Edna Toth
BA Honours in History & Women Studies 2007
After completing an honours BA (With distinction) at age 70-something, it is an investment that I recommend. Most of my working life has been spent as a newspaper reporter, and I've always wanted my own newspaper. In retirement, I volunteered with Peel Poverty Action Group (PPAG), an organization dedicated to helping cash-poor people, chiefly through political action. This volunteering opportunity inspired me to set up a tabloid newspaper for PPAG: Tough Times, available free of charge in libraries, public buildings throughout Peel and distributed to shelters, soup kitchens, food banks, labour unions, faith groups and more.
Advice From Edna
Women's Studies is a new 100k at the world, lots of work still to be done via politics and pushing the women's agenda every day. We cannot rest until single moms and their children are looked after and violence against women ends.
Proudest Moment Since Graduating
While I have been selected as Citizen of the Year for 2011, and awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal, my proudest moment was starting a tabloid newspaper, Tough Times, in 2011. This newspaper serves cash-poor people in Peel; having it pay its way at a time when long-established newspapers are cutting back and closing down is a great accomplishment.
Karen Kus
BA Honours in Italian and Religion & WGS 2009
After graduating With a Masters of Education in Adult Education and Community Development at Ontario
Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, I continued my career as an Instructor and Teacher's Assistant for WGS courses at UTM Today, I still maintain this role as Teacher's Assistant and also work as a Placement Coordinator at Humber College. Simultaneously, I remain active in the community within social justice and feminist-focused endeavors.
Advice from Karen
Get involved! My strongest suggestion is to enroll in a practicum course, such as the one WGS offers. Practicums offer students the opportunity to experimentally practice the theories they are learning, providing a chance to explore options directly in the field. Additionally, reach out and build your networks early on by volunteering and attending events related to your studies, discover the routes you can take.
Proudest Moment Since Graduating
Some of my proudest moments have been teaching WGS classes as both an Instructor and Teacher's Assistant. Receiving the Teacher's Assistant of the Year award in 2012 authenticates my dedication; a proud moment indeed.
Kumari Giles
BSc Honours in Biology & WGS 2012
Since graduation, I am pursuing arts creation / education / performance with ILL NANA/DiverseCity Dance Company, a queer multiracial dance company and co-created a queer, consensual, anti-racist, not your average burlesque show called Unapologetic Burlesque with Shaunga Tagore.
Advice from Kumari
As an experience-based learner I would recommend taking courses that immerse you in the field like the practicum or independent study. The WGS Practicum was pivotal to my work now, as I was paired with The People Project, an ever-growing movement Of LGBTTQQ2SIA youth of colour and our allies, committed to individual and community empowerment.
Proudest Moment Since Graduating
I continue to build with queer, trans and gender non-conforming folks, black and indigenous people, people of
colour and folks with a wide range of abilities/disabilities on the daily and through a number of community based projects. I am also employed through Activate It! at East Mississauga Community Health Centre. I am proud to be a growing, expanding being and to have learned from the brilliant people who have and do surround me.
Mercy Lilian Gichuki
BA Honours in Political Science & WGS 2011
I am a graduate student completing a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of Waterloo. I am also working as a Community Health Worker - HIV/AIDS at Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHIWH CHC) doing health promotion and research in HIV/AIDS
Advice from Mercy
Choosing your courses to align with your career path. My interests were in advocacy and equity especially in racialized communities. The courses I picked helped me prepare for what I am doing today. Classes such as engendering human rights, women in politics and my WGS practicum were instrumental in choosing my field/line of work.
Proudest Moment Since Graduating
My education has resulted in me doing the work I envisioned myself doing — my education and career goals
have been well aligned. I was indeed proud when I accepted a position at Women's Health in Women's Hands
CHC and knew that I will not only finally practice my undergraduate theories but live them in a space that supports my beliefs such as feminism, anti-oppression anti-racism are accepted, affirmed and celebrated.
Steve Khan
BA Honours in Art and Art History & WGS 2010
I graduated in 2010 from the joint Art and Art History Program with a Specialist in Art and Art History and a Minor in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Toronto Mississauga. Also in 2010, I obtained a four-Year Advanced Diploma in Art and Art History from Sheridan College. In 2002, I obtained a three-year Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Sheridan College. I am currently working for the Federal Government as a Support Services Agent at Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Advice from Steve
Study what you love. Try an internship or co-op placement in your field. There are a number of programs available at UTM that you might consider such as: the research opportunity program, experiential learning, work study program and a number of other opportunities available through the Career Centre.
Proudest Moment Since Graduating
A few of my proudest moments since graduating from UTM include:
- Working for the federal government of Canada (2012 - Present).
- Becoming the Secretary/Treasury for the Public Service Alliance of Canada Pride Committee (2013 - Present).
- Being selected as the Chair of the Youth in Action Grants for the United Way Of Peel Region (2014 - Present).
