Exploring Feminist Resistance to War, Occupation, and Apartheid

VISIT THE EXHIBIT

This exhibit examines records from organizations and individuals in our collections who have struggled against the encroachment of Western militarism and its historic violence against women and racialized people around the world. In addition to their analyses of imperialist violence, many feminists struggled against war, occupation, apartheid, racism, resource extraction, and the exploitation of Third World women’s labour, while promoting radical pathways for international peace, divestment, and disarmament. At the same time, Canadian women’s organizations have often suppressed anti-imperialist voices and critique. Ultimately, the records featured in this exhibit illustrate the feminist movement’s internal divide between those who wanted to focus solely on women’s issues in North America, and those who sought to act in solidarity with women’s struggles against Western military violence on other continents. They also show an internal divide among anti-war groups, between those who condemned all forms of violence and those who believed revolutionary violence was justified.

Also available is a downloadable course packet including citation guides, small group activities and discussion questions for use in the classroom.

This exhibit explores historical narratives relating to women and witchcraft. Highlighted by materials from the Archives and Special Collections, this history spans rare books to recently digitized audiovisual recordings, from the 15th to the 21st century. 

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When picturing activist movements, one often imagines young students climbing over barricades and investing all their energy into the cause. Elders are left behind to act as wise advisers seated safely on the boards of committees. This belief applies to feminism as well. From the mid-1970s, however, as female concern about aging grew, activists of all ages began to speak up and take action. Meet the women who fought age- and gender- based discrimination within this virtual exploration from the University of Ottawa’s women’s archives.