Honouring History, Advancing Equity
October offers many opportunities to celebrate the contributions of women and girls, learn from the histories that have shaped our communities, and reflect on the work that remains to advance equity.
This month, we recognize Women’s History Month and Mi’kmaw History Month, alongside important days that draw attention to Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people, mental health, the rights and leadership of girls, rural women, poverty, and women’s participation in public life.
Throughout October, we invite you to learn, reflect, connect and take action.
All Month — Women’s History Month
October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the women and girls whose leadership, advocacy, creativity and achievements have helped shape our communities and country.
It is also an opportunity to remember that women’s experiences are not the same. Indigenous women, African Nova Scotian and Black women, women with disabilities, newcomer and immigrant women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, rural women and many others have made significant contributions while navigating intersecting barriers to equality.
Learn & Share
Explore the stories of women who have contributed to Canada’s history and consider whose stories may still be missing from the histories we commonly tell.
Explore Women’s History Month resources from Women and Gender Equality Canada
Take action: Highlight a woman from your community, organization or field whose contributions deserve to be recognized.
All Month — Mi’kmaq History Month
October is also Mi’kmaw History Month in Nova Scotia, beginning with Treaty Day on October 1.
Mi’kmaw History Month provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Mi’kmaw history, culture, language, traditions and contributions. It also encourages all Nova Scotians to learn more about the Peace and Friendship Treaties and our shared treaty relationship.
Nova Scotia is in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq. Learning about the history and continuing presence of the Mi’kmaq is an important part of understanding the province we call home.
Learn & Reflect
Learn about Treaty Education Nova Scotia
Take action: Spend time this month learning from Mi’kmaw-led resources, events and organizations in your community.
October 4 — Sisters in Spirit
October 4 is a day to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+) and to stand alongside families, Survivors and communities calling for justice and change.
Sisters in Spirit vigils and other commemorative gatherings take place in communities across Canada to remember those who have been lost and raise awareness about the ongoing violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls issued 231 Calls for Justice, directed toward governments, institutions, industries and all Canadians.
Read the 231 Calls for Justice
Take action: Attend or amplify an Indigenous-led Sisters in Spirit event, learn about the Calls for Justice, and continue listening to Indigenous families and Survivors.
October 10 — World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
Mental health is shaped by more than individual circumstances. Income, housing, discrimination, violence, caregiving responsibilities, isolation and access to appropriate services can all affect wellbeing.
Creating healthier communities means creating environments where people can seek support without shame or judgement.
Find Support in Nova Scotia
For publicly funded mental health and addictions support, Nova Scotians can contact the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service at 1-855-922-1122.
Explore Nova Scotia mental health and wellbeing resources
Take action: Check in with someone you care about and help normalize conversations about mental health and seeking support.
October 11 — International Day of the Girl
International Day of the Girl Child celebrates girls’ voices, leadership and potential while drawing attention to the inequalities and discrimination girls continue to experience.
Supporting girls means more than speaking on their behalf. It means creating opportunities for girls to participate in decisions, develop leadership skills, challenge gender stereotypes and be heard on issues affecting their lives.
Explore International Day of the Girl Child resources
Take action: Create space for girls to speak, lead and participate—and listen when they do.
October 15 — International Day of Rural Women
Women living in rural communities make significant contributions to families, workplaces, economies and community life.
At the same time, rural women can experience unique barriers to accessing services. Transportation, distance, limited childcare, housing availability, fewer nearby services and concerns about privacy in smaller communities can all affect someone’s ability to get support when they need it.
This is especially relevant in Nova Scotia, where Women’s Centres provide essential community-based programs, information, advocacy, referrals and support across rural communities.
Learn more about International Day of Rural Women
Take action: Consider how your organization or community can make services more accessible to women living outside major urban centres.
From Our Centres: Supporting Health, Wellness & Connection in Antigonish
The Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association continues to create opportunities for women to access information, support, health services and meaningful community connection.
This fall, the Centre is launching Endometriosis and Menopause social media campaigns, alongside community cafés where women can gather, share experiences, ask questions and connect around these important health issues.
The Centre’s broader health and wellness work also includes foot clinics, rural Chair Yoga and Muscle & Stretch classes, and monthly STI clinics through Lindsay’s Health Centre. Together, these initiatives help make health and wellness supports more accessible while creating opportunities for social connection.
Supporting Newcomers in Antigonish
The Centre’s Immigrant Support Program has also created A Newcomers’ Guide to Antigonish: Community, Culture, and Mental Wellness.
The guide brings together helpful local information about settling in the community, including housing, employment, healthcare, transportation, schools, community services and mental wellness.
Read the Newcomers’ Guide to Antigonish
Coming This November: Shine Bright, Shine Purple 💜
Beginning November 25, the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association will invite residents, businesses and community organizations across Antigonish and Guysborough to light their spaces purple for its Shine Bright, Shine Purple campaign.
The campaign will run throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, from November 25 to December 10, with proceeds from purple light bulb sales supporting the Centre’s Capital Campaign for its new building.
Watch for more about Shine Bright, Shine Purple in our November newsletter.
October 17 — International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Poverty affects far more than someone’s income. It can influence access to safe housing, nutritious food, transportation, childcare, healthcare, education and participation in community life.
For women experiencing gender-based violence, financial insecurity can create additional barriers to leaving an unsafe situation or accessing support.
Addressing poverty means looking beyond individual circumstances and considering the systems that influence economic security, dignity and access to essential resources.
Learn more about the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Take action: Support community initiatives addressing food security, housing and economic inclusion, and learn more about the systemic factors that contribute to poverty.
October 18 — Persons Day
On October 18, Canada recognizes Persons Day, marking the 1929 legal decision that included women within the legal definition of “persons” and opened the door for some women to be appointed to the Senate.
It was an important milestone for women’s participation in Canadian public life, while also reminding us that progress has not been experienced equally by all women.
Persons Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come while continuing to ask:
Who has a seat at the table today—and whose voices are still missing?
Take action: Support women and gender-diverse people in leadership and encourage decision-making spaces that reflect the diversity of our communities.
Resources for October
Want to keep learning? Here are a few places to start:
Women & Gender Equality
Women and Gender Equality Canada
Mi’kmaw History & Treaty Education
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Nova Scotia Mental Health and Wellbeing
Newcomer Support
A Newcomers’ Guide to Antigonish
Women’s Centres
Women’s Centres across Nova Scotia provide programs, information, advocacy, referrals and community-based support shaped by the needs of the communities they serve.
Find a Women’s Centre near you
What Can You Do This October?
This month, we encourage you to:
- Learn about a woman whose contribution to your community or Canadian history you did not previously know.
- Engage with Mi’kmaw-led resources during Mi’kmaw History Month.
- Listen to and amplify Indigenous families, Survivors and communities calling for action on MMIWG2S+.
- Create space for girls to participate in conversations and decisions affecting them.
- Think about access and the barriers women in rural communities may encounter when seeking services and support.
- Challenge stigma around mental health and seeking help.
- Explore local resources supporting women, newcomers and communities.
- Learn more about how poverty and gender inequality intersect.
- Examine representation in leadership and decision-making spaces around you.
Moving Forward
October reminds us that recognizing progress and continuing the work toward equity must go hand in hand.
As we celebrate women’s histories and contributions, we can also continue learning, listening and addressing the barriers that affect women, girls and gender-diverse people today.
Across Nova Scotia, Women’s Centres put this work into practice every day—creating spaces for support and connection, responding to community needs, sharing information and helping people navigate the systems that affect their lives.
Recognition matters. Representation matters. Connection matters. Action matters.
Follow Connect Women’s Centre for resources, opportunities and updates from Women’s Centres across Nova Scotia.