Originally from Whitby, Ont., Carleton’s Women’s Day co-ordinator and second year journalism/communications student, Christine Ackerley, has always been passionate about gender related issues.
In addition to being involved with the planning of Women’s Day taking place on March 8, Ackerley is also a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, an active participant on the debate team and a past volunteer with CUSA/RRRA Fall Orientation week.
Ackerley says she first got involved with Women’s Day in the summer when PanHellenic Carleton decided to make Women’s Day an event that was bigger and more inclusive than ever before. Since applying for the Chair position, she’s been working with a team of five girls to organize and prepare activities for the big event that mainly focuses on themes of women in the media.
“The way women are physically portrayed in the media is important but we also wanted to highlight female empowerment in the media as well. We were inspired by the documentary, Miss. Representation,” she says.
In terms of issues facing young women on the Carleton campus, Ackerley thinks it’s important to keep an open dialogue.
“It’s so interesting the way the term ‘feminism’ is evolving and the forms it can take on. Since the original women’s movement, a lot of things have changed but then again, there is a lot that has not. We need to acknowledge that to keep people talking and all groups involved.”
She adds, “We enjoy so much equality on campus. We see women running for student elections and we don’t think anything of it. It’s a matter of grappling with that and looking closer internationally where woman are not equal and don’t have these opportunities. This is why it’s important to keep questioning.”
Don’t miss out on the events Christine and her hardworking team has planned for March 8 that includes an academic talk about women in business from 12:00pm-1:00pm and a range of fun activities that include yoga, Zumba, free face painting, and the anticipated keynote speaker Aliya-Jasmine Sovani (host of MTV) and her panel discussion running from 3:30pm to 5:00 about women in the media.