On April 16, 420 partygoers arrived at The Carlu, in Toronto, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund. Called “An Evening for Equality,” the celebration included a cocktail reception, a three-course dinner and a keynote speech from award-winning journalist Tanya Talaga. The event also raised more than $422,000 to support LEAF’s work in law reform, public education and strategic litigation—all of which advance the rights of women, girls, and trans and non-binary people.
“It is truly remarkable to be in a room of over 400 dedicated LEAF supporters,” said Pam Hrick, the organization’s executive director and general counsel, in her remarks to the crowd. She went on to observe that many people in the room “have served as LEAF board members, staff, counsel, branch executive members and volunteers. We truly have representation at every facet of LEAF’s past, present and future.”
Hrick also highlighted LEAF’s vital role in society today. “We have seen how rising tides of misogyny and anti-trans hatred have impacted the rights, dignity and safety of some of the most marginalized in Canada,” she said. “We cannot be complacent.”
At the end of her speech, Hrick introduced Talaga as the keynote speaker. “Tanya is an acclaimed author, journalist and filmmaker of Anishinaabe and Polish descent, and a member of Fort William First Nation,” she said. “We are honoured to hear directly from Tanya tonight.”
In her address, Talaga applauded LEAF’s decades-long legacy. “You guys are amazing,” she said. “Forty years—forty years! Wow.” Talaga both recognized the women who have combatted sexism in the courts and called on the legal talent in attendance to continue the battle.
Throughout the keynote, she cited a broad range of issues that warrant action. “We are fighting still something called the second-generation cut-off, which means that my daughter’s children cannot be counted as an Indian under the eyes of the law if she marries a white man,” she said. “That’s something that we still have to fight for.” At another point, she urged the audience “to stand up for the Calls for Justice” in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. “We have so far to go,” said Talaga. “We need your help. We are still fighting. Stand with us.”