(This article is sponsored by Battered Women's Support Services)

Angela Marie MacDougall, executive director at Battered Women’s Support Services became aware of violence against women at a very young age. But it was the tragic rape and murder of her friend in 1988, as well as the birth of her daughter, that led her to become politicized on the issue. 

BWSS was founded in 1979 by five women and BWSS remains committed to ending violence against women through providing a crisis line, support services, training, counselling, and a legal advocacy program.  Today, the services continues to work toward systemic change and responds to 11,000 requests per year with specialized services for indigenous, Latin American, black, and self-identified women.

In a phone interview with the Georgia Straight, MacDougall talks about the hard work and the passion that goes into creating the incredible work environment at BWSS. “We have about 20 staff and 150 volunteers working at all aspects…But what matters to us always is that we’re effective. We’re more than a social-service organization. We are social change. We are committed to social change. That’s part of leading with the heart.”

BWSS was formed by women who recognized violence against women in relationships as a serious and growing issue.

MacDougall recounts the story of former NDP MP, Margaret Mitchell, who talked about wife battering at the House of Commons in 1982 and many of the male MPs laughed.

Sadly, it’s not too hard to believe. MacDougall talks about some of the regression we've seen more recently, particularly with regard to the U.S. presidential election and some of the regressive policies, attitudes, and approaches that have come from that side of the border. She also mentions the recent scandals that reignited the “me too” hashtag on social media. But BWSS confronts these challenges head-on.

MacDougall continues, “We’ve been a community based women’s organization for the last 38 years serving thousands of women, responding to violence against women, and taking action around systemic change.” And central to driving this agenda forward is creating a community of like-minded people with the shared goal of a safer society.

“This is a time to continue to inspire, to continue to find ways to connect with each other, to continue to bring people together,” she says.

So to recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25^th, BWSS seeks to bring communities together to address social issues during its 16 days of activism to end violence against women. And the organization is delighted to announce that the legendary feminist icon and political activist, Angela Davis, will speak at this year’s main event, “Imagining a World with Freedom and Justice” this Wednesday (November 29), at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre.

Davis, a professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz, was one of the highest-profile activists during the U.S civil-rights battles. At one point, the then governor of California, Ronald Reagan, tried to have her banned from the public postsecondary system in the state.

MacDougall was thrilled to bring such a powerful and influential woman to our city in an effort to promote social change at such a difficult time.

“We really want to have a place where Vancouver can hear a message. And one of the things that Angela Davis does so well is that she sets the context for where the problems are, but she also talks about solutions. And her solutions are solutions that we think Vancouver should hear,” she explains. 

And MacDougall hopes that the event will inspire people to begin to take some local action and move forward with some social and progressive ideas to make things better. She is also excited that this year’s event will feature a full program that will include the premiere of a video project that she expects will have a big impact.

MacDougall adds that this event is relevant to anyone who wants to learn more about the social and historical problems that we are experiencing in today’s society. “We think this is a good time to have Angela Davis come and get connected with this idea of imagining a world with freedom and justice.”

Battered Women's Support Services presents Angela Davis in “Imagining a World with Freedom and Justice” at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday (November 29) at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe St). Enter now for your chance to win two tickets to this once in a lifetime opportunity or buy tickets here.