Don't Get Mad - Get Organized!
Learn about channeling frustration into community or political action with local esteemed women and gender-diverse leaders. (FREE)
Date and time
Location
St. John's Farmers' Market
245 Freshwater Road St. John's, NL A1B 1B3 CanadaAbout this event
- Event lasts 2 hours 30 minutes
Looking for an alternative to doomscrolling on your phone and being ticked off on the night of Trump's inauguration? Look no further!
Don't get mad - get organized.
Recent situations in Canada and south of the border may stir frustration, fear, and anger within you. If you are vying for leadership that talks about ideas and solutions over hollow one-liners, and want to prevent the divisive, harmful rhetoric we see in federal and American politics from taking root here in our province, you're not alone.
If you want to take action in your community (through volunteerism, activism, or political leadership) and don’t know where to start, we are here to meet you where you are and help you find your path forward.
Whether you’re new to activism, seeking a community of like-minded individuals, or already involved and just looking for a bit of extra motivation these days, this gathering is for you. It's your opportunity to be part of an important conversation and a movement for positive change.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’ll help you get there.
What to Expect
Join Equal Voice NL and friends for an informal networking event and two guided conversations with various esteemed local women and gender-diverse leaders, led by activist and Women's Executive Network Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada recipient, Laurabel Mba.
Taking place at the St. John's Farmers Market, our first panel conversation is about turning frustration into action.
Laurabel will be joined by:
- Khadeja Raven Anderson - Co-founder of Black Lives Matter NL, Owner of Ravensong Consulting, and 2024 CBC Black Changemaker
- Sarah Worthman - Founder and Executive Director of the NL Queer Research Initiative, a grassroots organization that was established to develop and collect 2SLGBTQIA+ centered research in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Jenn Deon - Founder and Artistic Director of PerSIStence Theatre Company and RBC 2023 Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award Recipient for Social Change
Followed by an interactive Q&A and a networking/snack break, we will then come back to the second portion of the panel, which focuses on moving from community action to political action.
Laurabel will be joined by:
- Gerry Rogers - Former MHA for St. John's Centre, former Leader of the NL NDP, first openly gay politician elected to NL's legilsature, international award-winning documentary filmmaker (40+ times over), and superstar who helped establish the first transition house for women facing violence through her work at the St. John's Women's Centre.
- Shannie Duff - Former Councillor at Large, Deputy Mayor and Mayor of St. John's and Former MHA for St. John's Each (at one point holding a municipal AND provincial role at the same time!) She was 2001 National Volunteer of the Year for Habitat for Humanity Canada, the Queen's Silver and Golden Jubilee Medals, and, in 2003, the Order of Canada for outstanding community service.
- Sheilagh O'Leary- Deputy Mayor of St. John's, Artist, Founder of Tickle Swim for Mental Health and 2024 Municipal World Women of Influence in Local Government Award Recipient.
This panel will also be followed by an interactive Q&A, with some time at the end to network a bit more and with Equal Voice's help, we will provide you with information and learn more about you to set you up with some next steps.
Whether it's on the ballot or behind the scenes, we need more diversity in all leadership roles. Equal Voice NL is here for you.
Don't Get Mad - Get Organized! is a gathering is for those who believe in building a better future for everyone—regardless of party affiliation. We KNOW there are good people in every party—Liberal, NDP, Green, and Conservative/PC—who share these values. And while we’re fortunate to have more inclusive, accessible politicians compared to other regions, we can still do better. We need more diverse voices at decision-making tables to create a truly representative democracy, and to ensure everybody's voice is equal.
Whether you’re new to activism or already involved and seeking a pick-me-up in motivation, this gathering is for you. It's your opportunity to be of an important conversation and to be part of a movement for positive change. If you’re ready to take the next step, we’ll help you get there.
Don’t just get mad—get organized. Your voice matters.
Frequently asked questions
No! This event is for everyone; ESPECIALLY those who are looking to get more involved in community leadership (volunteerism, activism, etc) and unsure of where to start. We want to bring you together with positive community leaders to help you harness your potential even further than you already are
No! While our mandate is to support women and gender-diverse individuals, this particular event is also open to men who are seeking to provide better allyship. We all need to work together to move forward in society.
St. John's Farmers Market is one of the most accessible venues in the city, and has tons of free parking! Learn more here. https://sjfm.ca/visit/
As of right now, no!
No! It is free, but we will require RSVP through eventbrite.
Not necessarily; if you are 14+ and passionate about social justice, you are welcome with a guardian.
We are multipartisan. We do not lean toward any particular party and are available to support parties seeking to implement more equitable practices. We strive for equal representation amongst parties at all events. We can also help you figure out which party most closely identifies with you.