What Are Our Values?
Intersectional Feminism: Intersectionality is a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe the ways that experiences of marginalization and oppression can interact and compound. The Vancouver International Women’s Day March places intersectional feminism and diversity of experiences at the heart of our values. Intersectional feminism refers to the many ways that multiple marginalized identities and experiences can overlap— or intersect— when shaping someone’s unique experience within oppressive systems. As Lila Abu-Lughod states, “every view is a view from somewhere and every act of speaking a speaking from somewhere.” Intersectionality allows us to consider the how we build the identities and experiences that shape our diverse perspectives.
Solidarity: At Vancouver’s International Women’s Day March, we march in solidarity with women, gender-diverse individuals, and marginalized communities all over the world: though we all have different experiences, we seek collective liberation. The personal is political, and the political is personal. We stand with women and their global struggles against all forms of oppression. Solidarity is one of the key principles of the Vancouver International Women’s Day March. We organise, stand, and march in solidarity with women and marginalized groups around the world, and with our neighbours in our community. There is no freedom for one without liberation for all.
Coalitional Politics: Feminist scholar Mariana Ortega describes this term, which highlights relationality, intersectionality, and recognizing others’ potential for resistance: “[Coalitional politics] can lead to becoming-with that involves not just understanding others but being transformed by them and with them.” (2016, p.155) Coalitional politics are a way that we can incorporate the perspectives that come from people’s individual ‘horizons’ of experience. By honouring intersectionality, and prioritising listening and open-mindedness, we can create a cooperative approach that grows with us and our community.
Community-led: The Vancouver International Women’s Day March is a local, grassroots coalition organised on the Unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations. We seek to respond to and reflect the needs of Vancouver in our mission to advocate for the diverse global experiences of women and marginalized communities. We are proud to be a community-led organization, from our mission to our team and partners. We strive to reflect the needs of our community in planning this gathering and focusing its mission: we are made up of a diverse group of organizers, volunteers, community partners, and community members who join us to march. We uphold the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, anti-colonialism, intersectionality, and self-determination, and celebrate the myriad of perspectives and experiences we see reflected in Vancouver.
Bravery: We stand for bravery and courage in the face of oppression, opposition, and injustice, and fearless celebration of our local and global successes. We advocate for a world where women can be strong and outspoken in our values: we strive to create the brave spaces necessary to express ourselves and champion what we believe in.
Intersectional Feminism: Intersectionality is a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe the ways that experiences of marginalization and oppression can interact and compound. The Vancouver International Women’s Day March places intersectional feminism and diversity of experiences at the heart of our values. Intersectional feminism refers to the many ways that multiple marginalized identities and experiences can overlap— or intersect— when shaping someone’s unique experience within oppressive systems. As Lila Abu-Lughod states, “every view is a view from somewhere and every act of speaking a speaking from somewhere.” Intersectionality allows us to consider the how we build the identities and experiences that shape our diverse perspectives.
Solidarity: At Vancouver’s International Women’s Day March, we march in solidarity with women, gender-diverse individuals, and marginalized communities all over the world: though we all have different experiences, we seek collective liberation. The personal is political, and the political is personal. We stand with women and their global struggles against all forms of oppression. Solidarity is one of the key principles of the Vancouver International Women’s Day March. We organise, stand, and march in solidarity with women and marginalized groups around the world, and with our neighbours in our community. There is no freedom for one without liberation for all.
Coalitional Politics: Feminist scholar Mariana Ortega describes this term, which highlights relationality, intersectionality, and recognizing others’ potential for resistance: “[Coalitional politics] can lead to becoming-with that involves not just understanding others but being transformed by them and with them.” (2016, p.155) Coalitional politics are a way that we can incorporate the perspectives that come from people’s individual ‘horizons’ of experience. By honouring intersectionality, and prioritising listening and open-mindedness, we can create a cooperative approach that grows with us and our community.
Community-led: The Vancouver International Women’s Day March is a local, grassroots coalition organised on the Unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations. We seek to respond to and reflect the needs of Vancouver in our mission to advocate for the diverse global experiences of women and marginalized communities. We are proud to be a community-led organization, from our mission to our team and partners. We strive to reflect the needs of our community in planning this gathering and focusing its mission: we are made up of a diverse group of organizers, volunteers, community partners, and community members who join us to march. We uphold the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, anti-colonialism, intersectionality, and self-determination, and celebrate the myriad of perspectives and experiences we see reflected in Vancouver.
Bravery: We stand for bravery and courage in the face of oppression, opposition, and injustice, and fearless celebration of our local and global successes. We advocate for a world where women can be strong and outspoken in our values: we strive to create the brave spaces necessary to express ourselves and champion what we believe in.
