TORONTO, ON (October 12, 2021) – ACTRA is proud to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women and girls to Canada’s screen-based industry this October during Women’s History Month.
“Women’s History Month provides us with an opportunity to honour women in the creative industries, past and present, who are making an undeniable impact on our screen-based industry by tackling gender equality issues head on,” says ACTRA National President Eleanor Noble. “Whether they are fighting for respect, equal access to work opportunities, pay equity, balanced and equitable working conditions, or ending discrimination and harassment in the workplace, the collective efforts of women are shaping our industry and influencing Canadian culture.”
Established by the Government of Canada in 1992, Women’s History Month marks the annual month-long celebration of the outstanding achievements of women and girls throughout Canada’s history.
This year’s theme, Women Making History Now, recognizes the amazing women who are making a lasting impact in our country, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic has taken a devastating toll on our society, it is women, specifically Indigenous Women, Black Women and Women of Colour, who have been most deeply impacted by this health and economic crisis.
In the newly released Family Care Report, Women in Film and Television – Canada Coalition (WIFT-CC) are calling for Canada’s film and television industry to work together to change the workplace structures and conditions, including discriminatory labour practices, that discourage and exclude women and others with children and family responsibilities. ACTRA supports the recommendations included in this report and will work towards their implementation.
ACTRA remains dedicated to making our screen-based industry more inclusive. This includes advocating for accurate representation of race, gender expression and identity on our screens, and addressing and confronting age discrimination, type casting and tropes.
ACTRA proudly celebrates the achievements of women within our union by recognizing a Member as our Woman of the Year for their contribution to advance women within ACTRA and the recorded media industry, and their advocacy and volunteer work within society.
Throughout Women’s History Month, Canadians can honour and celebrate the contributions of women to our industry and Canadian society by watching stories about women, made by women. The National Film Board has curated this special collection of films celebrating the achievements of women and girls throughout our history and these Heritage Minutes showcase the impact women have had on Canadian society.
About ACTRA:
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national union of professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of over 27,000 members across the country – the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.
-30-
Media Contact:
Carol Taverner, Public Relations Officer, ACTRA National, Tel: 416-644-1519, E-mail: ctaverner@actra.ca