OWHN + OFL Conference Call for Papers

Theme: Women United: Women Power Work Stories in Action Event
Dates: October 2-3, 2026
Location: Toronto, Ontario

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Ontario Women’s History Network (OWHN) and the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) are hosting a joint event and conference in October 2026 to celebrate 50 years of the OFL’s Women’s Committee. We are calling for papers, stories, and lived experiences exploring women’s labour history in Ontario. The major themes for this conference are : the care economy and gender economic justice. This can include topics such as women’s labour activism, unions, strikes, women’s labour legislation, the experiences of women workers, and women’s unpaid labour. Activists, historians, teachers, archivists, librarians, museum personnel, and all women workers/lived experts are invited to share their work, their stories, and their strengths.

Friday night will include a “Kitchen Table” chat (similar to a panel discussion) featuring Peggy Nash, Laura Walton and other Ontario women labour leaders and historians talking about significant moments in women’s labour history in the last 50 years and sharing a story or two of their own personal significant moments in the labour movement as the kick- off to the conference.
Saturday will include sharing academic papers and the experiences of lived experts, activists, and labour enthusiasts. There will also be a creative component to this conference, as we work together to share the history of women’s labour and shape the future of women’s labour.

There will be opportunities for event participants to answer “What does Women-Power-Work mean to you?” with fillable story sheets sent out to those who RSVP to the event, as well for participants to fill out, with digital versions dropped in a zoom chat, to be completed online. These stories will be collected to create a digital story wall on the OFL website, social media posts and become part of the OFL Women’s Committee 50‑year anniversary archive.

Information and classroom resources about women’s labour, including books, articles, archives, and films will be shared.
Between the Lines Press will be present and generously offering a draw for free copies of the book “Women United: Stories of Women’s Struggles for Equality in the Canadian Auto Workers Union”.

To apply to present at this conference, please email a 400-500 word abstract to Victoria Seta Cosby at vcosby@torontomu.ca by July 15, 2026. Academic papers, lived experiences, and creative submissions are all welcome. Please note that all presenters will need to present in person at the conference.