1984 IWD march and rally in Toronto presents the core issues for that year: peace, jobs and reproductive choice.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1984
Still Ain't Satisfied was the theme of the 1985 International Women's Day March and Rally in Toronto.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1985
The poster for annual IWD march and rally focussed on the intersecting struggles against racism and sexism.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1986
The poster for the annual IWD march and rally in Toronto focussed on the intersecting struggles against racism and sexism, including native self-determination, choice, affirmative action, employment equity, and housing.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1987

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1987
Women Unite to Fight Racism, Sexism and Economic Inequality was the theme on the poster for the 1988 International Women's Day March and Rally in Toronto.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1988
The 1989 IWD March and Rally in Toronto focussed on Women Against Poverty.

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1989

International Women’s Day Poster (Toronto) – 1990

International Women’s Day Poster – Toronto
PosterThe poster for the first mass International Women's Day March and Rally organized in Toronto for many years was designed by Barbara Klunder. The theme was Women's Liberation Now!for the first International Women's Day March and Rally organized in Toronto for many years. The theme was Women's Liberation Now!

International Women’s Day Poster 1978 – Toronto
The theme for the 1979 International Women's Day March and Rally in Toronto was Jobs and Rights for Women. The poster also shows the demands for jobs, full social services, control of our bodies, and lesbian rights.

International Women’s Day Poster 1979 (Toronto) – International Women’s Day! Jobs and Rights for Women!
Undated Vancouver International Women's Day poster featuring information day on women and work, dance and parade.

International Women’s Day, March 8 – Journée Internationale de la Femme, 8 Mars (Vancouver)
The central theme of the 1980 International Women's Day March in Toronto was Bread and Roses in the 80s - Jobs and Rights for Women. Demands included full employment rights, full support for social services, ending violence against women, a safe and healthy environment, and control of our bodies.

International Women’s Day: Bread and Roses in the Eighties

International Women’s Day: Weaver of World Rights
A 1981 poster for the International Women's Day Women's Festival Art Exhibit in Hamilton, Ontario.

International Women’s Day: Women’s Festival Art Exhibit 1981 – Hamilton
Government of Canada poster created for International Women's Year 1975

International Women’s Year – Année internationale de la femme (1975)

International Women’s Day, March 8 (Vancouver)

International Women’s Year. It’s Not A Slogan, It’s An Attitude.

Interrogating Identities: Lesbian Film/Videomakers Talk

Interval House Benefit Dance

Inuit Womens Conference – July 28th – August 2nd, 1975

It Hurts: Boycott Nationair

I’m Not Mad I’m Angry

Je Suis Syndiquée

Kinesis: news about women that’s not in the dailies

Kootenay ’74 A Status of Women Conference

Lavender Shorts – Labour Pains (1986)

Learn from the Past, Work for the Future
This is the French language version of a poster for 1993 Women's History Month celebrating the Canadian herstory of women's work and contributions.

Les femmes et le travail: Reconnaissons leur contribution (Mois de l’histoire des femmes 1993)

Lesbian and Gay Movements Under Attack
The Lesbians Making History Collective used this flyer to reach older lesbians willing to be interviewed so their experiences and struggles would be recorded.

Lesbians Are Making History
Poster for the Women and AIDS project of the AIDS Committee of Toronto. Photo by Cyndra MacDowall and Kim Fullerton.

Lesbians are talking about AIDS
This poster is for the celebration held for the 1988 release of Lillian Allen's album Conditions Critical. A well-known artist and activist, Allen received the Juno Award for Best Reggae/Calypso Album for Conditions Critical, as well as for her earlier release Revolutionary Tea Party.

Lillian Allen – Album Release Celebration

Madwoman: A Performance
This poster celebrates the 1st anniversary of the Feminist Party of Canada shows women.

Make The House Into A Home

March 2: Day of Angolan Women

March! For Women’s Right to Choose

May 27 Equal Pay Rally

May Day 1985 Information Festival

Most Parents Don’t Encourage Their Daughters To Become Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians. Why Not?

Mothers of Confederation Poster

Mount Currie Road Block

Nancy Drew Mystery World Premiere

Nidia Diaz Member of the Political Diplomatic Commission

Night Visions & Bodies in Trouble
Ontario Federation of Students poster about date rape and highlighting No means No!

No Means No!

No means No… It’s the Law
Poster for the premiere of the 1985 videotape of "No Small Change - The Story of the Eaton's Strike" presented by Emma Productions. The videotape is by Ruth Bishop, Marusia Bociurkiw, and Harriet Hum. Poster photo credit: Francine Dick.

No Small Change – The Story of the Eaton’s Strike
This evocative poster was created by Joe Rosenthal to mark Organized Women's 10th Anniversary.

Organized Working Women 10th Anniversary Poster

Pleurez-les aujourd’hui. Agissez demain.

Press Gang Benefit: An Evening’s Entertainment for Women!
Undated poster for Press Gang's "At Home" benefit, offering a Friday night to oneself at home for the price of $2.99.

Press Gang Benefit: Stay Home!
Poster for the first meeting of Latin American women held in Toronto in 1995.

Primer Encuentro Mujeres Latinoamericanas – Toronto

Pro-Choice Defense Fund: Abortion Clinic Benefit

Public Discussion: Freida Hjartarson presents “A Consideration of Hard and Soft”

Radio Feminist International

Re-Elect Estella Green
These posters were produced and posted widely throughout Vancouver, particularly on college and university campuses, to attract people to attend a benefit dance for the 1971 Indo-Chinese Women’s Conference sponsored by women's liberation groups in Vancouver.

Red Moon Rising: Indochinese Conference Benefit

Respect Your Co-Worker: Eliminate Sexual Harassment

Rise Up for Choice Dance – International Women’s Day 1984

Selma James: “Wages for Housework and the abortion movement”

Send These Lips to Houston

Service Office & Retail Workers Union of Canada (SORWUC) – Join

Service, Office, and Retail Workers Union of Canada

sex discrimination exists in the work place
This poster for "Sizzle City: women's nuclear reactions" advertises a feminist anti-nuclear guerrilla theatre performance for International Women's Day Celebrations in Toronto. The performance includes four sketches satirizing the government's lack of concern for the dangers of nuclear technology.

Sizzle City: anti-nuclear guerrilla theatre by feminists (Toronto IWD)
This powerful poster was created by Barbara Klunder in solidarity with striking workers at Eaton's seeking a first contract. It is reproduced here with permission.

Solidarity Poster for Eaton’s Strike

Solidarity with the People of Chile

SORWUC Celebration

SORWUC Legal Secretaries Unionize!

South Africa Women Speak Out: Jessica Duarte

South Africa Women’s Day – Women’s Picket!

South African Women’s Day
Poster for Stepping out of Line: A Workshop Manual and Resource Guide on Lesbianism/Feminism by Nym Hughes, Yvonne Johnson and Yvette Perreault and published by Press Gang Publishers (Vancouver) in 1984.

Stepping Out of Line: Workshop Manual and Resource Guide on Lesbianism/Feminism

Still Sane

Stop DayCare Cutbacks and Keep Small Schools Open

Stop the Violence Against Mental Patients

Sudbury Women’s Centre: “The Glass Ceiling”
This poster is for a Toronto pro-choice rally organized for October 1, 1983, by the Women's Cultural Building Committee in support of abortion choice and reproductive rights.

Support Pro-Choice Rally (October 1983)

Take Back the Night

Take Back the Night (Sudbury)

Testifying to Torture

The 4th Annual 5 Minute Feminist Cabaret (Toronto) – 1986

The Boardrooms Of Canada Don’t Have Many Women. Why Not?
Poster for The Clichettes show "Half Human, Half Heartache", a Passe Muraille Seed Show, and performed at the Horseshoe Tavern.

The Clichettes Present Half Human, Half Heartache
Poster for The Company of Sirens: Channels of Passion, an evening of performance and part of "Coming Together Again" at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).

The Company of Sirens Present: Channels of Passion

The End of the Nuclear Family

The Impact of Micro-Technology on Women and Employment

The Other Woman: A Revolutionary Feminist Newspaper

The Power of Music: Singing for Social Change

The Power of Music: Singing for Social Change – The Red Berets

The Red Berets – As We Go Marching, Marching

The Sixth Annual 5 Minute Feminist Cabaret (Toronto) – March 7, 1988

The Women are Coming: Abortion Caravan

The Women’s Constitutional Conference
After being largely shut out of constitutional discussions taking place between the government and Aboriginal organizations on the issue of Aboriginal right to self-governance, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) opposed the Charlottetown Accord reached by the federal and provincial leaders in 1992. It argued that their exclusion from the discussions was a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that they would not accept Aboriginal self-government without the equal rights of Indigenous women being protected in any new Constitution. During the 1992 round of constitutional debate the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) also took a controversial stand against the Charlottetown Accords, arguing for the need to protect the equality rights for women won in the 1982 Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In August 1992, the NAC and NWAC held a joint conference and consultation to share their points of view and discuss what action to take.

The Women’s Constitutional Conference – August 24, 1992
A poster for The Women's Place, a centre for organizing in Toronto.

The Women’s Place

The Women’s Place; meet, talk, work, plan, discover

The Women’s Centre Supports Angie Dennis for Mayor

There’s No Place Like Home

through fear into power – Feminists Examine the Right

Together with the Men, We Will Throw out the Capitalists

Unions Work for Women

United Steelworkers: Stop Violence Against Women

Upholsterers’ International Union on Strike

Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter 15th Annual Walkathon 

Vancouver Women’s Video & Film Festival
A poster for a women's rally in Toronto organized by Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW).

violence against women
This poster was for the premiere of a documentary film by Premika Ratnam and Ali Kazimi looking at the formation of the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women in Canada. The March 10, 1989, event included a panel discussion with Carol V. Cayenne, Carmencita Hernandez, Salome Loucas, Dora Nipp, and Judy Rebick.

Voice of Our Own: What Colour is the Women’s Movement?

Wages for Housework – Suzie Fleming

Western Conference of Canadian People’s United Front Against U.S. Imperialism!

Why Not? International Women’s Year 1975

Wives Supporting The Strike: Stretch your Nickel Cookbook

Women & Revolution in Central America: An Evening of Solidarity

Women and the Earth
This poster advertised an event to discuss fighting back against the attack on women’s abortion rights. The evening was sponsored by the International Women’s Day Committee and featured a speaker from Quebec talking about their recent successes.

Women Fight Back! Women’s Right to Abortion Under Attack
The solidarity benefit for striking INCO workers was sponsored by United Steelworkers Local 6500, Organizing Working Women, International Women's Day Committee, Ontario Federation of Labour, and the NDP Women's Committee. Speakers were Cathy Duhaime, an Inco striker; Joan Kuyek, Women Helping Women; and Linda Obansawin, Wives' Strike Support Committee.

Women Fighting INCO Solidarity Benefit

Women Graduates Don’t Earn As Much As Men Graduates. Why Not?

Women in Focus Looking For Videotapes By Women

Women of the Spanish Resistance

Women Producers! Women in Focus is Looking for Videotapes by Women

Women Take Back the Future

Women Working

Women’s Centre

Women’s Conference: Oct. 26-28 – U of T
A poster for a benefit performance and dance organized in 1979 by the Women's Counselling Referral and Education Centre (WCREC). The event featured Mama Quilla II

Women’s Counselling Referral and Education Centre Benefit

Women’s Issues in Election Year

Women’s Liberation and Socialism Socialist Forum

Women’s Perspective ’83 – Partisan Gallery Poster

women’s work – gallery 76

Women’s Art Auction and Sale

Women’s Centre General Meeting & Picnic

Women’s Dance

Women’s Festival – Saskatoon (1974)

Women’s Film Series Presents Salt of The Earth

Women’s Perspective Video and Performance
This poster advertises the Writers in Dialogue event held in Toronto on May 1, 1981 and sponsored by the Toronto Women's Bookstore and Women's Writing Collective.

Writers in Dialogue