The ongoing commitment to ensure women’s voices are heard
Our Advocacy Work, Valuing Women and Women in politics
March 15th, 2023Published in the Toronto Star Decades of research make clear that ensuring women’s voices are integrated into decision-making in every arena delivers better outcomes. Women are being silenced, violated and gaslit. And not just in Sarah Polley’s brilliant, Oscar-nominated film, “Women Talking.” In recent weeks, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Scotland First […]
read more...The ongoing commitment to ensure women’s voices are heardHow to stop using filler words in media interviews
Uncategorized
February 28th, 2023In recent months, I’ve been fortunate to interact with activist teens, graduate engineering students, aspiring journalists and international development researchers. Intelligent, industrious and energetic, they’ve left me inspired by their intellectual gifts and commitment to making the world a better place. I think many may also be extremely articulate, but that’s a harder call. Because […]
read more...How to stop using filler words in media interviewsHow to write an effective cover letter
Effective Communication and Improve your Writing
January 30th, 2023What’s the number 1 rule of persuasion? “Make it easy for people to do what you want.” A crucial corollary to that is “Craft your communication with the audience you’re trying to influence in mind.” Here’s what that means if you’re applying for a well-paid, senior level job that specifies the need for someone with […]
read more...How to write an effective cover letterWhat we can learn from Jacinda Ardern
Women in politics
January 30th, 2023Chutzpah and humility are a rare but precious combination. It takes the first to run for Prime Minister at 37. It takes the second to have the self-awareness to bow out after six years — despite earning international accolades for leading through a pandemic, mass murder and volcanic eruption — because you’ve candidly assessed your […]
read more...What we can learn from Jacinda ArdernOnline hate that targets women is a threat to democracy itself
Our Advocacy Work
January 10th, 2023Published in the Ottawa Citizen Women are now being subjected not just to insults and demeaning comments but to vicious lies, doctored images and sexual and violent intimidation. Elon Musk isn’t responsible for how unappealing public life has become for even ambitious women. But the billionaire’s ascension to Twitter’s c-suite and his reinstatement of some […]
read more...Online hate that targets women is a threat to democracy itself“Call out” versus “invite in”
Effective Communication
January 10th, 2023I’m in awe of #GretaThunberg. It was her climate activism that first got my attention, of course. But last week her masterful smackdown of the a**hole kickboxer now arrested on human trafficking charges cemented my hero worship: Her understanding of toxic masculinity…! Her wicked sense of humour…! Her economic use of language…! “yes, please do […]
read more...“Call out” versus “invite in”The “verbal attack” on Chrystia Freeland deters us all
Our Advocacy Work
August 31st, 2022Does watching the video footage of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and her female colleagues being verbally attacked by a 250-pound belligerent bully make your heart race? (You’re probably a woman.) Although my own political confrontation with an angry and self-righteous crowd happened more than 20 years ago, and my boss was the object of […]
read more...The “verbal attack” on Chrystia Freeland deters us allIf it can happen to Lisa Laflamme… (and what you can do)
Diversity Belonging + Inclusion and Our Advocacy Work
August 23rd, 2022When Lisa Laflamme’s predecessor Lloyd Robertson signed off CTV’s nightly broadcast, he used to say, “And that’s the kind of day it’s been.” Which — to someone invested in media literacy — seemed inadvertently misleading. Because journalism, even at its best, is still a series of subjective decisions, every one of which is influenced by […]
read more...If it can happen to Lisa Laflamme… (and what you can do)For Charlotte’s sake, say NO to the status quo
Our Advocacy Work
August 9th, 2022Charlotte, light of my life, is 7. Her fearless physicality, fierce devotion to her brothers, and clarity about her artist’s soul… these are just three of the things that make my heart ache when I think about the many ways the world she is inheriting will fail to deliver what she deserves. But one of […]
read more...For Charlotte’s sake, say NO to the status quoRemembering Inspirational Feminist Advocate, Shirley Greenberg
Our Advocacy Work
May 30th, 2022The staff and board of Informed Opinions join all of Ottawa, many thousands of women, and the extended Greenberg family in mourning the passing of Shirley Greenberg. An inspirational feminist advocate, role model and philanthropist, her generosity has made — and continues to make — a profound difference in the lives of countless women. […]
read more...Remembering Inspirational Feminist Advocate, Shirley Greenberg