Empowering Women Through Mental and Physical Health
Submitted by Twila MacDonald
The CUPE Nova Scotia Women’s Conference, Empowering Women Through Mental and Physical Health, was held on March 6, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 pm. The conference brought together union members and leaders to recognize the importance of women’s leadership and solidarity across the labour movement. The event created a supportive space for participants to reflect on the challenges women face while celebrating the strength, resilience, and contributions of women within CUPE and the broader community.
The conference began with greetings from several leaders within the labour movement. Participants viewed a welcome video from Candace Rennick, who acknowledged the ongoing work of women in unions and the importance of collective action in advancing equity. Opening remarks were also shared by Alan Linkletter, President of CUPE Nova Scotia, along with Sherry Hiller, Tracey Pinder, and Annick Desjardins. Each speaker highlighted the importance of supporting women’s leadership within unions, advocating for workplace equity, and continuing the fight for safe and healthy working conditions for all members.
Following the opening remarks, an Equality Statement was read, reinforcing CUPE’s commitment to inclusion, respect, and equity for all members. A Land Acknowledgement recognized the traditional and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples, reminding participants of the importance of reconciliation and the responsibility of unions to support Indigenous rights and justice.
The conference also recognized International Women’s Day, honouring the global movement for women’s rights and gender equality. As part of this recognition, the Bread and Roses poem was read aloud, reflecting the historic struggle of women workers for both fair wages and dignity. Participants then observed a moment of silence to honour the victims of domestic violence, acknowledging the ongoing impact of gender based violence in communities and workplaces.
A keynote-style presentation was delivered by Patricia Perry, who spoke about her experience attending the 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters. Her presentation, Activism Down Under, highlighted the global efforts of women’s shelters and advocates working to end violence against women. She shared insights from international conversations about survivor support, prevention strategies, and the importance of collaboration across countries and organizations. Her reflections emphasized how local activism connects to global movements advocating for safety and justice for women.
The latter portion of the conference focused on interactive and creative activities that encouraged connection, relaxation along with community building among participants. Members engaged in canvas and rock painting, tie blanket making and also casual activities such as crosswords and word searches. These activities supported the conference theme by promoting mental wellness and peer connection in a supportive environment.
Overall, the CUPE Nova Scotia Women’s Conference was a meaningful event that celebrated women’s contributions to the labour movement while highlighting the importance of mental and physical health. Through reflection, learning and shared activities, participants strengthened their sense of solidarity and renewed their commitment to advocating for equity and wellbeing for women in workplaces and communities.