RISING (For Her, I Will) Women’s Conference: March 5th – 8th, 2025

In an ideal world, conferences like this wouldn’t be necessary.

But we don’t live in that world, unfortunately.

Right now, we’re witnessing a dangerous rise in attacks on women’s rights, violence against women and trans women, and the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It feels like we’re living in one of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novels: unsettling, heartbreaking, and terrifyingly real.

According to the United Nations, every 10 minutes, a woman is killed by an intimate partner or family member. Let that sink in. Every. 10. Minutes. This is an epidemic, and we are the ones who can make change happen. Being here today is just the beginning. Surrounded by strong, determined women, we rise together, standing tall to declare that WE are strong, valid, and more than ready to lead the way forward.

The women who came before us fought tooth and nail to get us to where we are today. Now, it’s on us -the women of the present- to ensure those victories are not lost or erased. We rise together, for the warriors who fought before us, for the future generations, and for ourselves. We can and will create a better present.

While more women are stepping into leadership roles, the climb to leadership positions is still painfully slow. There are barriers holding us back: unconscious bias, lack of mentorship, the constant juggling of work and personal life, cultural expectations, and the persistence of misogyny in the form of stereotypes, double standards, or even outright exclusion that undermines women’s advancement. We’ve made progress, but there’s still a long way to go. One powerful way we can change things is by getting more women on leadership roles. When women have a seat at the table, we can shift the decisions, change the narrative, and pave the way for more women to lead. The more we stand together and push for this, the more we break down the walls that have held us back for so long. We have the power to make it happen.

This conference is about more than just learning and sharing; it’s about mobilizing, igniting, and fighting back. With the political landscape we face today, our rights are under constant threat. We have no choice but to fight back against the systems that are stripping away our power, erasing our voices, and threatening our rights. We are the union, and together, we are unstoppable.

But even warriors need rest to keep fighting. That’s why this conference will also be about recharging, disconnecting and finding the space to nurture ourselves.

So, are you ready for four days of solidarity, empowerment, and self-care?

We can’t wait to make it happen with you.

The conference runs from March 5th to 8th at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton, Alberta.

DAY ZERO:
It was thrilling to set our Women’s Conference in motion! Check out snapshots as our crew sets up, delegates arrive and we gather at the opening reception of RISING: For Her, I Will .

DAY ONE:
Day One of the conference began with a powerful plenary address by Richelle Stewart, Secretary Treasurer of UFCW Local 401. It continued with a wise, witty and profoundly insightful keynote presentation by Dr. Jody Carrington, and featured three amazing and engaging workshops. The day closes with a popcorn movie night and the promise of even more inspiration and solidarity to come! Check out our snapshot gallery and stay tuned for more updates!

DAY TWO:
Day Two of the conference began with an inspiring talk from UFCW 401’s President Thomas Hesse, and continued with a keynote presentation by Tina Varughese that was equal parts witty, compassionate and revelatory. An amazing leadership panel, a series of workshops and a dance party complete this fantastic second day! Check out our snapshot gallery!

DAY THREE:
A social media workshop, a great presentation about Digital Feminism from Nora Loreto, and a thundering, powerful and emotional performance by RAW Taiko culminated a wonderful conference! Check out our snapshot gallery!