A Living History (1973-1993): How the Experiences of Early Activists Shaped the Violence Against Women (VAW) Movement in Ontario: A Case Study by Deborah Ann Sinclair A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto © Copyright by Deborah Ann Sinclair 2019 A Living History (1973-1993): How the Experiences of Early Activists Shaped the Violence Against Women (VAW) Movement in Ontario: A Case Study Deborah Ann Sinclair Doctor of Philosophy Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto 2019 Abstract This dissertation shines a light on a group of women who helped to create a violence against women (VAW) movement that changed the course of history in Ontario, Canada for countless women, their families and their communities. This study centres the voices of activists, positioning them as knowledge producers with expertise and wisdom gleaned during five decades of work in the VAW movement in Ontario. A feminist analysis of the VAW movement begins from the standpoint of women. In particular, an intersectional feminist analysis begins from the standpoint of diverse women who embrace the tenets of critical feminist standpoint theory. This study draws on social movement theory (SMT) literature, particularly the scholarship of feminist SMT researchers, to examine the state of the VAW movement in Ontario, Canada. This dissertation is a story about a social movement, specifically the VAW movement in Ontario—a strand of the women’s liberation movement frequently referred to as the second wave, but also on the cusp of ushering in third wave feminism. I document the time period from 1973 to 1993—a period that spans the start of the era when all of the participants in this study began their activist work—until the time of their interviews, which took place between 2014 to 2018. In this dissertation, I challenge the notion that the VAW movement has been reduced to a VAW sector, merely creating and delivering services to select populations of women. This ii interpretation suggests that there is a loss or erosion of an expressed political commitment to uncovering and eliminating the root causes of VAW. Using a case study methodology, I argue that the VAW activists in this study have been persistently engaged in and committed to ending VAW, although their activism shifts and manifests in several forms throughout the life cycle of the movement. The findings of this dissertation research are intended to bring practical and useful implications that can enhance future strategies for change in the VAW movement, contribute to the knowledge base of social work, and infuse the VAW movement with renewed energy and critical vision. iii Dedication To those who have gone before me, I miss you. For my parents, Leona Josephine Trainor and Peter Sinclair, who instilled in me the importance of doing meaningful work in the world and living a life of gratitude, joy, love, laughter, curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. For my older sister Patricia Lee Sinclair-Faulkner, who journeyed with me for my first 51 years. My beloved Pat was the first social worker I ever loved. She embodied all the values I have come to know and admire. My life was enriched by her and she remains in my heart always. For my little brother, Peter Sinclair Jr.—you were not here on this earth for long but your short three years in this world have impacted me for a lifetime. I know you are the angel on my shoulder. To those who will carry on, I support and encourage you. While I was in the final stages of completing this thesis, my daughter Meg and her partner Craig gave birth to a healthy, gorgeous, perfect little boy—Lachlan Arthur Morantz—born on November 5, 2018. What a gift to be in the presence of a precious new life where anything seems possible. Welcome to the world, little Lachlan. We are leaving this legacy of striving for justice and equity for your generation. Carry us in your hearts and you will never be alone. I love you, my wise little man, from your very own Dr. Yaya. Strong women and strong men, protect the children, tend the ailing, and in fact, reassure the entire world. Maya Angelou iv Acknowledgements It is an emotional experience for me to look back and reflect on how this massive project was completed. I tend to think in visual pictures and in memories, so as I sit here and write this final piece, I am flooded with images of kindness from family, friends, and colleagues near and far—indeed everyone who has generously supported me throughout this dissertation journey with their wisdom, compassion, insight, and ongoing care. There are so many people to thank but let me begin with my participants: twenty-one activists who not only generously gave of their time to meet me but loved the project so much that they continually sent me inspiring notes, articles, clippings, videos, and more questions to consider. It was truly a collaborative project, although I, as the researcher, take full responsibility for how I tell this collective story of the VAW movement in Ontario, Canada. All of the participants demonstrated the capacity to sustain a critical social movement lens of the VAW movement, to inspire and motivate others, to embrace an anti-racist, anti- oppression, anti-colonial framework, to maintain their energy and compassion for the movement, and to strengthen their resilience as they meet their challenges. They now thrive in the work. They did not give up; they persisted—they struggled, they laughed, they cried, they raged, they held the tensions, but they did not give up. They had an ability to hope even in the midst of despair. Their message to the rest of us is to never give up. We have much to be proud of and we have much still to do. I am very thankful to my committee members. First and foremost, my supervisor, Dr. Ramona Alaggia, has guided me with patience, genuine care, and astute insight. She applied just the right amount of pressure when it was needed and then allowed me to go off on my own when it was clear I was on the right path. Her faith that I could complete this dissertation never wavered and her belief inspired confidence in me. While I knew my content area well after so many years in the field, I was a “newbie” when it came to applying my front-line experience to v a scholarly research paradigm. I could not have asked for a better guide—Ramona is a researcher extraordinaire and the very person I needed to lead me through the many hurdles of the academic process. We are destined to be lifelong friends. I was blessed to have the amazing support of an intellectual giant, Dr. Sheila Neysmith, on my committee from the beginning. In my first paper for her epistemology course, Sheila called me out as a “feminist elder” and with that title she informed me of my responsibility to be bold and to challenge our field. I hope I have done that! I have memories of Sheila greeting me in the hall, with hands gesturing to indicate that I need to choose one side or the other—micro or macro analysis. (I could never make the choice, so in true Gemini fashion I chose to do both.) Sheila stayed with me every step of the way, teaching me the language of the academy and the underlying assumptions that make one take a scholarly approach to topics such as mine. We agreed she would stay with me until the end (barring death). We are blessed—both of us made it to the finish line. Hats off, Sheila. Dr. Holly Johnson (University of Ottawa) kindly agreed to join my committee during an earlier phase of my work. There is no doubt that her insight into the development of my thesis proposal strengthened my work. Then she graciously agreed to step down from my committee to become a participant in the study. I will always be grateful for her generosity and unwavering support. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Kyle Whitfield (University of Alberta) at the Qualitative Research Conference in Ottawa a few years ago while attending her workshop on case study research. I was so taken by her approach that I asked her if a social movement could be the sole focus of a case study. She said “yes,” and she kindly agreed to be the case study methodologist on my committee. She has taught me a lot about the rigours of case study research and for that I am grateful. She did so with enthusiasm, encouragement, and warm, inspiring, confidence- building affirmations. She was always only one phone call away. Furthermore, I would like to express my gratitude to my external examiner, Dr. Colleen vi Lundy (Carleton University), for her thoughtful and generous feedback on my work. Also, thank you to my internal examiners, Dr. Charmaine Williams and Dr. Stephanie Begun, who took time from their busy schedules to read my work in depth and as well as make my oral defence a most pleasurable and informative experience. Their comments will indeed strengthen my ongoing work. Thank you to the Factor-Inwentash and OISE faculty staff: Michael Saini, who made NVivo training palatable and fun; Aron Shlonsky, who taught me to be both a compassionate and constructive reviewer of my peers’ work; Tahany Gadalla, whose kind and patient teaching style made statistics understandable; Esme Fuller-Thomson, whose sustaining and stimulating chats, impeccable organizational and research skills, and exuberance for research inspired me to tackle complicated questions; Marion Bogo, a consummate scholar and teacher who taught me how to think critically and develop my own pedagogy; and Rupaleem Bhuyan, who challenged me to think outside the box and confront racism and colonialism within our own movements, and who introduced me to the work of her colleague, Robin DiAngelo.