Women Rising: Strength, Voice, Leadership
Bold Women. Strong Voices. Real Change.
Friday, June 19, 2026 (5:00pm) to Sunday, June 21, 2026 (2:00pm).
Best Western, St. Catharines
2 North Service Rd, St. Catharines, ON L2N 4G9

CUPE Education Registration Link: https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/10718

Women Rising: Strength, Voice, Leadership is a weekend dedicated to empowering CUPE women and those who identify as such to step into their leadership, strengthen their voices, and build collective power. Grounded in the theme Bold Women. Strong Voices. Real Change., the weekend invites participants to explore what it means to lead with courage, resilience, and purpose within our union, the labour movement, and beyond. The Women Rising weekend creates space to connect with other women, build supportive relationships, and form lasting networks that participants can draw on long after the event ends.

The weekend includes Labour, Music, and Art: Activating Your Local, a creative and engaging workshop that explores labour activism through music, poetry, writing, and art. Complementing the themes of leadership and empowerment throughout the weekend, the workshop offers participants new ways to connect, communicate, and engage with other women in their workplaces and unions in meaningful and inclusive ways. Through CUPE’s Women Breaking Barriers course, attendees will examine the systemic challenges women face while gaining practical skills and confidence to navigate and overcome them. Learn about women’s oppression, politics and social change, all from a woman’s perspective. Explore the barriers, challenges and opportunities for women in the union. Discover your own personal leadership style and develop a plan for your personal next step.

The weekend will also feature inspiring guest speakers who will share their personal journeys, highlighting the obstacles they have faced and the strength it takes to continue showing up and doing this important work. Rooted in solidarity and shared experience, this gathering creates space to connect, learn, and rise together. When women lead with strength and voice, real change happens.

Tentative Facilitators: Juanita Ford & Dash Lavender

Guest Speaker List:

Jennie Stevens, MPP.

Laura Ip, Niagara Regional Councillor.

Yolanda McClean, CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer & Executive Vice-president at the Ontario Federation of Labour.

Additional speakers TBA .

This event is taking place over three days:

Day 1: 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Women Rising Welcome & Guest Speakers
Workshop: Labour, Music, and Art: Activating your Local

We will delve into labour history and activism through past and current music, writing, poetry, and art created by workers, for the benefit of workers and the world. We will challenge ourselves to create member engagement and campaign tools that will inspire and capture the experiences of members. No artistic experience required!

Day 2: 9:00am – 5:30pm

Guest Speakers
Workshop: Women Breaking Barriers

Learn about women’s oppression, politics and social change – all from a woman’s perspective. Explore the barriers, challenges and opportunities for women in the union. Discover your own personal leadership style and develop a plan for your personal next step.

Day 3: 9:00am – 2:00pm

Guest Speakers
Workshop: Women Breaking Barriers

*Attendees are strongly encouraged to attend all three days, as sessions are designed to complement one another.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Monday, June 1st, 2026.

LOCATION
Best Western, St. Catharines
2 North Service Rd,
St. Catharines, ON L2N 4G9

NUMBER OF SPACES AVAILABLE
30

EVENT COST
Registration fee is $250 per person for the weekend course and speakers. The fee includes light fare and beverages Friday evening, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, non-alcoholic beverages for the Saturday Social (7pm-10pm), and continuous refreshment service and curated break offerings throughout the weekend.

Best Western Hotel rooms have been reserved for out of town attendees at a discounted rate of $279/night (plus tax).

PAYMENT INFORMATION
Payment can be submitted by mail upon registration. Please make cheque payable to Niagara District CUPE Council and mail to:

Niagara District CUPE Council
2601 Hwy 20, Unit #1
Thorold, ON. L2V 5S8

Please email infondcc9102@gmail.com if there are any dietary restrictions for attendees.