Ordinary Women Rise:
the Radical Women
of Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter.
Ordinary Women Rise: the Radical Women of Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter is the history book (herstory) of one of Canada’s oldest and most influential feminist collectives, rape crisis centres, and transition houses for women harmed by male violence, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter (VRRWS).
Covering the period of what is known as the second wave of feminism in Canada, the book begins with VRRWS’ inception in 1973 and follows its journey through the next four decades. The work is the firsthand account of Lee Lakeman’s experiences as a frontline crisis worker and activist at Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter and demonstrates the wealth of knowledge she gained as an internationally recognized expert on male violence against women.
Ordinary Women Rise: the Radical Women of Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter is a call to action and a blueprint for change that equips readers across sectors with the historical context, political analysis, and lived realities necessary to strengthen their work in support of women’s safety, equality, and liberation.
Rise Up! Podcast
The Rise Up! podcast is a superb introduction to the book. In interviews with Julie Bindel and Vancouver feminists, fierce working-class feminist advocate, Lee Lakeman, tells the story of Canada’s oldest rape crisis centre, the uprising of women there, and their decades long battle to stay women-only.
Brought to you by Julie Bindel and the Vancouver Lesbian Collective.
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