We are asking each current staffperson with the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women to choose a milestone year to reflect on among these “50 Ways to Achieve Equality” posts. Today’s significant year is selected by Caroline Galloway, who has been working with us part-time on short contracts for office and event support since June 2024. We like her so much, and she does such good work, we are determined to keep her. 
My name is Caroline Galloway, I have been working as part time Office and Event support with the Advisory Council since June of 2024. I have a Bsc. of Psychology from UPEI, and I work part time with Community Sector Network as an Administrative Assistant.
Many impactful events in the women’s rights movement took place in 2017, the year I chose to reflect on, and it was also the year my friend Lilly and I graduated high school. We became close in 8th grade, and it was partly her intelligence and vocal activism that inspired me to become more involved in feminism. Lilly has been a supportive friend to this day, and continues to inspire me with her strength, thoughtfulness, and determination. I’m grateful for her encouragement and support in many aspects of my life, both professional and personal.
I remember in high school learning about the inaccessibility of abortion on the Island, and how upset it made us. January of 2017 was when PEI finally had abortion locally available again, for the first time in 35 years, no doubt thanks to many women involved with the Advisory Council, some who I would later meet.
PEI reproductive rights advocates celebrate the March 31, 2016, announcement that abortion care would be repatriated to PEI by 2017. Left to right, Josie Baker, Ann Wheatley, Michelle Jay, Ann Mazer, Sandy Kowalik, Colleen MacQuarrie, Sylvie Arsenault, J’Nan Brown, and Jane Ledwell. Photo by Emily Rutledge.
Another major event concerning feminism that happened in January 2017 was The Women’s March, where an estimated 3.5 to 5.5 million people globally in at least 58 countries protested for women and gender diverse people’s rights. This women’s march for solidarity extended to those in Charlottetown, PEI.
Women’s March, January 2017, in Charlottetown, PEI.
I think these types of events get amplified when people reach out to their friends and family, talk to them about issues that matter, and encourage them to take part in activism as both a bonding activity and a way to improve our communities. I’m fortunate that my other friends have lent their support in helping us with initiatives such as the Purple Ribbon Campaign Against Gender Based Violence, Pride Parade, and International Women’s Day.
Caroline and friends volunteering at the 2024 PRIDE parade in Charlottetown.
Working with the Advisory Council has been an amazing opportunity, and getting to know so many lovely women and gender diverse individuals working hard to make a difference is amazing. In ten years or so, I hope to look back again on progress that continues to be made into history, thanks to the incredible people who I know are working on it today.
