September Newsletter 2026

Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario

Board Update

We hope you are enjoying your summer!

On behalf of the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario, we are pleased to invite you to save the date for our 2026 Annual General Meeting:

Monday, October 19, 2026

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

CASO Station, 750 Talbot St., St. Thomas, Ontario

This past year has been one of reflection, learning, and intentional growth for GECO. Through this process, we have strengthened our foundation, clarified our direction, and begun work that continues to create a lasting impact.

We are excited to share that work with you through our renewed vision, Planting the Tree - a framework rooted in cultivating meaningful partnerships, expanding programming, deepening community connections, and advancing gender equity across Ontario. We look forward to sharing where we're headed and inviting your ideas as we continue to grow together.

We are honoured that Selam Debs will join us as our keynote speaker. Selam is a Black Ethiopian anti-racism coach, consultant, and trainer who has been working with our board this year.

This year's AGM will also provide an opportunity to connect with community leaders, partners, and supporters from across the region. We hope you will join us for an evening of conversation, collaboration, and networking. Light refreshments will be provided.

Please save the date and, if you are able to attend, register through Eventbrite. Additional event details and a reminder will be shared closer to the AGM.

We sincerely hope you'll join us as we plant the seeds for this exciting new chapter for GECO.

Learning, Reflecting, and Growing at GECO

At the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario (GECO), we believe that meaningful social change requires organizations to be willing to learn and change too.

Over the past year, we have intentionally created space to reflect on our practices, listen to feedback, examine where we can do better, and strengthen our commitment to intersectional gender justice. This has included organizational learning focused on anti-racism, anti-sexism, equity, accountability, governance, and the ways that power and privilege can shape organizations—even those committed to social justice.

An important part of this work has been recognizing that organizational learning is not a single workshop or training session. It is an ongoing process of listening, reflecting, sometimes being uncomfortable, and then turning what we learn into meaningful action.

We are using this learning to strengthen our governance, improve how we work with community partners, inform our programs and projects, and ensure that diverse voices and lived experiences are reflected in our decision-making.

As we begin a new season at GECO this September, we are carrying these lessons forward. We know that organizations committed to systemic change must also be willing to examine and change themselves.

We are learning. We are reflecting. We are changing. And we are committed to doing better—together.

GECO Spotlight

If you’re not following Erin Davis yet, you should be.

Erin is an award-winning inclusion strategist, speaker and advisor whose work brings together leadership, inclusion, workplace culture, belonging and, most importantly, people. She has a way of taking big, sometimes uncomfortable conversations and making them thoughtful, practical and human.

At GECO, we believe change starts with conversations and Erin is someone consistently creating conversations worth being part of.

Whether she’s talking about inclusive leadership, belonging, equity, psychological safety or challenging us to think differently about the environments we create, Erin brings curiosity, honesty and humanity to the work.

So this month, we’re giving a little GECO shout-out to Erin Davis. If she isn’t already in your feed, we think she should be.

Follow her. Read her work. Listen to the conversations. Stay curious.

Explore Erin Davis Co. - www.erindavisco.ca

What if everyone had the tools to challenge sexism when they see it?

Many women face an ongoing battle with workplace harassment, which may include sexist comments, unwanted physical contact, and a general lack of respect. This not only affects their mental health, but also leads to high turnover rates.

Sexism still shapes workplaces, schools, and communities.

Our new Anti-Sexism Toolkit provides practical tools to recognize sexism, challenge it, and build more equitable environments. GECO can work with you to set up a consultation to assess your work environment or address any questions you have about implementing the anti-sexist toolkit in your workplace. We can also implement training for your organization or help train your workplace trainer.

Anti-Sexist Toolkit: Moving From Awareness to Action

GECO’s Anti-Sexist Toolkit continues to grow! What began as a WAGE-funded project to address sexism has developed into a practical resource designed to help workplaces, organizations, unions, educators, and community leaders move beyond simply talking about sexism toward actively changing the cultures and systems that allow it to continue.

Over the past year, we have been developing, testing, and refining the Toolkit with input from community partners, students, workers, and organizations. The Toolkit includes practical resources on recognizing sexism, challenging harmful workplace cultures, bystander and upstander intervention, allyship, inclusive policies and practices, and creating meaningful systemic change.

This fall marks an exciting next stage. We will continue introducing the Toolkit to organizations and exploring opportunities for workshops, facilitator training, and sector-specific applications—including the skilled trades, education, labour, and community organizations.

Our goal is simple but ambitious: we want the Anti-Sexist Toolkit to become something people actually use. Ending sexism requires more than awareness. It requires people and organizations to have the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to recognize sexism, interrupt it, and change the systems that reproduce it.

The Toolkit is built for action—and we are excited to see where it goes next.

Interested in the Anti-Sexist Toolkit?

If you're interested in GECO's Anti-Sexist Toolkit, need more information, or want to implement it within your organization, please email GECO at genderequalitycoalition@gmail.com.

Rainbow Connections is a GECO program in partnership with Rainbow Optimists and Elgin County Pride. This program creates events and three safe community spaces for Trans and Queer youth, young adults, and adults in St Thomas:

• Queer Qlub for those ages 12-18
• Queer Adult Social for those 18+
• The Hub located in Downtown St Thomas

Are you a Queer or Trans youth living in rural Southwestern Ontario? Do you know someone who is? Connect with Rainbow Connections! We'll tell you about upcoming social events and their locations appropriate for your age.

2SLGBTQIA+ Social Groups

Queer Qlub (QQ):

Queer Qlub is for youth aged 12-18 years. It takes place on the first three Tuesdays of the month from 6-8 PM. Youth are provided with snacks, drinks, and any materials required for the week's activity. Spend time with your friends or make some new ones - either way, youth have access to a safe, accepting, and affirming space.

September's Activities:

Sept 1 - Zentangles

Sept 8 - Painted Rocks

Sept 15 - Paper Beads

Young Adult Social (YAS):

Due to Rainbow Connections constraints, the Young Adult Social is on indefinite hiatus until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience. We suggest young adults attend the Queer Adult Social. Please find details below.

Queer Adult Social (QAS):

In partnership with Elgin County Pride, queer adults aged 18+ are welcome to join us at YWCA St Thomas-Elgin at 16 Mary Street West, St Thomas on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 6-8 PM for Queer Adult Social. Hang out, play some games, and make some friends!

September's Meetings:

• Thursday, September 10
• Thursday, September 24

Drop-in Hub

Location: 15 St Catharine Street, Unit 305, St Thomas, ON

Hours: Mon - Wed, 2-5 PM

Rainbow Connections has officially opened a brand-new physical community hub for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Visitors are welcome to stop by, hang out, grab a snack from our Community Cupboard, collect some resources, borrow a library book, and just be themselves in a safe, welcoming environment.

Are you passionate about skilled trades and eager to be a part of a supportive community that helps you thrive? Whether you're just starting out or an experienced tradesperson, our ConnectHER trades community is the perfect fit for you!

Something is Changing at GECO

For years, conversations about women in skilled trades have focused on getting more women through the door.

But getting through the door was never the whole problem.

What happens when they get there?

Do they have PPE that fits?

A washroom they can actually use?

A workplace free from harassment and discrimination?

Policies that recognize pregnancy, caregiving, disability and different lived experiences?

Mentors, opportunities and a real path to leadership?

We don't believe women need to change to fit the trades.

The worksites need to change.

Over the past several months, we've been bringing together what we've learned through ConnectHER, Cheers for Change, our Anti-Sexist Toolkit, labour advocacy, and—most importantly—the voices and experiences of women working in the trades to shape the next chapter of GECO's Women in Trades work.

And we're almost ready to share it.

Changing Worksites. Not Women.

A new direction.

A bigger vision.

And work we believe can help change what it means to build a career in the skilled trades.

Full reveal at GECO's AGM.

In the meantime, help us celebrate the people already changing the trades.

Who is your favourite woman in trades?

Maybe she's an apprentice just getting started. A journeywoman who has spent decades on the tools. A mentor who always makes room for the next person. A union leader, instructor, business owner, advocate—or simply someone who shows up every day and makes her worksite a little better for the people coming behind her.

Tell us who she is and why you think she deserves to be recognized.

We may feature her in an upcoming Cheers for Change as we celebrate the people who are already helping change worksites.

Changing Worksites. Not Women.

Take the Survey!

The Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario survey is gathering insights to better understand and support women in non-traditional industries.

Your input will help inform the development of tools and strategies aimed at improving working conditions, increasing access, and strengthening retention and advancement.

Book Fair Fundraiser

Tues, Sept 29 from 6-8 PM

YWCA St Thomas - Elgin

16 Mary Street West, St Thomas

No registration necessary, and everyone is welcome!

Rainbow Connections is raising funds with an All-Ages, "Pay What You Can" Fundraiser!

Generous members of the community have donated books in a variety of genres for all ages, and you pay what you can for them. All funds raised go to the Rainbow Connections "Keep The Lights On" Campaign.

Featuring: Blind Date with a Book Bundles! Are you up for a blind date? You don't know the title or the author. You're given keywords for a book that's wrapped in paper, so you have some idea of what the book is about, and a quote from the book. Each bundle comes with stickers, bookmarks, candy, and sparklers to celebrate your date! (Suggested minimum donation of $10 per bundle.)

GECO's Annual General Meeting

Mon, October 19 from 6-8 PM

CASO Station, 750 Talbot Street, St Thomas

Free registration via EventBrite

Help us "Plant the Tree!"

The Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario (GECO) is excited to share the learning we've done over the past year and what our future and community goals look like during our Annual General Meeting.

Join Us For:

• Speaker Selam Debbs
• Community Feedback
• Catered Refreshments

GECO relies on community connections to create systemic change, offer meaningful programming, and strive for gender equality.

Resource of the Month - Gender Equality Week

GECO believes in equity for all. Part of creating equity is sharing informative, educational, or supportive resources. This month, we're featuring the Government of Canada's website to promote Gender Equality Week from September 21 to 26, 2026.

Gender Equality Week highlights progress made to advance gender equality in Canada, promotes inclusivity, features the contributions women and gender diverse people have made, and reminds us how far we have yet to come.

GECO will feature different topics every day during Gender Equality Week on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. Follow along to learn more!

Resource Features:

• Gender equality timeline
• A Better World: Gender equality activity for youth
• Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) online course 
• Federal action to advance gender equality
• Facts, stats, and impact: Gender equality
• Equality in Action explainers: Women in the economy

Days of Recognition

GECO believes community representation is essential in the collaborative efforts towards gender justice. We believe that gender justice can only be achieved when all intersectional genders are included. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, valuing individuals from all intersectionalities - all genders, cultures, ages, races, orientations, locations, and abilities.

We highlight days of recognition to bring awareness to and empower gender equality by balancing the economic, political, social, and employment conditions in Ontario. Each day of recognition includes information on the issue, tips for better understanding, and how you can have a positive impact on the community.

Vol .21 Newsletter