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
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.
Guest Speaker List:
-Jennie Stevens, MPP.
-Laura Ip, Niagara Regional Councillor.
-Yolanda McClean, CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer
Additional speakers TBA .
The Executive Committee voted to send four women (and those who identify as women) to this event. There are three spots left – first-come, first-served.
If you are interested in attending the Women Rising Event, please reach out to Phil Wachel, President: president@cupe4207.org