Post Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot Concert

 Saturday April 13, 2024

Our first live event in 4 years, attracted a full house to the  Unitarian Universalist Congregation hall on the Danforth.   Jordan Klapman and Aidan Mason entertained close to 200 Gordon Lightfoot followers with a wonderful historical presentation about Lightfoot’s career, throwing in some little known gems of information about his personal life.  Video clips from over the years brought our icon from Orillia, Ontario to life. In the second half of the show, Jordan and Aidan entertained with vocal renditions of many of Lightfoot’s favourites.

The venue was lovely, providing more than enough space for all our needs including over 50 generously donated and beautiful silent auction items.  

Wine sponsor, South African Wines, poured everyone a glass of wine to be enjoyed with delicious snacks provided by  many of our own enthusiastic volunteers.  We thank our grandmother and grand other volunteers for all that they did.  We couldn’t have done it without you.

We especially offer our heartfelt thanks to the young volunteers who lost no time in helping set up for the event. They lifted, moved and dragged when the rest of us couldn’t.

It goes without saying how much we  appreciate our generous sponsors and donors and last but not least we applaud our 200 supporters, many of whom made the long drive downtown but raved about the event afterwards. 

Gordon Lightfoot was Canada’s greatest troubadour - his beautiful music was hugely influential in defining the sound of 1960’s and 70’s folk/pop internationally.

Donations are always welcome, click the link

Donation link to SLF

What our audience said about our event:

I recently attended the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot and it was, quite simply, a wonderful evening - loads of fun!  The whole evening was very well organized from ticket sales right up to collecting the items I won during the silent auction.  The grandmothers set the tone for a very friendly and relaxing evening for everyone and the food at the reception was plentiful and delicious, including all the dessert goodies. 

The Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot was very special for me and for others in the audience - it brought back warm and exciting memories of many long-ago visits during the '60s to the Riverboat in Yorkville and also a Gordie Lightfoot concert I attended in Halifax in 1971. 

 Regarding the auction, I was so impressed with the range of items, including the baskets and the African art work.  I love what I won, particularly  a beautiful hand woven African basket.  I'll be back next year for the whole event - just let me know when it is scheduled. 

______________________________

The evening sponsored by your wonderful organization "Grandmothers for Africa" was a delight.  The location was very easy to find and I am not a downtown person.  As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by happy enthusiastic people and told exactly where to go.  There was even an elevator to the second floor which I certainly appreciated.  We immediately found our friends (whom we had invited to come) and they had saved us a couple of very comfortable seats.  After we put down our coats, we wandered around and were so impressed with the range of beautiful items the group procured for the silent auction.  Of course, we had to bid on a couple of lovely paintings and then were drawn in by a hand-braided pot made by the women in Africa.  We bid on the paintings as a pair and were lucky enough to get them.  The pot, alas, went to someone who had bid higher, but there's always next year.

The work that went into arranging this evening was evident everywhere.  The auction setup in general was fabulous.  Next, we scouted out the refreshments.  We had each been given a ticket for wine (South African wine graciously donated for the cause).  There were assorted nibbles and later some lovely homemade pastries.  

Then came the entertainment, Jordan Clapman and Aidan Mason  performing a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot.  What a treat!  First Jordan showed some slides and told us about the early life of Lightfoot.  It was very interesting.  In the second half, after a 15-minutes intermission we heard music.  We knew most of the songs and quietly sang along (I sing silently, because although I love music, I cannot carry a tune at all).
__________________________________

Everyone I talked to really enjoyed the evening! It was such a lovely space and I saw many people mouthing the words and tapping their knees. When I talked to Jordan at the end of the evening, he put it perfectly 'He said it had a “Heymishe” atmosphere.

________________________________________________________________________________

Tea, Scones and Malaria

On March 9, 2023 was the last installment of our Explore Southern African, 3 Event Series. It was a Book Talk between GPA member Lesley Block and author Katlynn Brooks about her book  TEA, SCONES AND MALARIA.

Testimonials

I really enjoyed Katlynn’s book review with such openness about her childhood in Zimbabwe.
Thank you for an extraordinary presentation.

Another successful and enjoyable fundraiser. It was fascinating to hear about Katlynn’s most unusual childhood and upbringing. Thank you to Leslie for her interesting interview of Katlynn and to everyone involved for their hard work and support. I really enjoyed the uplifting and engaging musical finale.

Congratulations to all involved! A lovely book review with Katlynn Brooke. It was very enjoyable to listen to her recount the adventures of her childhood and her life in the Zimbabwe Bush. Kudos to all our supporters including members of our own Grandmothers Partnering with Africa Group for the incredible amount of fundraising.

It really was a pleasure to be a part of your lecture series. You were all very organized and all three events were so unique and interesting. Katlynn was remarkable and I appreciated her honesty. 

Flavours Inspired by Southern Africa Cuisine

On February 16, 2023 as part of our Explore Southern African 3 Event Series, Evis Chirowamhangu and Carole Ferrari gave us a fascinating baking demonstration.

Participants watching this unique baking demonstration had the opportunity to learn many insider tips from two talented artisan bakers.

Evis Chirowamhangu filled a void in the Toronto food scene when she opened Mnandi Pies. As she shared her tips on how to make a favourite Zimbabwean dish, we also learned about her early years, circled around the fire cooking with her Mother. For her, the pies are memories of home. Adaptations are made here in Canada for ingredients such as substituting kale for pumpkin leaves with delicious results.

Carole Ferrari offered her extensive knowledge on quality ingredients and best methods for making the pie dough. The owner/baker/miller of Motherdough Mill & Bakery showed us how to transform whole grain flour into pastry with a masterful command of the rolling pin. Her commitment to improving food supply and security added many insights beyond the pie preparation.

The rapport between them was an added bonus.

Recipes were shared afterwards for experimenting at home. These two inspiring entrepreneurs both offer their quality baked products for purchase- businesses worthy of our support.

Testimonials

Thank you Evis for sharing your Zimbabwean culture and inspiring me to try making this delicious sounding pie. Thanks Carole for demonstrating making pastry, it gave me confidence to try. Thanks, Grandmothers, for hosting this wonderful event.

Thank you Evis. Delightful. Love your passion.

“A labour of love” That shone through all of you. Great series. Congratulations.

Thank you for supporting grass roots women owned and operated local businesses! Shop local!

Evis and Carole are down to earth, big-hearted, and resilient. They make food with love.

Congratulations on your event. It was very interesting.

From Hope to Despair:

On January 26, 2023 as part of our Explore Southern Africa 3 Events Series, Judge Dennis Davis gave us an informative talk on the journey from the magic of Nelson Mandela to the constitutional democracy 25 years later.

This lecture was thought provoking and a unique opportunity to interact with an internationally recognized and prolific South African jurist and author, and to get a better understanding of South Africa’s struggles and why it has failed to live up to Nelson Mandela’s vision.

Judge Dennis Davis began by describing the evolution of Nelson Mandela’s conception of democracy, as rooted in the African culture of his rural upbringing, where every man’s voice was heard in decision making, regardless of their status. We gain insight into how Mandela’s ideology was influenced by the stories, customs and culture of his ancestors.

He provides context and locates proof of Mandela’s vision in the speeches provided during his trials, particularly the infamous Rivonia trial, which was less about guilt, and more about whether or not Mandela and his co-conspirators would be spared a death sentence. Justice Davis provides interesting insights, such as the fact that the judge presiding over the trial had pre-determined the issue against a death sentence on the basis that he had previously sentenced a person to death on evidence that was later proved (and fortunately before the execution was carried out) to have been manufactured.

Reading List

• The Mind of South Africa by Allister Sparks (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, N.Y., 1990)

  Summary: A new interpretation of Afrikaner nationalism and apartheid and an analysis of the country's social, economic, and political problems

• Tomorrow is Another Country: the Inside Story of South Africa's Road to Change by Allister Sparks (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1996)

  Summary: The companion to Allister Sparks's award-winning "The Mind of South Africa", this book is an account of the negotiating process that led to majority rule. It retells the story of the behind-the-scenes collaborations that started with a meeting between Kobie Coetsee and Nelson Mandela in 1985.

• Beyond the Miracle: Inside the New South Africa by Allister Sparks (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2009)

  Summary: "Beyond the Miracle," a provides a wide-ranging and unflinching account of the first nine years of democratic government in South Africa. Covering both the new regime's proud achievements and its disappointing failures, Allister Sparks looks to South Africa's future, asking whether it can overcome its history and current global trends to create a truly non-racial, multicultural, and multiparty democracy.

  Sparks sees South Africa as facing many of the same challenges as the rest of the world, especially a widening gap between rich and poor, exacerbated by the forces of globalization.

• The President's Keepers : those keeping Zuma in power and out of prison by Jacques Pauw (Tafelberg, Cape Town, 2017)

  Summary: Investigative journalist Jacques Pauw exposes the darkest secret at the heart of Jacob Zuma's compromised government: a cancerous cabal that eliminates the president's enemies and purges the law-enforcement agencies of good men and women. As Zuma fights for his political life following the 2017 Gupta emails leak, this cabal - the president's keepers - ensures that after years of ruinous rule, he remains in power and out of prison. But is Zuma the puppet master, or their puppet? Journey with Pauw as he explores the shadow mafia state. From KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape to the corridors of power in Pretoria and Johannesburg - and even to clandestine meetings in Russia. It's a trail of lies and spies, cronies, cash and kingmakers as Pauw prises open the web of deceit that surrounds the fourth president of the democratic era.

• Our poisoned land: living in the shadows of Zuma's keepers by Jacques Pauw (Tafelberg, Cape Town, 2022)

  Summary: Our Poisoned Land is Jacques Pauwʼs sequel to the The Presidentʼs Keepers which fearlessly exposed former president Jacob Zumaʼs darkest secrets. Our Poisoned Land is as riveting and explosive as its predecessor. When he took office in 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed new heads for law-enforcement agencies and formed the Investigating Directorate within the National Prosecuting Authority to bring fraudsters and looters to book. Yet, five years on, crime has spiked, the looters still walk free and the law-enforcement agencies are in shambles. What went wrong? Once again, Jacques Pauw delves deep to find answers

• Into the Heart of Darkness : Confessions of Apartheid's Assassins by Jacques Pauw (Jonathan Ball Publishers, Johannesburg, 2017)

  Summary: This book provides a very interesting view on South Africa's use of death squads which were used by both the police (Vlakplaas) and the military (Civil Co-operation Bureau) during the final stages of the apartheid era.

• Television Documentary Series: Have You Heard from Johannesburg? (Five television episodes shown on Independent Lens on PBS in 2012.)

Testimonials

A terrific / inspirational / depressing talk by Judge Davis I learned so much

It was terrific — excellent speaker, introducers/moderators, format. Hats off! So pleased to have attended. Great event!

Thanks to Judge Dennis Davis for his very thought provoking presentation and for being so generous with his time and knowledge

Want you to know I was moved to tears at the end. Don’t know when that has ever happened to me on a zoom call.

Thanks again for all of your organizing, outreach and recruiting for this event! And thanks to Judge Davis for sharing his expertise with us.

I really liked the movie at the end. It was so authentic and moving to listen to these very brave African women! We can see a huge positive change in them over the last few years!

Congratulations to all of you and those involved in organizing this insightful presentation. Judge Davis gave a very thorough and informative presentation. It is very worrisome that there are so many political issues currently in South Africa, not unlike many other countries in the world!

Bravo to all the presenters, you made it look so easy but I know it took time to prepare your speeches!

Thank you for organizing the event with Judge Davis….it was terrific---excellent speaker, introducers/moderators, format. Hats off! So pleased to have attended. Great event!

The Judge painted a gloomy picture of politics in South Africa. Too bad another Nelson Mandela hasn’t surfaced, particularly with Russia barking at the door.

Congratulations on a superb presentation with Judge Dennis Davis. His words were both informative and thought provoking. His insights into South Africa during Nelson Mandela’s era and what is going on today in the country were a revelation, quite disturbing and indicative of what is going on worldwide.

Thank you for your dedication, hours of preparation and a fine educational programme!

It was terrific. Really enjoyed it, very stimulating. Very sad to listen to a trajectory from hope to despair. The anti-apartheid struggle was the issue of my earlier political activity. It was great to listen to Judge Dennis fill in many blanks, even if it is such a disappointment.

I wholeheartedly agree! It was a wonderful presentation! Thank you to all for your hard work and commitment!

He was certainly excellent and did not disappoint. He shed new light on the Mandela period and although with less info he handled the downward spiral efficiently and honestly. He was certainly excellent and did not disappoint.

Thank you for offering this outstanding presentation. I anticipated that it would be worthwhile but it exceeded my exceptions. He did such an amazing job succinctly and clearly explaining what went wrong after Mandela and the current situation of the country. Congratulations on the programs you continue to offer.

I found Judge Davis to be erudite yet so humble. I love when you leave a presentation full of questions and ideas to research and follow-up. Thank you for introducing him to me.

Feeling Amazing

Appreciative participants involved in the two part series, “Feeling Amazing”, were able to support a great cause while investing in their own self care. The webinars featured two knowledgeable educators who offered timely strategies and practices on October 27 and November 10, 2022.

Tips for Nutrition, Exercise and Stress Management

In the first Webinar Dani Chenier shared her passion for holistic and healthy lifestyle choices. After starting out as a physical education teacher, she migrated to Naturopathic Medicine when diagnosed with an autoimmune illness. Building on Dani’s success with her own pain management and inflammation through naturopathy, she became a Naturopathic Practitioner, wellness educator and lifestyle coach.

Dani recommended that the first course of action is starting with your diet, exercise goals, stress management and environmental choices on a daily basis. Many of us needed her reminder tips and thus gained a manageable action list for moving forward. Dani’s extensive tool kit offered a number of ways to incorporate meaningful changes for our health and well-being. Check out her website

Testimonials

What a great event! Very enlightening & lots of food for thought! Dani’s knowledgeable but relaxed presentation was excellent.

Bravo! The event went so smoothly and Dani was delightful

I did enjoy the presentation. I found it lively and informative. I took lots of notes. And I liked her approach, emphasizing the importance of small changes in your diet and lifestyle. I already started making changes in my diet.

Fabulous seminar last night. I was so inspired that I am going to take before and after pictures

What a bright and engaging speaker.Everyone would benefit from listening to Dan

Feel Energized & Amazing Yoga

Trish Curling also started out as a teacher and transitioned to a yoga instructor, writer and personal trainer. She led the participants through a memorable yoga practice, offering adaptations based on ability and mobility. The class included yoga poses that were a good work out while relaxing and strengthening our bodies. Even though the class was online, she created a sense of community and a calm, supportive environment. Check out her website

Testimonials

I liked the way she connected the title (Feeling Amazing) to how the participants might be feeling.

Fine use of varied poses to cover all areas of the body

I was impressed with the way she handled the options and was able to do a very thorough class. Very thoughtful and caring lady!

She created such a calm and supportive environment and make teaching over Zoom seem effortless.

She made us very aware of how yoga poses can give our bodies a good workout while relaxing and strengthening the body.

I found Trish to be personable, warm, and gentle in her approach, and I liked her laugh!. I particularly appreciated her flexibility in being able to engage people with varying levels of ability and mobility --there was something for everyone!

A Tapestry of Food, Family & Forgiveness

On Thursday March 10, 2022 we listened to an on-line conversation between Nigerian/Canadian author, Francesca Ekwuyasi, and Donna Bailey Nurse, a well-known Canadian Literary critic. We were treated to an in-depth discussion about Francesca Ekwuyasi’s celebrated debut novel HONEY BUTTER PIG BREAD.

Donna Bailey Nurse was well prepared for the interview and knew the characters in Butter Honey Pig Bread intimately. The laughter filled exchange between Donna and Francesca had the participants feeling as if they were eavesdropping on a conversation in one of their homes. It was an energetic, informal exchange of reflections and personal insights about both participants’ lives and passions.

Francesca gave a fascinating interview describing the inspiration and process behind her first novel. She shared early influences in her growing up years in Nigeria. Donna noted the void of today’s examples of Black Canadian literature as an influence on her non-traditional Canadian/European writing style.

One of the unique elements of the book was food as a central motif. The menus and family mealtimes gave the readers a snapshot of Nigerian culture and family units.

The novel focused on spirituality, with one of the lead characters straddling between the spirit realm and human life. The plot rotated around a trauma with an underlying message about the intimacy of women.

Francesca considers herself a self taught artist. Thankfully we can expect many masterpieces to follow.

Testimonials

On December 2nd 2021, Mike Dailey once again shared his extensive music knowledge and insights at this unique zoom/video event. It was the debut of his presentation about Paul Simon’s Graceland album.

Paul went on to add others. One of the most fruitful collaborations that he made with South African musicians in this project was with the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He met Joseph Shabalala, who was the lead singer and composer of this group and they collaborated on two songs “Homeless” and “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes” performing in the Zulu tradition to his 1986 classic album Graceland. Mike explained the controversy around its creation and the concerts that followed during apartheid and gave us a greater understanding and appreciation of how Paul Simon used others’ music as a canvas for his lyrics.

Explore Africa – Travel

On Thursday May 27, 2021 Phillip Solomon Safari gave us an in-depth look at the origin and history of safari in East Africa and why it has become a bucket list experience for travelers. The presentation included an overview of the safari experience today as well as the annual migration and what the traveler can expect when visiting Kenya and Tanzania.

Philip’s passion for safaris made for an extraordinary armchair travel experience, complemented by exceptional photography.

We learned the origin of the word safari from Swahili. Sir Richard Burton’s contribution to the history of European/colonial influence on many African countries might be worth further exploring.

The differences in terrain, wildlife, migration patterns, accommodation and modes of travel had the audience pondering how to make this lifetime dream come true. And it was easy to see why the first safari might lead to many others.

He provided many insights into the uniqueness and diversity that Kenya and Tanzania offer. Recommendations included a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to see its efforts to return orphaned elephants back to their natural habitat. The Giraffe Manor looks like an amazing place to stay in an intimate setting with giraffes peering into the windows. Who knew there were so many kinds, each with their own distinctive patterns?

His conclusion outlined how the safari travel business is committed to using local employment and food, leading waste management and energy practices and investing in community projects.

Phillip Solomon

Phillip was born and educated in South Africa. His work responsibilities introduced him to the world of travel and his travel career was launched when he arrived in Canada. As the General Manager at Tourcan Vacations, Phillip travels to exotic destinations. He shares his vast experience with vacation planners through seminars and presentations. Travelling through Africa on safari and getting close to the flora and fauna are still his favourite adventures. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and joy with the attendees.

BOOKS

First Footsteps in East Africa – Richard E Burton

Burton – A Biography – Byron Farwell

Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton: A Biography – Edward Rice

Echo the Elephant - Cynthia Moss & Martyn Colbeck

Born Free – Joy Adamson

African Safari: Into the Great Game Reserves - Beverly Pickford

Whatever You Do, Don't Run – Peter Allison

LINKS:

www.elewanacollection.com/about-elewana/social-environmental-responsibility

www.childrensgardenhome.org

www.enrichinglivesinternational.com

www.tourcanvacations.com

Testimonials

The lucky winner of the draw for the large wooden giraffe at the Safari event was Nola Ayers from Saskatoon. Congratulations Nola! See letter & photo below

Hi Linda,

the giraffe arrived yesterday! It was so exciting to unwrap him and look into his eyes and ask him where in my house he would like to stand. He really liked the red wall in my dining area, so that is where he stands - so proud and majestic! Do you know what country he is from or any other information about him?

Thank-you again for your work on the Explore Africa series - I thoroughly enjoyed the Safari. In 2012 I travelled to South Africa and we enjoyed a day Safari - driving around in open jeeps and viewing many amazing animals.

In Solidarity,

Nola

Explore Africa – Art Lecture

On Thursday May 13, 2021 Arlene Kushnir shared her impressive knowledge of African art history with an extensive slide collection that allowed the audience to appreciate both the diversity and talent in many communities.

An ancient culture in Nigeria around the town of Nok created terra cotta sculpture from 1000 BC to 500 AD. A later culture in Ife, also in Nigeria, which lasted from the 12th to the 15th C created life like realistic portraits of their rulers in bronze and terra cotta.

In the 1500s, brass sculptural heads of the King or Oba depicted those with the divine right to rule in the Kingdom of Benin in West Africa. The pillars of the Oba’s palace were decorated with 1000 bronze plaques. Coral beads deemed to be filled with supernatural power were made into the King’s crown and neck collar. The King had royal art made from bronze, ivory, and wood. The arrival of English, Portuguese and Dutch traders lead to exchanges of tropical products like palm oil, leopard skins, pepper, ivory tusks and later rubber, for brass and copper bracelet manillas, guns, coral and also slaves. The Kingdom of Benin lasted from the 12th to the end of the 19th C.

A pair of male and female antelope hemet masks, the Chi Wara, representing the half antelope, half human being who taught the Bambara people of Mali to farm, are danced at the time of planting and harvesting of crops. Masks from Mali, the Congo and the Cote D’Ivoire and other places are danced in some villages to appease the spirits of nature, honor the ancestors and maintain the health and well-being of the community. In Ghana, the Ashanti used gold dust as their currency and weighed it using finely cast (brass) gold weights.

There is no word for art in most African languages though beauty is highly valued. Ninety-five per cent of African Art is now located in the United States and Europe. Efforts for restitution to Africa is ongoing but making minimal progress. A new generation of African artists like El Anatsui have established international acclaim.

Arlene Kushnir has degrees in the History of Art from York University, the University of Toronto and the Sorbonne in Paris. She has taught African Art History at York University and did field work in Central Africa. Arlene has been a Docent at the Art Gallery of Ontario for the past twenty years and she is a member of Grandmothers Partnering with Africa.

Testimonials

Explore Africa - Book Talk

Gaile Parkin, author of Baking Cakes in Kigali in conversation with Ruby Newman, April 29, 2021

The story behind the story

The audience for this exceptional virtual book event spanned Canada, the US, Mexico and Africa. The talented author, Gaile Parkin, joined in from Lisbon. Despite the distance, Ruby Newman transformed the interview into an animated discussion that made the participants feel engaged in the conversation. It included a special connection with Gaile’s goddaughter Lulu in Tanzania.

Before discussing the novel, Ruby explained that a student in her course on Women and Aging at York University gave her a copy of Baking Cakes in Kigali. Having completed graduate school, Vidya is now living in Mexico City. She attended the event & at the end of the session spoke about her coaching experience and creation of the Soul Sister Society, a non-profit global intergenerational sisterhood.

A book to make you laugh and cry with painful stories and a healing message

Gaile spent two years in Rwanda as a university lecturer and counsellor during its attempts to rebuild and create reconciliation after the horror of the genocide. After leaving Rwanda, she told, us, no one ever asked her about her experience, she suspects because they did not want to hear about the killings. Yet, she recalls many occasions there filled with laughter and the importance of celebrations to the Rwandan recovery. A number of years later, she began to formulate a novel to tell a different story, through the eyes of a Tanzanian grandmother aptly named “Angel”, living in Kigali.

Angel’s role in the expat community where she lives becomes more than the baker of cakes, for which she develops a widespread clientele. She is an insightful outsider. Her husband, Pius, a professor in Tanzania is on a consulting assignment. Having lost their two children, she and her husband find themselves raising their five grandchildren. They had planned for a family of two so they could afford to care for and educate them. The author shows us the personal impact of HIV and AIDS on generations, as well as a myriad of other social and cultural issues in this community where Angel lives and works.

Gaile was born in Zambia and has lived in many parts of Africa. She enriches the book with her knowledge of diverse cultures and local languages. Each time someone orders a cake from Angel for a celebration, we learn more about the lives of residents of their compound and the broader community. Angel provides sage advice and a path to an improved future.

Those who participated felt like we too had shared in cake and tea and a healing experience like those that Angel offered.

After the book discussion Megan Karges and Karimi Ikuta from the Stephen Lewis Foundation made an interesting presentation about the Womens Network in Rwanda, one of the grassroots partners supported by the Foundation.

Gaile Parkin

Gaile was born and raised in Zambia and studied at universities in South Africa and England. She has lived in many different parts of Africa, including Rwanda, where her novel Baking Cakes in Kigali is set. She spent two years in Rwanda as a VSO volunteer at the new university doing a wide range of work: teaching, mentoring, writing learning materials, working with the campus clinic to counsel students with HIV/AIDS, and doing gender advocacy and empowerment work. Evenings and weekends, she counselled women and girls who were survivors. For the last 5 years she has been living & teaching in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ruby Newman, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Ruby is an Associate Professor of Humanities in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies at York University, Toronto. She holds a PhD in Comparative literature and has done extensive research into women and oral narratives including working with Ethiopian emigres to Israel.

Ruby has been facilitating book clubs in Toronto for over 40 years. Five GPWA members enjoy participating in one of these groups.

Testimonials

Together in Concert:

Online concert fundraiser

In Solidarity with AfricanGrandmothers

On April 15 2021, 160 Grandmother Groups across the country joined together to host an exciting virtual concert of well-known artists & performers. The event was launched to mark the 15th anniversary of the Grandmothers Campaign.

The 90-minute concert of music, dance, storytelling, and drumming featured Steven Page, Jackie Richardson, National Ballet of Canada, David Myles, Stratford Festival, Sheree Fitch and Stephen Lewis Foundation Speakers. Learn More

The concert was given well deserved rave reviews. It was indeed “a tapestry of talent” from acclaimed artists across Canada.

Four members from GPWA volunteered to be on the Concert Committee & played a big part in making it such a big success.

Maxine found the experience “meaningful, positive, invaluable and collaborative.” Great new skills were learned collaborating with extraordinary women from across the country. She was on the Program Committee whose goal was to “create a true tapestry of Canadian artistry and diversity.” She was also involved with script writing, hosting, & liaising with Jackie Richardson and her agent and with the media (Globe & Mail reporter).

Angela was very involved as one of the hosts, including being responsible for the French introductions. Her theatre background helped her work behind the scenes on the licensing needed for working with musicians and other performers, agents and public companies. Angela appreciated working with so many “amazing, talented women and men.”

Dagmar very much enjoyed the experience of working with this group of wonderful, enterprising women from across Canada. She was primarily involved in establishing the Technical team. This involved developing a process of recruitment, screening, interviewing, & selection of the concert Video Producer/ Editor. Through this initiative, Dagmar became somewhat of a messenger to the larger group. She received guidance from various resources about the need for social media promotion, and the need for a production/ performance liaison. These two concepts were incorporated into the overall planning, and became integral to the success of the event.

Linda described her role as “small” but enjoyed participating, and watching the growth of the concert as it developed from an idea created by Maxine, to a cross country, virtual concert that linked all Granny groups - big and small. So much talent and collaboration has resulted in $125,000 + being raised to support African grandmothers. Part of Linda’s role was to keep track of all the donations.

Thank you to all our hardworking volunteers!

Click below to see the April 15 front page article from the Globe & Mail about the concert.

GLOBE & MAIL ARTICLE

Somali / Fusion Dinner - Online Cook Event

Second event in our Explore Africa Series - unique and delicious food

Background

The owners of Xawaash Restaurants shared their love of the diverse palate of Somalia in this unique, online cooking class. Their commentary during the informative demonstration encouraged the participants to appreciate Somali culture through its food. Cooking the meal infused our homes with a delightful aroma of spices. Xawaash is a Yemeni word for a spice mixture consisting of cumin, turmeric, cardamom, black pepper and for certain dishes cinnamon.

Abdullahi Kassim and Leila Adde first created a food blog and a popular YouTube channel to capture family recipes that were relayed orally and not collected in cookbooks. The husband and wife team then opened their first popular restaurant in 2015 in Etobicoke. A second one followed in Missisauga, also based on their signature commitment to fusion flavours using fresh ingredients and a balance of aromatic spices. In order to contribute to Youth Employment programs they prefer to train inexperienced youth to be chefs in-house. They demonstrated their expertise by giving many tips on knife skills, prep and use of tools and spices we can use everyday in our kitchens.

The Main Event- the Menu

The demonstration started with mixing the Puff Puff dough, later fried into a donut like dessert that is popular with afternoon tea. The Puff Puffs were easy to make and could be the star of any meal.

Our main course was a delicious fish dish with a coconut curry sauce that adapts well to substitutes such as shrimp, chicken or tofu. The great chemistry between Abdullahi and Leila guided us through preparing the fragrant sauce. They shared how to adjust the warmth of the dish to individual preferences. We learned how to quickly assemble what will be a new favourite - the accompanying potato and cumin rice.

As they described their journey to Canada and to becoming food advocates, we put together a Somali salad with dressing and Somali chai tea. Participants were able to pose questions throughout the class to which the Chefs were very responsive.

The session ended with K’naan Warsame’s music. This Canadian- Somali singer’s song “Wavin Flag”was an uplifting reminder of the power of music.

This evening continued the Grandmothers Partnering with Africa’s exploration of the diversity of the African subcontinent, reminding us that curiosity about others’ experiences feeds both our stomachs and our souls.

From Xawaash Restaurant Website “Fresh Food, Great Taste: Prepared From Scratch and Crafted With Love”

Enlightening lecture kicks off the Explore Africa Series

THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA: The Berlin Conference

(1884-1885)

Dr. Olivier Corteau received his BA in History, MA in War and Conflict Studies and PhD in Contemporary International Relations from the University of Paris-Sorbonne. He has lectured at various Canadian universities, including Ryerson and the Royal Military College of Canada. He is the author of The War on Terror: the Canadian Dilemma (2009), Canada Between Vichy and Free France, 1940-1945, (2013) and Quatre Journées qui ébranlèrent le Québec on Charles de Gaulle’s famous 1967 “Vive le Québec Libre,” (2017)

He shared his extensive knowledge of a pivotal period for the continent of Africa in his lecture on March 11th.

Europeans did not know much about Africa by the 1880s aside from a few coastal areas on trade routes to Asia. In addition to the slave trade, the focus was on bypassing the Silk Road passage though the Ottoman Empire. With the arrival of the industrial revolution, the search was on for new export markets for manufactured goods and sourcing natural resources.

The Berlin Conference involved 14 countries from Europe and the United States. It recognized the private ownership of Congo Free State King Leopold II of Belgium - not the government of Belgium. While positioning the move as philanthropic, all of the resulting profits from the rubber, mineral and ivory trade went directly to him. The imposition of a brutal forced labour system and other atrocities have led to the period until 1906 to be referred to as the holocaust in the Congo.

Dr. Courteaux recommended the following books that provide more detail on how the conference developed an international code for colonisation and the tragedy of the Leopold regime:

King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild and Fortunes of Africa by Martin Meridith..

Testimonials

“Last night’s presentation was fascinating. It was very informative and I learned a lot. Dr Courteaux is a wonderful speaker.”

“The quality of the lecture was high level, delivered by an expert. Every aspect was well organized,informative and mesmerizing.’’

COOK WITH CAROLYN

On December 3rd 2020 Grandmothers Partnering with Africa hosted a virtual zoom cooking class with Carolyn Cohen of Delicious Dish Cooking School. It was attended by 164 people and was a great opportunity to learn something new and have fun.

Carolyn specializes in healthy, gourmet dishes in a casual and welcoming environment in your own kitchen. Attendees were given the option to cook along with her for an hour and a half or to watch and be inspired. The session was recorded for people who were unable to attend or wanted to revisit the class.

Carolyn’s informative & casual teaching style has inspired many to become healthy cooks & enjoy the kitchen. Her food is always beautifully presented and delicious. She provides cooking tips & tricks to make life easier, faster and more efficient in the kitchen as well as useful information about utensils and cookware.

The menu consisted of Moroccan Spiced Lentil & Barley Soup (Chicken optional), Cauliflower Fritters with Dukkah Spiced Chickpea Chopped Salad, and for dessert Medjool Date Turtles with Dark Chocolate, Pecan, Pistachio & Coconut….delicious! A Chai tea recipe was included by one of our members but because of time constraints most people saved it for the following day to enjoy while recovering, relaxing & eating leftovers.

Shopping lists, preparation instructions & menus were sent out to all registrants a few days in advance. It was very important to do the initial preparation ahead of time in order to keep up and follow along. When it was time to start cooking there was a sense of anticipation & excitement. The next hour and a half was busy & at times frenetic as people worked their way through the 4 recipes with speed and enthusiasm. There were glimpses in the background of families joining together to help with the cooking & share the experience. Carolyn also did a great job of keeping everyone on track slowing down the pace as required as well as answering questions.

The reward for our hard work came when it was time to eat & savour the delicious flavours. Because the recipes made large quantities there were leftovers for the next couple of days or for the freezer.

The Planning Committee did an amazing job of organizing, coordinating, publicizing and presenting as well as monitoring the questions in the zoom chat box. Judging from the feedback the attendees had a great experience.

Testimonials

“That was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed Carolyn’s class and all the hints and tips she provided. An excellent fundraising event. Well done! And we just thoroughly enjoyed an exquisitely cooked meal! Kind regards” Laura Berkley

“Thanks to everyone who worked to make this great event happen. I enjoyed cooking along with Carolyn and even made the Dukka. Everything was delicious. Kudos to you all” Evelyn Simon

Book Talk Sofie and Cecilia

On October 22, 2020 GPWA hosted a virtual conversation between book reviewer, Beverley Fingerhut and Katherine Ashenburg, author of Sofie and Cecilia. Sofie and Cecilia tells the story of the friendship between two women, each the wife of a famous artist in the early 20th century in Sweden.The book is based on the true lives of two women and their artist husbands at this time.

Due to the magic of Zoom we were able to show a film about SLF's response to Covid in Sub Saharan Africa; and listen in on the fascinating conversation between Katherine and Beverley. In addition Beverly provided slides of the actual artwork represented in the novel, featuring authentic paintings, fabric design work and domestic furnishings, creating a tangible look at the world of the novel. These visuals added immensely to the experience of the evening.

In discussion, Katherine shared with us her desire for authenticity, which took her to museums in Stockholm and the countryside, to a cemetery in search of typical names of the era, and to the homes of the artists Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn on whom she based her fictional characters. She gave us insight into society’s attitudes towards the achievements of both their wives (Sofie and Cecilia in the book), so different, but each successful in her own right.

The online event attracted over 120 attendees who were encouraged to participate in the program by using the chat function.

Finally, a film of Jerusalema Dancing was shown. The dance originated in Angola but the music and dancers were from South Africa. It has gone viral around the world and was an upbeat conclusion to the program.

The richness and diversity of the evening were enabled through the use of the virtual platform...a new and exciting way of reaching our . generous donors. Thank you to everyone who attended the free event and also made a contribution.

Testimonials

“Congratulations to you and your remarkable team on a very enriching evening. I learned so much and admired the thought and breadth that had gone into all the planning and delivery! Many thanks. Vanessa”.

“Congrats. A fabulous discussion and great slides. Loved the book and now all set for a visit there!!!! Ruth”

“I had a great time tonight! The event was interesting and very pleasant. I really enjoyed listening to the author, and the background information by Beverley Fingerhut was so interesting.”

Scott Russell – Fundraising Workshop

On September 15, 2020 Scott Russell and John Andereson from Management Advisory Services* provided an inspiring presentation on “Keep Asking….Fundraising during the Pandemic” to about 80 participants from Grandmothers Partnering with Africa and members of several grandmother groups across Canada.

Russell shared interesting statistics about the non-profit sector in Canada. This sector is worth $170 billion, and it employs over 2 million people. Surprisingly enough about 82% of Canadians donate to non-profits, many of these donations going to religious institutions.

Russell stressed the importance of building relationships with donors and always acknowledging their gifts. He presented various marketing techniques and strategies on how to approach donors and making sure they understand how their dollars are. He confirmed the importance of continuing to fundraise during the pandemic with many non-profits turning to virtual events with much success. Fundraising is a long-term process that requires patience consistency and endurance. 

The audience was divided into break out groups where participants shared their concerns and ideas for successful online fundraising events and strategies. Many creative ideas were shared and cross-country connections made.

Scott Russell is the CEO of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada

John Anderson consults to Annual Giving channels

*Management Advisory Service (MAS) consists of more than 60 current and former business executives and professionals who provide pro bono consulting services for non-profit organizations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).  Since 1993, they have helped more than 1,300 non-profit groups in the GTA do more for the communities they serve.

ZUMBA FOR GRANNIES ONLINE ZOOM EVENT

On June 28, 2020 we held the second of our two online exercise events. It was attended by about 50 people who enjoyed an energetic and invigorating workout with Marissa our instructor. We also had a special appearance from Angus the cat! Lots of fun and almost $5,000 raised for the African grannies! Thank you again to all our supporters.

Following the session we received some great comments. Here are a few:

From Mary Kirton, Founder and Chair of the Old Orchard Blossoms in Toronto and now the General Regional Liaison (GRL) for the GTA Your group is a real inspiration - to me and to all the Blossoms really. We envy your energy!

From Robin Scobie, Co-Chair VanGogos, Vancouver. I was so happy to participate -and I sweated! What a great group, and so fun to see the varied places people were from. Fantastic! Please pass on my sincere congratulations to your GPWA group.

From Marissa Burias, Zumba Instructor. It was exciting to see all the participants pop up on Zoom as they were signing in from Africa, Europe and USA. Great turn out for a Sunday morning class! It was my first online class ever and it was great to know that people from different continents were dancing with me live!

YOGA FOR GRANNIES ONLINE ZOOM EVENT

On June 14, 2020 we held the first of our two online exercise events. It was attended by 45 women from all over Ontario, Boston, Houston and even South Africa. A fun hour was enjoyed by all.

Thank you to our instructor Paula from Paula Yoga and to Helen Fisch for hosting the event.

And a special thank you to all donors for your support of the African Grannies!

Great Songs of the Folk Revival performed by Mike and Jill Daley

On November 7, 2019 we held another very successful and enjoyable fundraising event at Lula Lounge to a sold out house! We raised $12,000 in support of the resilient African Grandmothers.

Maxine’s excellent opening remarks provided some background on the grandmother’s campaign and our group.

Margaret Wright, Senior Director of Operations of the SLF showed amazing pictures from her recent visit to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Lesotho specifying exactly where SLF dollars go to support Home Based Care for people who would not be able to access health care without this service.

And of course, the music and folk songs played by Mike and Jill Daley brought back many memories - so much fun to sing along and know all the lyrics! While Mike played the guitar & sang, Jill performed on both the piano and the violin. What a great team! They are completely in sync with one another!

The folk music revival began in the 1940s and peaked in popularity in the mid-1960s. We heard songs from the Weavers, Bob Dylan, the Kingston Trio, Woody Guthrie, Harry Belafonte, Peter Paul & Mary and others. Mike in his usual engaging manner shared his knowledge and gave us an insight into the revival as a popular & commercial phenomenon as well as its association with political activism & freedom songs.

The Silent Auction tables were attractive and the bidding was brisk!

Thank you to our supporters, for purchasing tickets, making donations and contributing items for the auction.

Last but not least, the event would not have been as much fun and as successful without the many hours of work by members of Grandmothers Partnering with Africa and the support of the Grandmothers Campaign of the SLF

Comments:

Note: Margaret was planning to leave at intermission, but she loved the music so much she stayed to the end.

Yoga for Africa June 8, 2019

On a perfect spring day in June 2019 Yoga enthusiasts returned to the Banbury Community Centre in North York to participate in a follow-up Yoga event. The class was again taught by Orli Ziv, a certified Hatha Yoga teacher with 35 years of experience. As she did last year Orli covered many of the basic yoga moves to cater to the different levels of the participants and completed the relaxing class with a meditation routine. Once again following the pattern from last year’s event many of the participants joined GPWA members in a walk of solidarity to recognize the African grandmothers we support in our fundraising. The morning ended with an optional picnic in the park where friends enjoyed socializing on a beautiful day.

A big thank you for the generous support made by donors to this event and to Flow Water Inc for keeping us hydrated with a donation of healthy environmentally friendly water.

Mothers Day Lunch and Marketplace

On Saturday May 11, 2019 a group of our grannies joined forces with the Brookbanks Grannies at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church for a Mothers Day lunch and marketplace. Products were sold from different African countries….. purses from Kenya; fabrics & scarves from Senegal and Kenya; jewelry from Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal & Namibia; wood and stone sculptures from Zimbabwe and wooden cutlery from Zambia. It turned out to be a fun, sociable and successful event.

Words & Music: Leonard Cohen

In October 2018 we held a very successful fundraising event at the Tranzac Club to a sold out house! We raised over $10,000 to support African Grandmothers.

Dr. Mike Daley presented the life story of the Canadian songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen illustrated with several of Cohens best loved songs performed live. The words to the songs were posted on a large screen and the audience was able to sing along. Mike Daley is completely engaging and very knowledgeable.

The event included a silent auction and delicious light refreshments

Mike Daley will be back to present a different program accompanied by his wife, Jill on November 7th, 2019 at Lula Lounge.

Yoga Event June 2018

On Saturday June 9, 2018 Grandmothers Partnering with Africa held a Yoga for Africa event at the Banbury Community Centre in North York. About 60 Yoga enthusiasts gathered to participate in a Hatha Yoga class taught by local teacher Orli Ziv. Orli covered many of the basic yoga moves to cater to the generic nature of the participants. She completed the relaxing class with a meditation routine. After the event many of the participants joined GPWA members in a walk of solidarity to recognize the African grandmothers we support in our fundraising. The morning ended with an optional picnic in the park where friends enjoyed socializing on a beautiful day. A small marketplace coincided with the event. GPWA sold African curios and products and Gossip Accessories sold clothing and scarves.

A big thank you for the generous support made by donors to this event

GPWA raised about $2500 through tickets sales and on-line donations from supporters.

Kids Fest and Concert April 2018

GPWA & Project Abraham get together to give Yazidi kids a fun afternoon

In early April 2018 the Chair of Grandmothers Partnering with Africa reached out to the Executive Director of Project Abraham and invited Yazidi immigrant children to attend the upcoming GMPA “Kids Fest & Concert” fundraising event.

It was held at the Lodzer Centre On Sunday April 22nd. “Dan the Music Man” entertained with music and dancing. Craft tables, games and face painting stations were set up around the room and the arrival of a group of mascots added another fun dimension delighting and entertaining the kids. All the activities made for an afternoon of fun & pleasure but it was especially gratifying to see the delighted faces of the Yazidi children who had experienced such trauma in their short lives.

Both voluntary groups are part of larger organizations and strive to help people suffering in different parts of the world or as refugees in Canada. The Kids Fest & Concert event played a small but satisfying role in these endeavours. Having the groups come together also raised an interest & a desire to find out more about each another’s initiatives.

As a result GPWA invited Debbie Rose, Executive Director Project Abraham/Mozuud to give a presentation at the GPWA meeting on Nov 29, 2018.

Holiday Market December 2017

A holiday market selling African made or African style products held at The Mayfair Parkway Athletic Club in Thornhill.

Jazz Concert - October 2017

Donna Roberts and Band

Stride  2017

In June 2017, GPWA were front and centre in organizing the eighth annual Toronto Stride event...a national walk to raise funds for the Grandmothers in Africa who are caring for their orphaned grandchildren.  This year, Toronto was one of 28 teams across Canada that walked in solidarity for the cause.   The walk and picnic was held in Earl Bales Park on a lovely sunny Sunday morning.  Over the years, it has evolved into a family affair with clowns, a juggler and amazing mascots.  The full walk, along Bathurst St and then through  the woods on the escarpment high above the City, lasted about 45 minutes.  A shorter version was available for those who could not manage  such a long walk.  GPWA was represented on the organizing committee and several members came out on the day to volunteer or just participate in the walk.  Fundraising took place on line or in person on the day and we are pleased to say we raised $20,000.  Toronto Stride is grateful to The Stephen Lewis Foundation for its annual support of this event. 

Tea and Vintage Sale

In the spring of 2017, GPWA invited donors and other guests for a delightful Sunday afternoon of Tea and treats while browsing vintage jewellery, arts and crafts as well as a variety of African products including a range of finely woven scarves from Ethiopia.  We were very please to welcome members of other local Grandmother and Grandother Groups. All proceeds were donated to the Steven Lewis Foundation.    

Evening of Elegance

In the Fall of 2016, Grandmothers Partnering With Africa joined forces with two other Toronto Grandmother groups to hold an "Evening of Elegance"...a fashion show hosted by Marika Vag , owner of Lady Sophisticate on Avenue Road .  While the event was a successful fundraiser, well over 100 people, mostly women with a sprinkling of men had lots of fun.  Volunteers from each of the groups, Brookbanks For African Grannies, Togogos and Grandmothers Partnering With Africa swayed the audience with about three outfits each. Lovely clothes, many purchased afterwards with a significant donation to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.   The tables were African themed and the evening was topped off with home made refreshments, generously donated door prizes and "gifts".  A successful Market Place boosted the evening's revenue.  

GPWA "models" Susan and Evelyn.

Dinner & Conversation with Yaa Gyasi Author of Bestseller

HOMEGOING

In November 2016 two GTA grandmothers’ groups, Grandmothers Partnering with Africa and the GuGu Gogos, hosted an exciting fundraising event. We invited Yaa Gyasi the author of the bestseller, “Homegoing” to be our guest and Dr. Richard B. Lee, University Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Toronto to join Gyasi for a conversation about the book and Gyasi’s life. An interesting discussion followed and there were plenty of opportunities for questions from the audience.

Yaa Gyasi was born in Ghana in1989, and was raised in Huntsville, Alabama. She holds a BA in English from Stanford University and an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she held a Dean’s Graduate Research Award. She lives in Berkeley, California.

Homegoing, Gyasi’s highly acclaimed debut novel, was inspired by her own identity as both Ghanaian and American. The story begins with the lives of two half-sisters living in 18th century Ghana, one married to a British officer, the other sold into slavery. Each subsequent chapter follows their descendants, alternating between Ghana and America. With the backdrop of major political and social changes, this epic novel covers close to 300 years and introduces us to 14 unforgettable characters. Gyasi skillfully demonstrates how memories and experiences of the past continue to inform life in the present.

Her debut novel garnered rave reviews and was on the 2016 "must read" lists of many newspapers, bookstores and book clubs. This epic and moving book spans hundreds of years and several continents, starting in Ghana and concluding in the United States.

To recognize the home-base for the book, an African Chop Bar ambiance was created. This is an eating experience of "street food" common in much of West Africa. Our street food was served indoors in the lovely and newly opened event space of the Centennial College School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary.arts. And it was prepared by the culinary arts students, under the supervision of experienced chefs. Foods from West, East and South Africa were on the menu and it was a new dining experience for many of the attendees.

There was also a cash bar, an African marketplace and copies of Homegoing, available for purchase and personalized signing.