The Calgary Central Library and participating Calgary organizations invite you to register for the second virtual lunch hour giving a platform to the individuals working to break education barriers in Calgary and the global community.

The speakers are Calgary womxn who are working to ensure access to education opportunities for Indignenous and Black post-secondary students in Calgary, and looking globally to womxn and girls denied access to education. They will discuss ways to avoid tokenism and explore collective responses in breaking barriers to education.

Michelle Fournie is a proud member of Metis Nation of Alberta Region 3, and a second generation immigrant. With a background in anti-oppressive communications, Indigenous social work, and currently working toward an Indigenized Master of Education degree at University of Calgary, Michelle serves Indigenous students at Bow Valley College as the Manager of the Iniikokaan Centre. Michelle is a recent recipient of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 and is the co-chair of the Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary.

Ganiyat Sadiq, Ornela Thieba, Karen Harrison and Bohlale Bam (Lloyd), Board Members of the Black Inclusion Association formed the Association in order to achieve equity and social justice for all Black Calgarians. Currently, they work to provide bursaries to post secondary students to reduce barriers to education.

Murwarid Ziayee, Senior Director, Canadian Women for Women In Afghanistan has worked tirelessly for the rights of girls and women to obtain an education. In August 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan and Murwarid saw the rapid deterioration of the work so many had done over the past decades to ensure women in Afghanistan could participate in all walks of life.

To register for this event visit International Women’s Day: Education Barriers and Opportunities Tickets | Eventbrite

To view other events in this series visit International Women’s Day: Three Part Series | Eventbrite