Cythera Transition House Society

The Supreme Court of Canada just recognized a new tort allowing survivors of intimate partner violence to sue their abusers for damages. Coercive control, isolation, humiliation, economic abuse... it all counts now.

While we are hopeful, we will be watching closely. In their written dissent, three justices argued that adequate legal remedies already exist, but we all know the reality. IPV has only gotten worse since the pandemic so the law catching up on paper is one thing, how it plays out for real people is another. For now though, we will take this as a win 🙏

Once again, thank you Kuldeep Ahluwalia, who incredibly represented herself through much of this journey, and to her attorney Julie K. Hannaford who took her to the finish line 💜

We love a good Did You Know! 🌸

Did you know Mother's Day in North America was started by Anna Jarvis in 1908 to honour her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers and worked to improve public health? After her mother's death in 1905, Anna campaigned for a dedicated day, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed it into law.

And it goes back even further. In 1870, Julia Ward Howe wrote a passionate proclamation calling on mothers everywhere to rise up for peace, heartbroken by the loss of sons on both sides of the Civil War. The roots of this holiday run deep. 🕊️

However you're moving through today, we see you... To the step moms, new moms, single moms, grandmoms, adoptive moms, chosen family moms, pet moms, grieving moms, those missing their mom, those with complicated relationships, and those still hoping and waiting, today holds space for all of you 🙌🫂💜

We love everything about A Mighty Girl's page so be sure to head over to there to check out all the amazing things they have to share about women and girls.

Happy Mother's Day 💐

📷 Image credit: A Mighty Girl

Did you know that Mother's Day in North America was first envisioned as a day to celebrate motherhood and peace by the same woman who penned the words to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," the famous Civil War-era song?

Deeply affected by the death and carnage of the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian war, Julia Ward Howe wrote a Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870 calling on all mothers to come together to end, what she considered, the futility of their sons killing one another.

In this call for an International Mother's Day, Howe wrote:

"Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise all women who have hearts...
We women of one country
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs...

In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions.
The great and general interests of peace."

With this impassioned plea for peace, Howe, the ardent suffragist and abolitionist, planted the seed that would blossom into the holiday we celebrate today, though it would take 44 years and the campaigning of another activist, Anna Jarvis, before President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday in 1914. By the mid-20th century, this modern version of Mother's Day had spread to over 40 countries and today is celebrated in over 70 worldwide.

For an excellent biography for adult readers about Julia Ward Howe, we highly recommend "The Civil Wars of Julia Ward Howe" at https://www.amightygirl.com/the-civil-wars-of-julia-ward-howe

For our favorite books for children and teens about the special love between mothers and daughters, check out our blog post "Celebrating Mighty Moms & Their Daughters" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11469

To introduce children to another famous peace activist and the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, we highly recommend "Dangerous Jane" for ages 6 to 10 at https://www.amightygirl.com/dangerous-jane

For two inspiring books for young readers filled with practical advice on how to make change on issues they care about, we recommend "Start Now! You Can Make a Difference" for ages 7 to 11 (https://www.amightygirl.com/start-now) and "Be A Changemaker" for ages 12 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/be-a-changemaker)

For more true stories of inspiring girls and women who have stood up for peace and justice throughout the world, visit our “Activist” biography section at http://amgrl.co/2miHQM0

Last Thursday, we celebrated the grand opening of Elyra Counselling and it was the loveliest day all around! 🎉

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us to mark this milestone we are so proud of. It really does mean the world to us to have such a wonderful community of supporters rallying behind the work we do.

First picture left to right: Our receptionist Alicia Tuzzi, Executive Director Kristy Rogge and Councillor Jenny Tan. Second picture left to right: Kristy with our friends Adrienne Dale from Centra Lawyers and Dr. Biju Mathew, as well as our Director of Development and Marketing, Jenn Schroeder. We can't thank you enough for coming out to tour the counselling centre and for all your support!

Affordable, professional, compassionate counselling for women+ in a welcome and inclusive setting is here for you and we couldn't be more excited 😊💜

Book a session or learn more: https://www.cythera.ca/elyra-counselling