BWWAD

BLACK WOMEN AND WOMEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT (BWWAD)

What is BWWAD?

Black Women and Women of African Descent Gathering started in 2003, to provide support for women of African descent who were pursuing or thinking about pursuing graduate studies at OISE University of Toronto and other area universities. It has since grown to be an autonomous group for African/Black women.

“Alone we survive, Together we thrive”

The BWWAD gathering was started due to the lack of inclusion and integration into mainstream educational system and as a place where Women of African descent could get to know each other and share information and knowledge about various aspects of their academic and professional endeavors. This space of resistance was needed to combat the very real experience of racism, sexism, colonialism and other oppressions experienced by African women at the university and throughout our varied communities.

Who is it for?

Black women and women of African descent who want to support each other in seeking educational attainment in various communities including school, work, social, and political environments. Black/African women refer to any women of African ancestry.

BWWAD’s Inclusionary, Revolutionary Vision:

BWWAD is dedicated in providing a space for all Women of African ancestry.
An anti-oppression approach is taken in all aspects of the Gathering, which includes African/Black women from various class backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions/spiritualities, (dis)abilities, ages, languages, and educational and community affiliations. We are committed to ongoing critical engagement and interaction with learning and unlearning “oppressions” in order to strengthen a collective stance that supports emancipatory and social justice for all Black/African women. Specifically, we are committed to an anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-classist, anti-heterosexist, anti-ableist, anti-ageist, political and social praxis.

Do you want to become a member ?