Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: Law and Crime: Women

  • Blog: Roe v. Wade and the disproportionate implications for Black women in the United States

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    By Jenna Robinson 

     

    The recent overruling of Roe v. Wade by the United States Supreme Court presents serious challenges for folks in need of abortions and for reproductive rights in general. It is critical that conversations and discussions remain inclusive as this decision not only affects women, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community may experience extensive harm as a result of this ruling.  

    There are important distinctions in abortion and healthcare access among women and marginalized groups. Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous (Native American) Peoples will be disproportionately affected by this overruling which was decided predominantly by white people. This blog post will analyze the devastating effect it will have on Black women in the United States.  

    When exploring issues such as this, it is important to amplify and prioritize Black voices. The writer of this blog post is a white settler residing in Amiskwaciy Waskahikan (Edmonton) and references primarily Black voices. When researching this topic on your own, we encourage you to center marginalized voices. 

    This blog post is the third installment of a series that discusses what the overruling of Roe v. Wade means, who will be disproportionately impacted, and what abortion and reproductive access is like in Alberta. To read the first two blog posts, click here 

    Poverty and Healthcare Access among Black Women  

    Experiences of poverty originate from and are reinforced by experiences of racism, sexism, and other systemic inequalities. Black women are disproportionately affected by poverty in the United States (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2018). In 2013, 25.7% of Black women over the age of 18 reported living below the poverty line, causing this population to have the second highest poverty rate among racial and ethnic groups in the country (Status of Women in the States, n.d.). Indigenous (Native American) women were ranked highest, with 28.1% of women over the age of 18 living below the poverty line. Black women on average make 63 cents for every dollar a white man makes in the United States (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2018). The correlation between wage and experiences of poverty among Black women (in addition to many other barriers) affects the money and resources they can dedicate to childcare, food, and healthcare (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2018). 

    Black women and other marginalized populations generally receive a lower quality of care from healthcare institutions due to systemic and institutionalized racism. This directly impacts their health and morbidity rates. “Black women are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women” (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2018). Health conditions such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage account for 26% of pregnancy related mortality in the United States (Tucker, Berg, Callaghan & Hsai, 2007). While white women experience similar rates of pregnancy related health conditions, Black women are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from them. There is a clear discrepancy in access to, and treatment within, healthcare systems for Black women. 

    Due to the systemic and institutionalized barriers, abortion rates for Black women have been and will continue to be affected.  Roughly 40% of women who access abortions in the United States are Black and they account for the highest percentage of people who access safe abortions (Lenzen, 2022). As a result, they will be among the most affected by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.  

    Implications of Roe v. Wade for Black Women 

    The overturning of Roe v. Wade will exacerbate the systemic barriers that influence healthcare access, particularly the access to safe abortion. Maya Richard-Craven (2022) states that the “[lack] of access to a safe abortion is another means of control in a long list of ways that Black women have been suppressed.”  

    Since individual states now have the authority to ban abortion, and many have already started, people will have to travel out of state to areas where abortion is still legal and safe, assuming they have the means to do so. However, the higher and disproportionate rates of poverty among Black women will reinforce systemic barriers and create an even greater lack of access due to having less financial and emotional support that can be used towards travel for a safe abortion. This does not mean abortions will stop in states who ban abortion, it means safe abortions will stop.  Those in need of an abortion, who cannot afford to travel, may turn to dangerous, life-threatening alternatives. Legalizing abortion and making it accessible allows those seeking to terminate a pregnancy, an option that promotes their safety and wellbeing.  

    Many of those who support the overturning of Roe v. Wade argue that they value all human life and that they do not want anyone dying. A common response made by pro-choice advocates is that this ruling is simply another tool used to control bodies. Intersectional scholars and critics are expanding on this conversation to better encapsulate what is actually occurring; Dr. Melina Abdullah, the cofounder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, argues that this overruling is “a pro-poverty agenda, a racist agenda, a sexist, patriarchal and misogynistic agenda, a control agenda – an agenda that feeds the criminal system of injustice” (Richard-Craven, 2022). This decision has implications beyond abortion and causes threats to other Supreme Court rulings that impact marginalized communities. Rulings such as Griswold v. Connecticut, Lawrence v. Texas, and Obergefell v. Hodges, legalized same-sex marriage and relationships, as well as contraception. In short, analyzing Roe v. Wade through an intersectional lens helps identify the devastating impacts and unique experiences it has on many marginalized communities in society.  

    We encourage you to continue the conversation and to engage in materials to help guide these discussions. Please see some of the resources listed below.  

    Resources by Black Authors  

    Roe v. Wade’s Impact on the LGBTQIA2S+ Community  

     

    References 

    Status of Women in the States. (n.d.). “Poverty and Opportunity Full Section”. https://statusofwomendata.org/explore-the-data/poverty-opportunity/poverty-and-opportunity-full-section/#pofig4.4.   

    National Partnership for Women and Families. (2018). “Black Women’s Maternal Health: A Multifaceted Approach to Addressing Persistent and Dire Health Disparities”. https://www.nationalpartnership.org/our-work/health/reports/black-womens-maternal-health.html.    

    Tucker, M. J. & Berg, C. J. & Callaghan, W. M. & Hsia, J. (2007). The Black-White Disparity in Pregnancy-Related Mortality From 5 Conditions: Differences in Prevalence and Case-Fatality Rates. American Jounral of Public Health, 97:2 (247-251).   

    Lenzen, C. (June, 2022). “Facing higher teen pregnancy and maternal mortality rates, Black women will largely bear the brunt of abortion limits”. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/30/texas-abortion-black-women/.   

    Craven-Richard, M. (July 2, 2022). “Roe v. Wade Has Higher Stakes for Black Women”. The Magazine fo the Sierra Club.  https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/roe-v-wade-has-higher-stakes-for-black-women  

     

     

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  • Blog: The Impacts of the Overturning of Roe v. Wade on Individuals Experiencing Poverty

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    By Mariska Konnik

     

    On June 24th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court ruled to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that provided constitutional access to abortion across America for nearly 50 years. This landmark decision will limit the access to abortion substantially as it gives individual states the power to implement laws that restrict or ban access, as well as create consequences for medical experts providing the procedure such as confiscated licenses or incarceration. (1) This event is likely to substantially shift the landscape regarding reproductive rights, causing a significant impact on women, girls/youths, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals, especially those experiencing poverty.

     

    The overturning of Roe v. Wade resulted in the court ruling 6-3 to uphold a Republican-based Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. (1) Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan heavily criticized the decisions of the majority, closing their statements by stating, “with sorrow – for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection – we dissent.” (2) In 1973, the original Roe v. Wade ruling established that an individual’s decision to have an abortion was protected under rights that stem from the U.S. Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment which outlines the protection of a citizen’s right to “life, liberty and property.” (1)

     

    The impact of this decision is set to have substantial impacts on the rights of many individuals within the United States, with many already being seen just days after the announcement. President Joe Biden, in response to the decision, stated “the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk… The court has done what it’s never done before, expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans that had already been recognized. The court’s decision to do so will have real and immediate consequences.” (2) This is already being seen as many abortion clinics in the states with “trigger laws” regarding abortion have promptly stopped administering them as they assess what this ruling means for them. (1) The Justices opposing the overturning decision have stated how “from the very moment of fertilization, a woman has no rights to speak of,” (2) alluding to the limitations that are going to be felt by women all across America. Additionally, those same Justices spoke on the impact this decision will undeniably have on women experiencing poverty, stating “above all others, women lacking financial resources will suffer from today’s decision.” (2)

     

    This ruling is set to have a considerable impact on women, girls/youth, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals who are experiencing poverty. This comes at a time when both the pandemic and the economy have had intense impacts on women, specifically within the workforce. The wage gap, lack of affordable childcare, and lack of paid leave for pregnancy are barriers that low-income individuals already face within society. In addition, there is the gendered expectation that pregnant individuals are expected to take on the responsibility of childcare, impacting both their living wage and their overall well-being. (3) With the limitations imposed on abortion access, women are left with little opportunity to engage in the workforce if pregnant, causing significant impacts on their lives. The Turnaway Study, conducted by Dr. Diana Foster, a professor at the University of California San Francisco, found that women who were denied an abortion were four times more likely to be living below the Federal Poverty Line. (3) Additionally, this decision is set to have an impact on the cost of healthcare, an issue that already impacts many Americans financially. Previously, health insurance coverage for abortions was already limited, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade set to further limit this to the point where there may be no coverage available. (5) Individuals living in states restricting abortion access will also face the challenge of travelling across the country to have the procedure provided to them, causing additional financial struggles through travelling costs, and the complication of out-of-state health coverage. (2,5)

     

    This adds further complications to those who are struggling to provide for themselves and their families by removing the ability to make decisions that impact not only their wellbeing, but the potential well-being of their family. (3) Consequences of this may include children being raised in impoverished families or growing up with a lack of opportunities due to the circumstances the pregnancy occurred under. Dr. Foster’s research demonstrates that children born as a result of a denied abortion were more likely to live below the poverty line. (3) The impacts that the Roe v. Wade decision is set to have on individuals experiencing poverty is undeniable and places a further barrier to the well-being of pregnant individuals and their families.

     

    While this landmark decision is based in the United States, it is important to think about the consequences it may have within North America, and the broader scope of the world. A statement released by Planned Parenthood Toronto explains how “every time a high-profile right-wing stunt is carried off in the US or Canada, it opens the door slightly wider here in Canada. It shifts the benchmark of what is acceptable to even debate.” (4) While there are no laws governing abortion in Canada, accessing abortion services are not a simple or easy process, and may call into question the existence of these limited services that do exist. (4)

     

    The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is one of sincere magnitude and is likely to have an undeniable impact on women, girls/youths, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals throughout America. Going forward, there is likely to be intense discussion, debate, and protest surrounding this topic, and the decision made on June 24th, 2022 by the U.S. Supreme Court is one that will not be forgotten.

     

     

    End of text reference list (chronological):

    Gollom, M., & Iorfida, C. (2022, June 24). U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, leaving abortion rights up to states. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ussc-dobbs-abortion-ruling-1.6495637

    de Vogue, A., Sneed, T., Duster, C., & Cole, D. (2022, June 24). Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/politics/dobbs-mississippi-supreme-court-abortion-roe-wade/index.html

    Corbett, H. (2022, June 7). How Overturning Roe v. Wade Can Impact The Economy. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hollycorbett/2022/06/07/how-overturning-roe-v-wade-can-impact-the-economy/?sh=17ece6af632f

    Datta-Ray, M. (2022, June). Planned Parenthood Toronto on Roe v. Wade Press Release. Planned Parenthood Toronto. http://ppt.on.ca/planned-parenthood-toronto-on-roe-v-wade-press-release/

    Nova, A. (2022, June 27). Here’s how the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision could affect health insurance coverage. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/27/supreme-court-roe-v-wade-decision-could-affect-health-insurance-coverage.html

     

    Mariska Konnik is a recent graduate from the University of Alberta with a BA in Criminology. She has a passion for social justice and hopes to assist individuals within the Edmonton community by sharing information and resources. She hopes to become a lawyer to continue her passion for social justice.

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  • Blog: Roe v. Wade: Implications and Impact for Abortion Access in a Canadian and Albertan Context

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    Many of us have been reeling with the seriousness from the United States Supreme Court’s overruling of Roe vs Wade, a ruling that has been in place since 1973, that is just shy of 50 years. Let that sink in. The ruling that has made it possible for countless people to access abortions for 49 years was overturned with a vote of 6-3. This has created conversation, controversy, and distress for many.   

    In this three-part blog series, we are going to dive deeper into why this ruling must be discussed, its implications for Albertans, and how decisions made by privileged people who hold power impact the living realities of the marginalized. 

    Why does this ruling matter? 

    This ruling is not a federal ban on abortions; however, it does turn over the decision to individual states to determine legality and access. (1) Did you know that while abortion is legal in Canada, the access is determined provincially

    In Canada, there is no specific reference to abortion, in the constitution, however, it does state, “The provinces have the authority to make laws about education, property, civil rights, the administration of justice, hospitals, municipalities, and other local or private matters within the provinces.” (2). What about the Canadian Bill of Rights? – there is no mention there either. How does this relate to the Roe v. Wade overturn? “In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Court ruled 6-3 that ‘the Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision.’” (3) 

    Abortion should be, and technically is, protected under the current Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and through precedents set in court according to the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (2022). They state that “laws and the justice system tend to be used not to help marginalized groups but to control them, including people of colour, Indigenous peoples, the 2SLGBTQI+ community, sex workers, and of course ciswomen. A well-intentioned law could potentially do more harm than good, or not much good at all.” (4)  

    What is the history of Abortion Rights in Canada? 

    Canada had its own monumental court decision on abortion in 1988 R. v. Morgentaler. (5) This decision was a 5-2 vote and part of the decision written by Chief Justice Brian Dickson stated that “forcing a woman, by threat of criminal sanction, to carry a fetus to term unless she meets certain criteria unrelated to her own priorities and aspirations, is a profound interference with a woman’s body and thus a violation of security of the person.” (5). This ruling was made as a reflection of the violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms “because it infringed upon a woman’s right to ‘life, liberty and security of person’.”(5)  In 1990, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney put forward Bill C-43 which would have seen medical professionals incarcerated for performing non-life threatening abortions. “The bill was passed by the House of Commons but died in the Senate after a tie vote.” (5) 

    The Canada Health Act states,tThe Act sets out the primary objective of Canadian health care policy, which is to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers.” (6) While the Act may set out the objectives, the actual implementation is done by the provinces. “Today, abortion falls under provincial health-care systems as a medical procedure, meaning that access to the procedure varies considerably from place to place.” (7) 

    What does access in Alberta look like?  

    Is abortion legal in Canada? Yes. Does that mean abortion is easily accessed? No. 

    There are 3 clinics outside of hospitals in Alberta where medical or surgical abortions can be done, but these are only located in Edmonton and Calgary. Mifegymiso® is an oral drug used to terminate pregnancy (8) and has only been available in Canada since 2017. (5) It can be dispensed directly to patients by pharmacists, which means a person can take their prescription from their doctor to the pharmacist and then take the medication at home. (8) As with physicians and medical staff, pharmacists can also claim “conscientious objection” where dispensing the medication may go against their moral beliefs. (8) While medical practitioners and pharmacists are required to pass the person on to someone who will administer the medication or procedure, this is not always the case and is particularly difficult in rural communities where often there are limited options. Even rural communities that have obstetrical and/or surgical options are often still not abortion accessible, in part due to conscientious objection, misinformation regarding abortion, and stigma. (9) 

    The federal government is well aware of the potential barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health care. “While barriers vary from coast to coast to coast, in some instances they include a lack of availability, a lack of financial and logistical resources required to travel to access abortion care, and lack of culturally safe, stigma-free sexual and reproductive health services. Previous experiences of discrimination within the health care system also create access barriers for minority and marginalized groups, such as Indigenous and racialized people, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and youth.” (10)

    Yes, there are potential consequences for provinces that do not provide adequate access to sexual and reproductive health care such as a restriction of funds. This happened in New Brunswick, where $140,000 was withheld from “New Brunswick for failing to provide funding for abortions at a Fredericton clinic.” (7) Reducing funding as a consequence for something they did not want to do in the first place does not seem like much of a consequence and has broader ramifications for people needing access to care. 

    What Can We Do? 

    The question is not if abortion is legal in Canada, it is. Instead, the conversation needs to be about access, accountability and reducing stigma. 

    Access 

    Information pertaining to abortion access in Alberta is often misleading and at times contradictory. Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) website titled ‘Abortion Health Services’ is one example. The resource options at the site are minimal; they focus on external clinics and imply obtaining Mifepristone/Misoprostol for a medical abortion is only available through two clinics in Alberta, which is incorrect. (11) There is a newer AHS website titled “Abortion” that better explains abortion options in Alberta. (12) The issue is that both pages appear when searching Google. There needs to be clarity around availability and choice and information needs to be accurate and accessible. 

    For people living in rural areas, there needs to be more accessible options. Having to travel to receive an abortion is costly and is an unnecessary barrier. There needs to be special consideration for access to marginalized groups and consideration of lived experiences. We need to have meaningful conversations around ways in which access is expanded and barriers can be reduced.  

    Accountability 

    The issue of physicians or facilities not providing certain reproductive health services is a problem. While practitioners and pharmacists have the right to “conscientious objection,” they are required by their professional bodies to ensure that the human being coming into their office has other options for care which means referring them to someone who will not object.  

    The Canada Health Act exists for a reason. The federal government needs to ensure provinces comply. Provinces must be held accountable as they are responsible for providing access; while Health Canada states that financial investments into sexual and reproductive health “reflect our belief that women have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and that no matter who you are or where you live, we will always protect reproductive rights for all individuals in Canada,”(Health Canada, 2022) it means little if people cannot access the resources they need to support those same decisions.  

    Reduce Stigma and Shame 

    People who are considering, experiencing, or recovering from an abortion should be supported in their decision physically and mentally. There are many myths surrounding abortion and this creates barriers of misinformation.  

    Abortion should be de-stigmatized and seen as an important component of sexual and reproductive health rather than something to be ashamed of.  

    It is imperative that these conversations continue to happen because there will always be people trying to suppress and/or eliminate the rights. People in positions of power and privilege have a responsibility to ensure that rights are protected for the marginalized. 

     

    Resources About Abortion: 

    Alberta Abortion Resource Network 

    https://www.albertaabortionaccess.com/

    Abortion Clinics in Alberta 

    https://www.albertaabortionaccess.com/clinics-in-alberta 

    Abortion Clinics and Resources in Canada 

    https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/list-abortion-clinics-canada.pdf 

    About Abortion 

    https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=tw1040 

    Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights: Common Myths About Abortion

    https://www.actioncanadashr.org/campaigns/common-myths-about-abortion 

     

    References: 

    1. McClain, E. & Huberfeld. N. (2022, June 24). Roe overturned: What you need to know about the Supreme Court abortion decision. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/roe-overturned-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-supreme-court-abortion-decision-184692?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20June%2025-26%202022&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20June%2025-26%202022+CID_cf957f25141a8f31a0b9164d8b0a79ff&utm_source=campaign_monitor_ca&utm_term=Roe%20overturned%20What%20you%20need%20to%20know%20about%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20abortion%20decision Government of Canada. (2021). The Canadian Constitution. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/just/05.html  
    2. Flowers, P. (June 24, 2022) US Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade – but for abortion opponents, this is just the beginning. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/us-supreme-court-overturns-roe-v-wade-but-for-abortion-opponents-this-is-just-the-beginning-185768?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20June%2025-26%202022&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20June%2025-26%202022+CID_cf957f25141a8f31a0b9164d8b0a79ff&utm_source=campaign_monitor_ca&utm_term=US%20Supreme%20Court%20overturns%20Roe%20v%20Wade%20%20but%20for%20abortion%20opponents%20this%20is%20just%20the%20beginning 
    3. Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC). (June, 2022). Position paper #66 Why we do NOT need to enshrine abortion rights into law. https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/66-dont-enshrine-abortion-rights-into-law.pdf
    4. National Abortion Federation of Canada. (2022). History of Abortion in Canada. https://nafcanada.org/history-abortion-canada/ 
    5. Government of Canada, (2020). Canada Health Act. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/canada-health-care-system-medicare/canada-health-act.html 
    6. Smith, MD. (2022, June 28). Canada has no abortion right law. Does it need one? CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada-abortion-law-1.6503899 
    7. Alberta College of Pharmacy. (2019). Guidelines for dispensing Mifegymiso®  https://abpharmacy.ca/sites/default/files/Guidelines_Mifegymiso.pdf 
    8. Yousif, N. (2019, January 19). Rural Albertans still have ‘no choices’ when it comes to abortions, activists say. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2019/01/19/rural-albertans-still-have-no-choices-when-it-comes-to-abortions-activists-say.html 
    9. Health Canada (2022, May 11). Government of Canada strengthens access to abortion services. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2022/05/government-of-canada-strengthens-access-to-abortion-services.html 
    10. Alberta Health Services. (n.d.). Abortion health services. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?Id=1003402 
    11. MyHealthAlberta. (2022). Abortion. Alberta Health Services. https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=tw1040 

                           

                           

                           

                           

                           

                           

                           

                           

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                        1. fACT Sheet — WINning: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Opening a Women’s Shelter

                          fACT Sheet — WINning: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Opening a Women’s Shelter

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                          Introduction

                          To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of what would become known as WIN House (Women in Need), a new book by Marsha Mildon, WINning: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Opening a Women’s Shelter, was released in June 2020. The book chronicles the storied history of how the women’s shelter movement took hold in Edmonton. In the late 1960s, a group of concerned citizens came together to start what was a new concept at the time: a dedicated women’s shelter to serve as a safe place. First for any single woman in need, then opening to women with children who were living in unsafe conditions—such as those experiencing intimate partner violence (physical, mental, or emotional)—and had nowhere to go. The Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) played an important role in helping to establish the shelter, which included administrative and staffing support.

                          More information about the book, including how to order, can be found here: http://www.enable.org/winning/

                          The following is a timeline of notable events and developments that mark the history of WIN House.

                          Spring 1968: Daisy Wilson, Diocesan President of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), reads an article in the Edmonton Journal about the plight of girls and women (particularly Indigenous women) arriving at the bus and train stations, especially late in the evening, having no contacts, no resources, and no place to stay.

                          May 1968: Daisy speaks out about her concern for these women at the CWL’s Social Action Committee meeting, the Women’s Inter-Church Council’s meeting, as well as the YWCA—who tell her that housing these women is not in their mandate.

                          June 20, 1968: YWCA hosts a meeting with 28 organizations, agencies, and concerned citizens in attendance.  A decision is made to do some research on the issue.

                          1969: The Mossman Report is completed, which explored the needs of transient women, services currently available, and what additional services may be needed.

                          November 29, 1969: All Saints Anglican Cathedral offers space in their basement and bell tower for a three-month trial run. Lynn Hannley and Bettie Hewes from ESPC are involved in the planning process from the beginning working alongside the YWCA, which was the umbrella organization for the first four months.

                          January 23, 1970:  The Overnight Shelter for Women opens with donations from church and community groups. The Junior League is the largest donor, providing $500 a month.

                          May 1, 1970: ESPC takes over from the YWCA as the umbrella organization for Edmonton Women’s Shelter (EWS), under the guidance of Bettie Hewes, Executive Director of ESPC.

                          July 1, 1970: The Women’s Emergency Shelter moves to a former pawn shop location on 101 Street and 102 Avenue on a monthly rental basis.

                          Note: The Edmonton Women’s Shelter used a variety of names—including the Edmonton Women’s Emergency Shelter, Overnight Shelter for Women, or Edmonton Women’s Overnight Shelter—as it was being established.

                          August 31, 1971: The shelter moves to a city-owned house in the 102 block of 108 Street.

                          May 1, 1973: Another move, this time to the 103 block of 101 Street – a second store front location.

                          July 1, 1973: A three-storey house on 98 Avenue in the river valley is rented to use as Sheltered Accommodation to shelter women who needed “acceptance and safe time to figure out what they might do next” (i.e. longer term users).

                          By this point, EWS had spent nearly 5 years moving the shelter around downtown Edmonton from one rental to another, including city owned properties.

                          September 26, 1973: A non-profit corporation is registered as Edmonton Women’s Shelter Ltd. The EWS officially becomes its own entity. ESPC is no longer the umbrella organization, but continues to provide advice and support.

                          September 30, 1974: EWS closes due to a lack of suitable accommodation.

                          October 30, 1974: The Government of Alberta announces funding for the Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (e4c) to operate a service for transient women. This shelter becomes the Women’s Emergency Accommodation Centre (WEAC) and is now the responsibility of e4c—an organization of white male Protestant ministers. WEAC opened in October 1974.

                          January 15, 1975: WEAC has official public opening in the renovated Immigration Building.

                          1975—76: The original EWS group is devastated but continues to meet and research what to do for women next.

                          May 1977: EWS announces their new project is a shelter for battered* mothers and their children. They enter the family violence field.

                          *Note: The use of battered, although now dated and potentially triggering, reflects the terminology of the era and is used here contextually.

                          May 1, 1978: Clifford E. Lee Foundation offers $100,000 for the purchase of a house for EWS.

                          September 1978: Clifford E. Lee Foundation purchases a house and leases it to EWS for 10 years at $1 a year.

                          December 6, 1978: WIN House I opens and is quickly at capacity. This is the first Women’s Shelter in Alberta that specializes in taking in women with their children.

                          Atonement Home offers space to overflow applicants from WIN House. Eventually, the Franciscan Sisters open Lurana Shelter—the second shelter for battered women and children in Edmonton. One EWS board member becomes chair of their advisory committee.

                          Note: Catholic Social Services will assume full operational responsibility for Lurana Shelter by April 1, 2021.

                          April 1980: Ronald Dyck, University of Alberta academic, is hired to study the actual needs of battered women.

                          July 11, 1980: Dyck’s report and recommendations are released. An EWS Expansion committee begins work on the design and construction of housing that is deemed suitable to their clients’ needs.

                          May 1982: An anonymous donor covers the cost of building WIN House II—the first purpose-built shelter for women and children in Canada.

                          November 12, 1982: WIN House II is opened with no mortgage thanks to community donors.

                          1983: Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (eight shelters and one second stage housing, which provides housing and supports for women who have left abusive relationships as they make plans for independent living) is incorporated. EWS ex-president becomes president.

                          1984: The EWS Board researches and proposes another second stage housing project.

                          1985: The EWS Board determines that a separate organization should take on this housing project.

                          1986: WINGS (Women In Need Growing Stronger) second stage housing is formed, supported by the Sisters of Providence with a number of former EWS board members.

                          1987: EWS hires ESPC to evaluate service and organization. ESPC recommends a move from a hands-on board to a governance board. Over the next few years, EWS manages this change in structure.

                          1985—1989: EWS studies the abuse of the elderly and initiates EARS (Elderly Adult Resource Service).

                          1990: EARS and Catholic Social Services collaborate to work on providing this service.

                          2006: A building is purchased for the EWS office.

                          2008: Studies and research continue on what the needs of women experiencing family violence are.

                          2009: A four-bedroom house is purchased to shelter immigrant, refugee, and women escaping human trafficking.

                          2010: WIN House III opens. It is the first house world-wide to focus on the needs of immigrant women.

                          2013: WIN House III closes due to funding shortfalls.

                          November 2014: WIN House III re-opens in thanks to a large private donation and increased funding from the government. The donor family asks that the shelter be named Carol’s House.

                           

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                          • 2005 Sex Work Rights

                             

                            Title:Sex, work, rights: reforming Canadian criminal laws on prostitution.
                            Corporate Author: Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
                            Subject:Crime – general|split|Exploitation – sex trade|split|Health issues – AIDSPublisher:Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
                            Place of Publication:Toronto
                            Date of Publication:2005
                            Abstract:

                            A series of fact sheets on criminalization of sex work and AIDS.

                            Table Of Contents:

                            Includes: 1. Decriminalizing sex work(ers): law reform to protect health and human rights 2. Sex workers and HIV/AIDS: stigma, discrimination and vulnerability 3. Prostitution offences in the Criminal Code 4. Enforcing marginalization, undermining safety: the impact of the criminal law on sex workers 5. Regulating prostitution beyond the criminal law 6. Sex workers and international human rights 7. Sex work and women’s rights 8. Sex workers and the Charter 9. New Zealand and Sweden: two models of reform 10. Essential resources

                            Language:English
                             
                            Material Type:Fact Sheet

                            G. LAW-CRIME/G.06 WOMEN/2005 sex_work_rights.pdf

                          • 1993 November Street Prostitution in Edmonton

                            Title:Street prostitution in Edmonton
                            Corporate Author: Edmonton Social Planning Council
                            Subject:Exploitation – sex trade
                            Publisher:Edmonton Social Planning Council
                            Place of Publication:Edmonton
                            Date of Publication:1993
                            Language:English
                            Material Type:Report

                            G. LAW-CRIME/G.06 WOMEN/1993 November Street Prostitution in Edmonton.pdf