A couple of weeks ago, I had a great time at a local TEDWomen event hosted by TEDxTheAnnexWomen.The event gave us an opportunity to hear from many local women who are making a difference in our community. As well as, women who are inspiring others to get involved and keep the MOMENTUM going.
Prior to the event, I connected with a fellow attendee via social media. Her name is Jennifer Dawson. She teaches at Seneca College; is also a Marathon Runner, and all around fun person.
We agreed to meet at the event and share in the experience together. Post event, I asked Jennifer if she could answer a few questions to recap her thoughts about TEDxTheAnnexWomen’s MOMENTUM. Here’s what Jennifer shared with me.
HM: What were your reasons to attend TEDxWomen events?
Jennifer: I have been to TEDtalks in the previous years and I have always found them to be inspiring and motivating. When I heard about TEDxTheAnnexWomen I knew that I had to attend. I like the idea that the event is geared towards a community and the fact that I am also an Annex resident made me even more enticed to attend. I highly recommend the event!
HM: Any highlights from the speakers?
JD: Naz Gocek a Feminist advocate and 16 year old, high school student from Toronto presented her talk on “The F Word” which resonated a lot with me. I find that people often say they are all for equal rights and yet they would not like to admit that they are feminists because of all of the negative connotations that go along with it. At the age of sixteen I felt she did an amazing talk and I would love to see her speak again in 5 years.
Another highlight from the day was hearing Yvonne Bambrick an author, and Urban Cycling consultant. She had an interesting perspective on bicycling around the city. Furthermore, it is amazing to note that more women are cycling in 2015 than ever before. I related to this speaker as well because I walk, bike, run to all of my destinations as I do not have a vehicle in the city and find it very therapeutic arriving to my destinations without public transport as I grew up in the country and was never able to do so before.
HM: What is your MOMENTUM?
JD: My MOMENTUM after the TEDxWOMEN [event] was realizing that I always want to surround myself with people who want to make a difference. After the TEDxWOMEN talks I was inspired to write a poem on Feminism and what it means to me. I have always been a writer and was always a little intimidated to write poetry. I hope that we can continue the conversation from TEDxWOMEN and keep the momentum going strong.
I have to say Jennifer’s highlights of the event are also some of mine. What is great about TEDxTheAnnexWomen’s MOMENTUM is that each one of us came away with a very unique experience. At the same time, we all left inspired, in awe, and motivated by all the great speakers we met.
And the MOMENTUM is still happening. I will have more highlights from the event in a subsequent interview with another wonderful woman I met at TEDxTheAnnexWomen. Come back to this site to find out more!
*Photo of Jennifer Dawson and I by Shaghayegh Tajvidi.
