Nneka is an advocate who works with government and other organizations to eradicate violence against women. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Centre for Social Justice, also known as the WomenatthecentrE, our unique non-profit organization that was created for women survivors of gender-based violence, by women survivors. Nneka develops and delivers training to various agencies and organizations that promotes better understanding of the issues, and focuses on personal and political advocacy for women survivors, as well as on ways to engage men and boys in the initiatives to eradicate violence against women.
"It’s critical that those with the lived experience be the ones at the centre of social policy and reform. We must leave the shame behind and focus on ways to empower ourselves, our children … our society as a whole, to understand that violence against women, in any shape or form, is not acceptable. So we use our personal tragedies as a way to change the world – for the better."
Nicole has completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Ryerson University, completing her practicum with WomenatthecentrE. Her work includes community development, policy analysis, and advocacy work in the areas of gender-based violence, mental health and addictions, and homelessness. Nicole was recently introduced to art as a tool for resistance and social change, which has inspired her to incorporate photography into her major researcher paper (MRP) on embodied representations of women’s resistance and strength within the context of gendered violence.
“It is imperative to not only recognize and understand the multiple, intersecting systems that oppress women, but it is equally, if not more important to highlight the ways in which women resist oppression. We need to centre strategies of resistance to create opportunities for survivors to confidently exercise power in ways that shift how people, including themselves, think about violence against women.”
Shirley is a Registered Nurse. She has a Masters in Education, in Psychology and Community Development from the University of Toronto. For over fourteen years, she contributed to the care of survivors of interpersonal violence in her position as Manager of the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre in Scarborough. She was presented with the Community Service Award by the Ontario Medical Association in 2010.
Prior to this she worked with the perpetrators of sexual violence in partnership with the forensic treatment community, assessing and monitoring offenders reintegration into the community.
Janet is a social worker, a survivor of gender based violence, and an advocate for social justice. She holds a diploma in Child and Youth Work with Honours from Humber College. Janet also holds a Bachelor of Social Work from York University and is currently a candidate for Master of Social Work from York University, ready to defend her dissertation on Anti-black Racism and Canadian Child Welfare.
“Once you know a thing, you can't unknow it.”
Amanda is currently completing her Bachelor of Social Work at Ryerson University. Within her studies, she is particularly interested in examining the intersections of fatness and gender; the impacts of familial and intimate-partner violence; and the ways in which dominant power structures such as Whiteness, sexism, and heteronormativity are enacted through our current legal system.
“The word ‘survivor’ is more than an individual identity. It is a political term. Although at times we may feel like victims, what should be highlighted is our continued, collective survival. This isn’t about one woman, it is about all of us, as survivors, taking up an identity of empowerment.”
Alison has completed her Master of Arts - Criminology and Social Justice (MA) at Ryerson University and finished her practicum with WomenatthecentrE. She has experience working in the areas of gender-based violence in both the US and Canada, and strongly believes in addressing root causes of violence from a multidimensional perspective.
Emily is currently completing her final semester at the University of Ottawa, completing a Bachelors of Social Sciences in Conflict Studies & Human Rights with a Minor in Criminology. She is a volunteer at WomenattheCentrE, hoping to deepen her understanding of intimate partner violence and to advocate on behalf of the many survivors. Always having a keen interest in the pursuit of justice, Emily has worked with and for various marginalized, silenced, or vulnerable populations. Emily hopes to contribute to and learn about policy changes that can harness the potential for systemic and long-term changes to uplift women everywhere.
“It is critical that those of us whose circumstances have afforded us the privilege of being unknowledgeable or silent about oppression to commit to actively listening, learning, and uplifting the voices that have been oppressed. Given the platform, imagine how loud the voices can be and how impactful they will be for generations to come."
Gracia is a Sociology student in the University of Montreal after recently graduating college in the Social Sciences college program. She holds solid experience in the health industry as well as with individuals experiencing mental health challenges. She has worked with survivors in a variety of contexts, environments and situations, enabling her to deepen her capacities in intervening in different atmospheres and adapting her approach to meet survivors' tailored needs. Gracia's passionate, detailed attention towards social justice and equality has motivated her to get strongly involved in social movements and organizations alongside her relevant studies.
“Social representation of gender and social status advertised on television and on social media should be globally known for its alienating effect on social actors' minds, socially influencing individuals to accept a social culture thus integrating stereotypes, discrimination, racism and sexism in society. In order to deconstruct social standards implemented since decades, it is crucial to implement deep changes and modifications within the 4th political power (Media and television) to encourage social development, political advances and social justice and equality."
Diamond Antwi-Mansah is a placement student currently completing her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Ryerson University. Diamond is dedicated to supporting survivors of gender-based violence and has experience in working in the VAW shelter system as a support worker. Diamond is passionate about working collaboratively with advocates and survivors in achieving their desired goals, building their autonomy, and supporting them in becoming self-determined and empowered. Diamond is interested in advocacy, counselling, and supporting client-centred programs and services!
"Never underestimate what women can accomplish when they stand together." -Natalie Frankeinspiring
Sophie Ogbe is in her second year in the Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor program at George Brown College. She has a passion for creating curriculums around violence prevention from a feminist anti-oppressive lens. She sees art as a tool for healing and empowerment for individuals who have experienced violence. She is completing her final placement at WomenatthecentrE.
"This work is important to me because survivors of violence deserve to not just live but to thrive and have a community to back them up!"
Shakila holds a diploma in Social Service Work (SSW) from Seneca College. Thereafter, she pursued her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at York University where she completed her practicum with WomenatthecentrE. Shakila is very passionate about social justice, socio-legal studies, and human rights issues. Shakila continues to engage in personal, political and social advocacy and aspires to create a safer and more accountable space for survivors of gender-based violence.
“Freedom cannot be achieved unless the women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression” -Nelson Mandela
Jessica is finishing her Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology at Ontario Tech University
(formerly UOIT) and is passionate about creating change in both the community and within the
government. After completing her diploma at Centennial College in Addiction and Mental
Health Work, she began working front-line in the field of addiction and concurrent disorders.
Over the past several years, Jessica has since focused her career on working with survivors of
gender-based violence, human trafficking, and program development. She is known for her
strong advocacy abilities, compassion, and work on policy in the mental health sector.
Jessica is from Garden River First Nation. Jessica is a knowledge carrier of human trafficking since getting justice. Jessica's visions are to end MMIW, the Indian act, stop our people on turtle island from straying for sacred way of life, and to get justice. Today Jessica tells her story internationally.
“Silence is violence and we must idle no more.” -Jessica Desmond
Kelsy is a recent Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) graduate from Dalhousie University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University, with a History major. She has experience volunteering and working as an accomplice in various social justice efforts, including food security initiatives, promoting family well-being during health crises, eradicating gender-based violence, and promoting accessible spaces and programming. She is passionate about collaborative and transformative social justice research, service, and policy development and delivery, with a focus on collective care, community accountability and system culpability.
