TEDxGastownWomen Redefines the Meaning of Power

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Power. To some, it may represent control and dominance. For me and a sold-out audience, TEDxGastownWomen completely redefined the meaning of power.

Over the course of the day, power came to include courage, perseverance, risk-taking, acceptance, grief and even humour. I know I’m not the only one who emerged from this event moved, elated and full of admiration for 11 remarkable women who opened their hearts and opened our eyes with their strength and stories of harnessing their power in the face of gender bias, racial inequality, tragedy, disability and trauma.

Here’s the day, in photos.

TEDx Gastown Women 2016 - photo by Suzanne Rushton
TEDxGastownWomen 2016 – photo by Suzanne Rushton
The sold-out audience at TEDx Gastown Women - photo by Suzanne Rushton
The sold-out audience at TEDxGastownWomen – photo by Suzanne Rushton

Founded by Brittany Whitmore in 2015, TEDxGastownWomen was the first TEDxWomen event to take place in Vancouver – celebrating the power of women and girls to be creators and change-makers.

Founder Brittany Whitmore kicked off the second annual TEDxGastownWomen event - photo by Cathy Browne
Founder Brittany Whitmore kicked off the second annual TEDxGastownWomen event – photo by Cathy Browne
Former Golden BC Mayor Christina Benty spoke about leading from the soul - photo by Cathy Browne
Former Golden BC Mayor Christina Benty spoke about leading from the soul – photo by Cathy Browne
Sophia Sunwoo addressed the many challenges of being in a position of power in developing countries - photo by Cathy Browne
Sophia Sunwoo addressed the many challenges of being in a position of power in developing countries – photo by Cathy Browne
Maili Wong recounted her experiences of 9/11 in close proximity to the twin towers. From this tragedy, she emerged determined to take risks and move forward - photo by Cathy Browne
Maili Wong recounted her experiences of 9/11 in close proximity to the twin towers. From this tragedy, she emerged determined to take risks and move forward – photo by Cathy Browne
Emelia Symington Fedy revealed ugly truths we all recognized - and she made us laugh - photo by Cathy Browne
Emelia Symington Fedy revealed ugly truths we all recognized – and she made us laugh – photo by Cathy Browne
Rosalyn Mow epitomized grace and strength in her pole exercise - photo by Cathy Browne
Rosalyn Mow epitomized grace and strength in her pole exercise – photo by Cathy Browne
Julie Salisbury on the power of dyslexia. "It's not a learning disability. It's a teaching disability." - photo by Cathy Browne
Julie Salisbury on the power of dyslexia. “It’s not a learning disability. It’s a teaching disability.” – photo by Cathy Browne
Shirley Weir discussed the need to overcome negative stereotypes and give menopause a makeover - photo by Cathy Browne
Shirley Weir discussed the need to overcome negative stereotypes and give menopause a makeover – photo by Cathy Browne
Suzanne Solsona explored the social media myth that is SuperMom, and how no one can live up to expectations - photo by Cathy Browne
Suzanne Solsona explored the social media myth that is SuperMom, and how no one can live up to these expectations – photo by Cathy Browne
Vicki Mcleod embraced childlessness, or 'otherness' without fear and despite the judgement of society - photo by Cathy Browne
Vicki McLeod embraced childlessness, or ‘otherness’ without fear and the judgement of society – photo by Cathy Browne
Reema Faris pondered if modern self-help is doing more harm than good - photo by Cathy Browne
Reema Faris pondered if modern self-help is doing more harm than good – photo by Cathy Browne
Barinder Rasode waded in on gender and ethnic bias, partisan politics and violence against women in East Asian culture, and the power to overcome them all - photo by Cathy Browne
Barinder Rasode waded in on gender and ethnic bias, partisan politics and violence against women in East Asian culture, and the power to overcome them all – photo by Cathy Browne

All in all, it was a tremendous event. I can’t wait for next year!

For more photos, visit the TEDXGastownWomen’s Flickr page. And watch for videos of all the presentations on the TED You Tube channel in the coming weeks.

 

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