Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network

Breast Cancer Awareness: Empowering Women of Colour Breast cancer affects all women, but women of colour often face unique barriers in accessing information and care. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s encourage each other to be proactive about breast health and screening! Here are some steps and tips specific to Canadian women of colour: 1. Know Your Risk Factors Family history, age, and lifestyle choices can increase your risk. Women of African, Caribbean, and South Asian descent may have unique risk profiles; talk to your doctor about personalized screening recommendations. 2. Get Regular Screenings Mammograms are essential and are recommended every two years for women aged 50-74. Talk to your doctor about starting earlier if you have a family history or other risk factors. Breast Self-Exams can help you become familiar with your breast tissue. If you notice any changes, speak with a healthcare provider. 3. Access Local Screening Services In Canada, many provinces offer provincial breast cancer screening programs that are free and accessible to women in the eligible age range. If you’re concerned about language barriers, ask about translation services or seek support from community health centres that offer culturally sensitive care. 4. Overcome Common Barriers Lack of information, fear of diagnosis, and mistrust in healthcare can prevent screenings. Connect with culturally relevant organizations or local groups that support women of colour in navigating healthcare. 5. Connect with Support Networks Community support can make a difference. Reach out to women’s health networks or organizations like the Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network (CWCLN) for resources towards the appropriate information and spaces where you can get support. Your health matters! Spread the word to empower and uplift each other as we take charge of our breast health together. 💕

On this Global Peer Support Workers Day, we come together to honor the incredible individuals who serve as lifelines in the mental health community. Your compassion, resilience, and commitment to lifting others up in their toughest moments make a lasting difference. Through your support, you not only inspire hope but also help pave the way to healing and empowerment. Today, we celebrate your vital role in creating stronger, more connected communities. Your work is truly transformative, and we deeply appreciate everything you do. Thank you for being the pillars of strength and unity in the journey toward mental wellness.

Black Girl Day Off.... Black Girl Day Off is celebrated every year on October 11. This special day follows World Mental Health Day, highlighting the significance of mental health, particularly for Black women. It encourages Black women to take a mental day off to focus on their emotional well-being. It addresses the impact of stress as a precursor to chronic illnesses like heart disease, breast cancer, and more. Stress, compounded by racial and gender discrimination, can lead to a cycle of health and socioeconomic disparities. That makes this day crucial for awareness and self-care. Why We Love Black Girl Day Off revolves around its core values of self-care and celebration of self and community. Black Girl Day Off was founded by Tomeka Casanova Learn more about Black Girl Day Off: https://lnkd.in/eY_rDn5K

🌿 World Mental Health Day: Prioritize Self-Care 🌿 Today, on World Mental Health Day, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the importance of self-care in maintaining our emotional well-being. Self-care is not a luxury; it's essential for our mental health. Whether it’s a walk in nature, journaling your thoughts, or simply taking five minutes to breathe deeply, every little act of kindness towards yourself matters. 💚 Remember, taking care of your mental health isn't selfish. It’s a step toward being your best self—for you and those around you. Prioritize rest, set boundaries, and nourish your mind with positive influences. 🌸 Today, ask yourself: What does my soul need right now? And give yourself permission to listen. You are worth it. 💫 #WorldMentalHealthDay #SelfCare #MentalHealthMatters #NourishYourMind #PrioritizeYou

Happy World Teachers' Day! Today,(October 5th) we celebrate the remarkable role of teachers in shaping lives, opening doors, and empowering minds. Teachers are more than educators—they are mentors, champions, and lifelong guides who spark curiosity and nurture the potential in each of us. For young girls and women, education is the key to unlocking opportunities, breaking cycles of inequality, and building futures filled with hope and possibility. Whether it's learning new skills, trades, or mastering technology, education is a transformative tool that can change lives and communities. But behind every empowered girl, woman, or learner, there is a teacher who stands by their side—supporting, guiding, and inspiring them to reach new heights. Teachers show us that learning never stops, and they instill the confidence to believe that we are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to. Let's take a moment to thank the educators who continue to work tirelessly, often in challenging circumstances, to ensure that learning and growth are within reach for everyone. Thank you to all the teachers who inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers! Your impact goes far beyond the classroom.

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we pause as a nation to recognize the immense suffering and injustices endured by Indigenous peoples in Canada. Today offers a moment to reflect on the painful history of residential schools, the loss of countless lives, and the lasting trauma still felt by survivors and their families. We pay tribute to the incredible resilience, strength, and wisdom of Indigenous communities who have carried this weight through generations. In this spirit, we renew our commitment to truth, justice, and genuine reconciliation. It's a reminder that we must actively listen, learn, and take meaningful steps to confront the systemic inequalities that persist. This day calls on all of us to help create a more just and equitable Canada—one that fully recognizes and respects Indigenous rights, cultures, and languages. As we reflect on the past, let us move forward with purpose, working toward a future shaped by understanding, compassion, and solidarity.

CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS (2024) | FACILITATOR BIO... Meet our Creative Expressions facilitators Jacklyn St Laurent, PhD, RP, is a psychotherapist in the Ottawa region. Jacklyn has influenced anti-racism work throughout her career and is often called to speak at regional, provincial and national conferences on the implementation of anti-racist interventions, particularly in the mental health and wellness space. Jacklyn has her PhD in Psychotherapy, Counselling and Spirituality. She has been engaged in helping Ottawa’s Black communities to regain their sense of wholeness by volunteering with the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition and partnering with the Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network as the wellness director. Jacklyn is passionate about developing secure and safe spaces to facilitate the healing process.  Creative Expressions is a free 7 week program starting September 28th Registration and information link: https://lnkd.in/endmxRSU

CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS (2024) | FACILITATOR BIO... Meet our Creative Expressions facilitators Nagad Hersi is a Psycotherapist (Qualifying), the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) Mental Health Outreach Worker at Somerset West Community Health Centre, and has worn several hats in the community, from clinical research to community development and workshop facilitation. Driven by her commitment to addressing barriers around accessing mental health services, Nagad focuses her work on closing the gaps around accessing services for ACB community members. Creative Expressions is a free 7 week program starting September 28th Registration and information are at the link: https://lnkd.in/endmxRSU *registration limited*

CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS (2024) | FACILITATOR BIO... Meet our Creative Expressions facilitators Asli Mahdi is an afrogoth writer of Somali descent from Ottawa. Her poems have been published in The Offing, Room Magazine, The Drinking Gourd, flo. Literary magazine, Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, and have been featured on CBC's All in a Day. Asli received her MA in Human Geography, BA in Anthropology, and SSW diploma. She currently works with the Women & HIV/AIDS Initiative (WHAI), based in Toronto as the Evaluation and Knowledge Translation Lead. In her past work as the Women’s Community Developer for the Aids Committee of Ottawa Asli created and cultivated partnerships which over a three year span were able to pour back into the community. Some memorable community offerings have been the Hair, Mind, Body & Soul series, ACB writing workshops with SWCHC, Soul Sisters retreats with Soul Space, and Take Back the Ball with HoP and TKBA. Asli’s community partnerships and collaborations are of support to the core of community work. Asli believes regardless of your role/sector, and or arts-based approaches all can play significant roles in the community Outside of writing, she is an amateur ice skater and roller skater, piercing collector, dark lipstick devotée, eyeliner enthusiast, and Manic Panic fanatic. She is a student of Islam, shadows and solitude. Creative Expressions is a 7 week program and starts September 28th Registration and information at the link: https://lnkd.in/endmxRSU

CWCLN is 6 years old today. We are celebrating 6 years in operation. Cheers to us