“Feminism, for us, is not a slogan. It is a practice”: words from incoming Executive Director, Katie Bortolin

March 27, 2026

On March 5th, 2026 the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre hosted the annual Flag Raising Ceremony for International Women’s Day. This year, NOWC is marking a big transition with the hiring of a new Executive Director, Katie Bortolin. Katie shared her vision for the future of the Women’s Centre, her words are shared below:

“Good morning friends, colleagues, community members, and all those who have carried the North Western Ontario Women’s Centre forward with courage and care.

It is a profound honour to stand before you as the new Executive Director of the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre. I step into this role with humility, respect for the history of this organization, and belief in the power of feminist, community-driven work to change lives. For decades, this Centre has been more than a building or a service provider. It has been a lifeline. A gathering place. A site of resistance and renewal. It has been shaped by grassroots organizers, survivors, advocates, and women who believed that we deserve justice, dignity, and safety.

Today, I want to share my vision for where we go next.

First, we will remain unapologetically feminist. Feminism, for us, is not a slogan. It is a practice. It means recognizing that gender-based violence is rooted in systems of inequality. It means understanding how sexism intersects with racism, colonialism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and poverty. It means listening—especially to Indigenous women, Two-Spirit people, racialized women, disabled women, newcomers, and young women—whose voices have too often been marginalized.

Our feminist work must be grounded in truth and reconciliation. We are situated on Indigenous lands signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty, and our future must include partnerships with Indigenous-led organizations, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers. We will move beyond consultation toward relationship—built on accountability, respect, and shared leadership.

Second, we will strengthen our grassroots foundation. The strength of the Women’s Centre has always been its community roots. We are not a top-down institution. We are a movement space. My vision is to expand opportunities for community members to shape our programming, set priorities, and lead initiatives. And how will we do that? We will support peer-led groups. It means ensuring that women with lived experience who use our services are not only participants—but are also helping shape the future programming and supports we offer. When we say “nothing about us without us,” we will mean it.

Third, we will expand access and innovation without losing our heart. Women in Thunder Bay face unique challenges: with an epidemic of IPV, geographic isolation, housing insecurity, and gaps in services. We will respond with creativity and determination. We will develop new partnerships across sectors—health, housing, justice, education—to create more coordinated support systems. But as we grow, we will never sacrifice what makes this Centre special: relational care. The warmth of being greeted by name. The safety of a circle where your story is believed. The radical act of making space for healing.

Fourth, we will invest in sustainability—of our staff, our volunteers, and our organization. Feminist work is powerful, but it can also be heavy. Burnout is real. Vicarious trauma is real. Underfunding is real. My vision includes advocating fiercely for stable, long-term funding that reflects the essential nature of our work. It includes prioritizing staff wellness, fair wages, and professional development. It includes building a strong governance model and strategic plan that ensures we are here not just for the next year—but for the next generation.

Finally, we will raise our voices. The Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre must continue to be a leader in public education and advocacy. We will speak out against gender-based violence. We will challenge harmful policies. We will push for systemic change. But we will also tell stories of resilience, leadership, and hope. Because our communities are not defined solely by trauma. They are defined by courage, creativity, and collective care.

As I step into this role, I do not come with all the answers. I come with commitment. I come ready to listen. I come ready to learn from those who built this organization and from those who will carry it forward long after my time here. The future of the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre is not about one Executive Director. It is about all of us. It is about what we can build together when we centre justice, compassion, and courage.

I believe we can create communities where every woman and gender-diverse person lives free from violence, has access to opportunity, and is valued for exactly who they are.

That is the future I see. And I am honoured to build it with you. “

With great respect and love,