From Sandy's Desk...
As you read in the last newletter, DWtO is launching a new tentacle - Dancing Backwards: Let's Get Canada's Political Women into History! November was full of exciting developments and it looks like December is just as promising.
This past week, I was thrilled to direct seven incredibly talented women for the Dancing Backwards pitch video. It was exhilarating to be surrounded by such smart, aware, enthusiastic individuals as they portrayed female Candian historical figures. Uncanny how the costumes sight unseen actually fit! All of the women were pumped and so into the project. The energy pulsing around the set was over the top. Thanks to all for your time and support.
Young women need role models, need to hear the stories of the strong women who helped build Canada. But where are these stories? Hidden away in trunks and drawers, maybe, but certainly not to be found in our history books or school curriculum.It's time for something to be done about it - enter Dancing Backwards!
This replicable, accesible web-library resource will be made up of videos of every sort, storytelling presentations - puppet shows, skits, slide shows, cartoon or graphic representations etc - created by both school-aged boys and girls. It will be fun, informative and entertaining; role models as seen through the eyes of the demographic that needs them most.
The next step is to take
Dancing Backwards into the classroom. We're looking for pilot classes to begin - curious? Hope so! If you teach grades 5, 8 or 11/12 please contact us to be one of our
pilots!
Getting Schooled
The annual Women's Campaign School (hosted by the Women Voters Congress) took place in Vancouver October 19th and 20th at the Simon Fraser Surrey Campus. Friday evening kicked off with 70 people attending a reception where Sandy and intern Sandi Chan hob-nobbed with lady politicians from all three levels of government, and mingled with the 46 conference participants.
On Saturday, the DWtO team was treated to 13 inspirational speakers, as well as workshops on social media, launching a political campaign and so much more. Our camera crew was busy capturing the whole experience, including a special performance of the "Octopus Dance" (soon to be featured on our website!). Thanks to all those who gave personal comments on camera.
46 women graduated from the Campaign School 2012 well-informed, motivated, and inspired to become more politically active in the future
Goldi Blox and the Three Engineers
Well, just one engineer, and she's amazing! Debbie Sterling, a Stanford Engineering graduate, was dismayed by the lack of women in her field, so she did something about it. She created Goldi Blox, a toy that encourages little girls to develop problem solving, engineering and spatial skills.
"By desinging construction toys from the female perspective, we aim to appeal to a broader audience of children and parents who previously considered engineering a 'boys club.' By challenging this stereotype, we hope to inspire more girls...to become engineers." Go check out the
Goldi Blox website!
University Payoff
As the weather turns cold and ark, here's something to brighten you up (not really)! A fun little tool to keep us inspired in the fight for equal pay, courtesy of The Globe and Mail.
This scale supplies you with a side by side comparison of median income categorized by areas of study and gender.
It's easy to use and shocking! Here's the
link.
Monday, December 3, 2012 at 05:10PM 
