This is women’s and labor history. Before equal pay, women fought to be hired, to stay, to be human. Workplace protections didn’t appear by chance—they were won through lived injustice and resistance.

When she became pregnant, she was told she was the first pregnant resident the program had ever seen. There was no maternity policy. No protections. No laws. Pregnancy wasn’t accommodated—it was treated as a violation.

Talking about pay isn’t unprofessional. It’s historical. It’s how progress is made visible and shared. Yes, there’s been progress—but as this movement reminds us, not enough is still not enough.

From Anne Brewster questioning her worth to Ericka Elkay Johnson pushing forward in a male-dominated kitchen, women across generations have always known their labor has value. What changed wasn’t our work—but our willingness to name its worth.

Thank you for being part of this journey toward a more just and equitable world. May this season bring reflection, solidarity, and renewed commitment to change. 💜
#MerryChristmas #BCVoices #WomensRights #HumanRights

As we gather with loved ones, we’re reminded that the greatest gift is standing up for the rights, dignity, and safety of women and girls—especially those whose voices are too often silenced.

Her fight for justice didn't stop on Earth: in 2024, Amanda became the first Vietnamese woman to travel to space, fulfilling a long-deferred dream while continuing to advocate for human rights. A powerful example that citizens have the agency to create change.

The contribution of women like Amanda is important because they transform systemic failures into codified legal protections.

Instead of accepting the status quo, Amanda drafted the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act. She founded the nonprofit Rise to champion it. Her work led to its unanimous passage by Congress and it was signed into law in 2016, ensuring forensic evidence is preserved for survivors at no charge.

Wondering what to give the vocal and quiet feminists in your life? How about a donation in their name to BC Voices in support of the online docuseries Stand UP, Speak OUT: The Personal Politics of Women’s Rights.

Their stories are a timeline of resistance. Even without recognition, women like Anne built communities, institutions, and culture—proving leadership long before being paid for it. When we understand this history, we understand why speaking up now is an act of justice. #StandUpSpeakOut

From Anne Brewster’s era—when the question of equal pay wasn’t even imagined—to Katherine’s “code of silence,” women were kept in the dark about their own worth. Today, Ericka reminds us that silence still persists, forcing women to work twice as hard just to be seen.

This date marks the 1990 adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families by the UN. Its importance lies in reaffirming that all migrants, regardless of status, are entitled to human rights and dignity.

It's a day to remember that migration is an expression of human aspiration for a better life. #IMD2025 #MigrantsDay

Learn more and support BCVoices Inc. as we champion stories of women driving change for full equality: 🔗 BCVoices: bcvoices.org/links

Their efforts established a foundation: sex workers' rights are human rights. To honor this day and those lost, we need to dismantle stigma and support laws that ensure safety and justice for all workers.

Margo St. James (1937–2021) founded COYOTE in 1973, advocating for decriminalization to secure citizenship rights. Carol Leigh (1951–2020) coined the term "sex work" to shift the focus from crime to labor, demanding occupational respect and safety.