Women & Politics
Tuesday November 2nd - 7pm
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 Pleasantville, 66 The Boulevard
Free in-person admission by pre-registration
*Patrons must be vaccinated to attend.*
Also streaming via Facebook Live
In homage to the original Ladies' Reading Room that was founded as a haven for women's opinions, the Ladies' Reading Room evenings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month from May-November 2021.
Each month features a theme that was relevant to the struggle for women's rights in both 1921 and 2021. For our November evening, the theme is Women & Politics.
The event will happen live and free of admission charge for registered guests, who may register to attend on a first-come, first served basis. Parking is also free.
The evening begins in 1921 with a new short play inspired by the evening's theme:
WHAT IS SHE WEARING?
Written by Andrea Dunne
Directed by Terri Andrews
Costume designed by Alison Helmer
Performed by Allison Moira Kelly
We conclude in 2021 with a live panel discussion on the evening's theme:
Women & Politics - a 2021 Panel Discussion
Moderated by Amanda Will with guest speakers
Tea will served in both period-appropriate and environmentally-sustainable china cups to all.
Important COVID-19 Info:
These events will be run in strict adherence to public health guidelines and regulations. The venue is large and well-ventilated. Masks may only be removed while seated.
Accessibility:
This second floor venue is accessible via an exterior ramp up to the side entrance of the Legion Ballroom, which is located on the second floor. Please connect with us at [email protected] or 709-743-7287 to advise if you would like to utilize the ramp and/or if you require any assistance.
Each month features a theme that was relevant to the struggle for women's rights in both 1921 and 2021. For our November evening, the theme is Women & Politics.
The event will happen live and free of admission charge for registered guests, who may register to attend on a first-come, first served basis. Parking is also free.
The evening begins in 1921 with a new short play inspired by the evening's theme:
WHAT IS SHE WEARING?
Written by Andrea Dunne
Directed by Terri Andrews
Costume designed by Alison Helmer
Performed by Allison Moira Kelly
We conclude in 2021 with a live panel discussion on the evening's theme:
Women & Politics - a 2021 Panel Discussion
Moderated by Amanda Will with guest speakers
- Cathy Bennett, Entrepreneur and Member of the House of Assembly
- Amanda Bittner, Professor in the Department of Political Science at Memorial University
- Shannie Duff, former Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor at Large for the city of St. John's
Tea will served in both period-appropriate and environmentally-sustainable china cups to all.
Important COVID-19 Info:
These events will be run in strict adherence to public health guidelines and regulations. The venue is large and well-ventilated. Masks may only be removed while seated.
Accessibility:
This second floor venue is accessible via an exterior ramp up to the side entrance of the Legion Ballroom, which is located on the second floor. Please connect with us at [email protected] or 709-743-7287 to advise if you would like to utilize the ramp and/or if you require any assistance.
The Play
Designer - Alison Helmer
Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Though born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. With an in-depth knowledge of and interest in historical costuming and costume construction, she approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by Theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Though born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. With an in-depth knowledge of and interest in historical costuming and costume construction, she approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by Theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
Director - Terri Andrews
Terri Andrews has worked in the stage and film industries for more than 30 years as a performer, producer, director and technician on both Canadian coasts. She has directed for several theatre companies, co-produced and technical directed the St. John’s Comedy Festival and the NL Screech Comedy Festival, and developed and directed all of the ever-popular Our Divas shows. In recent years, she’s been busy producing and directing large scale shows with her company, TaDa! Events, including: La Cage Aux Folles, RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar, Rock of Ages, Evita, Chicago, Cabaret, Rocky Horror, Gypsy, Cats, Alice in Wonderland - An Aerial Fairytale, Disney’s Tale As Old As Time, Blues Clues Live, The Vagina Monologues, White Christmas, and in 2018, produced and technical directed We Will Rock You. Terri has served on several arts related boards and committees and through her various projects continues to raise awareness and funds for a host of organizations, charities and scholarships. She is so happy to go back to her theatre roots with this project and the strong and supportive women who are involved in it.
Terri Andrews has worked in the stage and film industries for more than 30 years as a performer, producer, director and technician on both Canadian coasts. She has directed for several theatre companies, co-produced and technical directed the St. John’s Comedy Festival and the NL Screech Comedy Festival, and developed and directed all of the ever-popular Our Divas shows. In recent years, she’s been busy producing and directing large scale shows with her company, TaDa! Events, including: La Cage Aux Folles, RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar, Rock of Ages, Evita, Chicago, Cabaret, Rocky Horror, Gypsy, Cats, Alice in Wonderland - An Aerial Fairytale, Disney’s Tale As Old As Time, Blues Clues Live, The Vagina Monologues, White Christmas, and in 2018, produced and technical directed We Will Rock You. Terri has served on several arts related boards and committees and through her various projects continues to raise awareness and funds for a host of organizations, charities and scholarships. She is so happy to go back to her theatre roots with this project and the strong and supportive women who are involved in it.
Playwright - Andrea Dunne
Andrea Dunne is an up-and-coming theatre and film creator living and working in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Her first short play, One Thing, which she wrote and co-directed, opened the St. John’s Shorts 2016 festival and was recommended by the Overcast and described by reviewer Andrew Loman as “The highlight of the night.” Her next writing and directing effort, Besties, premiered at the 2017 festival, and a third short for the festival, First Date, co-written with Cole Hayley, premiered in 2018. Andrea was educated in writing and directing at Sheridan College in their Advanced Television and Film Program, and in theatre through Memorial University’s Diploma in Performance and Communications Media. She recently shadowed director Jillian Keiley on the Newfoundland portion of the National Arts Centre production The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, and is a part of the team behind the annual Women’s Work Festival. When not working in theatre Andrea works as an Assistant Director in television and film (Little Dog, Hudson & Rex), and her short films Makeover and Malignant have played at film festivals across Canada.
Andrea Dunne is an up-and-coming theatre and film creator living and working in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Her first short play, One Thing, which she wrote and co-directed, opened the St. John’s Shorts 2016 festival and was recommended by the Overcast and described by reviewer Andrew Loman as “The highlight of the night.” Her next writing and directing effort, Besties, premiered at the 2017 festival, and a third short for the festival, First Date, co-written with Cole Hayley, premiered in 2018. Andrea was educated in writing and directing at Sheridan College in their Advanced Television and Film Program, and in theatre through Memorial University’s Diploma in Performance and Communications Media. She recently shadowed director Jillian Keiley on the Newfoundland portion of the National Arts Centre production The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, and is a part of the team behind the annual Women’s Work Festival. When not working in theatre Andrea works as an Assistant Director in television and film (Little Dog, Hudson & Rex), and her short films Makeover and Malignant have played at film festivals across Canada.
Performer - Allison Moira Kelly
Allison Moira Kelly is an actor from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. Allison has an M.F.A
in Theatre from York University, and a B.F.A from Memorial University, Grenfell Campus.
Previously for PerSIStence, Allison acted in Isle of Demons. Allison has performed with
Perchance Theatre (Our Eliza, The Seagull, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Servant of Two
Masters), Resource Centre for the Arts (Seal Slippers, Dedication, Drowning Girls),
Halfhandsome (Almost Baymous 3), Rising Tide (Saltwater Moon). Allison is 1 fourth of the
sketch comedy troupe Mom’s Girls.
Allison Moira Kelly is an actor from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. Allison has an M.F.A
in Theatre from York University, and a B.F.A from Memorial University, Grenfell Campus.
Previously for PerSIStence, Allison acted in Isle of Demons. Allison has performed with
Perchance Theatre (Our Eliza, The Seagull, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Servant of Two
Masters), Resource Centre for the Arts (Seal Slippers, Dedication, Drowning Girls),
Halfhandsome (Almost Baymous 3), Rising Tide (Saltwater Moon). Allison is 1 fourth of the
sketch comedy troupe Mom’s Girls.
The Panel
Moderator - Amanda Will
Amanda Will has been involved in both the arts and the political community in Newfoundland and Labrador. She was a board member with the fantastic Persistence Theatre Company. She worked for the Writers Alliance and the Writers Guild. She helped build Boulder Books as an innovative publishing housing which has won the Best Atlantic Published Book award - most recently for the best-selling Saltwater Mittens knitting book which celebrates the history of knitting in Newfoundland. She worked for many years with the provincial NDP Caucus, chaired the Participation of Women’s Committee and was Co-Chair of the Gender & Equity Committee for Federal NDP. She had the opportunity to work with and learn from amazing women in the NDP like Alexa McDonough, Nancy Riche, and Lorraine Michael, as well as running as a candidate in federal and provincial elections. Currently, she works as Communications and Outreach Constituency Assistant with Jack Harris, M.P. for St. John's East where she is working on issues like a federal dental care plan for Canada.
Amanda Will has been involved in both the arts and the political community in Newfoundland and Labrador. She was a board member with the fantastic Persistence Theatre Company. She worked for the Writers Alliance and the Writers Guild. She helped build Boulder Books as an innovative publishing housing which has won the Best Atlantic Published Book award - most recently for the best-selling Saltwater Mittens knitting book which celebrates the history of knitting in Newfoundland. She worked for many years with the provincial NDP Caucus, chaired the Participation of Women’s Committee and was Co-Chair of the Gender & Equity Committee for Federal NDP. She had the opportunity to work with and learn from amazing women in the NDP like Alexa McDonough, Nancy Riche, and Lorraine Michael, as well as running as a candidate in federal and provincial elections. Currently, she works as Communications and Outreach Constituency Assistant with Jack Harris, M.P. for St. John's East where she is working on issues like a federal dental care plan for Canada.
Panelist - Cathy Bennett
With 30 years of business leadership, Cathy’s company, Bennett Group of Companies grew from a small group of service businesses to operations crossing multiple sectors. Cathy has served on dozens of corporate boards in areas of natural resources, manufacturing, construction, technology, financial and business services. Focused on supporting new entrepreneurs, she serves as associate fellow with Creative Destruction Lab and director with Propel ICT. She is one of the founders of Sandpiper Venture, supporting women founders and investors. She chairs TaskForceNL, a not-for-profit social enterprise whose mission is to connect and activate people to address opportunities and needs in NL. Cathy has been MHA in NL, serving Minister of Finance and Status of Women.
With 30 years of business leadership, Cathy’s company, Bennett Group of Companies grew from a small group of service businesses to operations crossing multiple sectors. Cathy has served on dozens of corporate boards in areas of natural resources, manufacturing, construction, technology, financial and business services. Focused on supporting new entrepreneurs, she serves as associate fellow with Creative Destruction Lab and director with Propel ICT. She is one of the founders of Sandpiper Venture, supporting women founders and investors. She chairs TaskForceNL, a not-for-profit social enterprise whose mission is to connect and activate people to address opportunities and needs in NL. Cathy has been MHA in NL, serving Minister of Finance and Status of Women.
Panelist - Amanda Bittner
Amanda Bittner is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Memorial University, where she also founded and directs the Gender and Politics Lab. She studies elections and voting, and has published on a wide variety of topics, including voters’ evaluations of party leaders and the effects of those evaluations on vote choice, voters’ attitudes about women in politics, the role of parenthood in politics, and the measurement of gender in survey research.
Amanda Bittner is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Memorial University, where she also founded and directs the Gender and Politics Lab. She studies elections and voting, and has published on a wide variety of topics, including voters’ evaluations of party leaders and the effects of those evaluations on vote choice, voters’ attitudes about women in politics, the role of parenthood in politics, and the measurement of gender in survey research.
Panelist - Shannie Duff
Shannie had over thirty years experience as an elected official serving as Mayor,. Deputy Mayor and Councillor at Large for the City of St. John’s and the Member of the House of Assembly for St. John’ s East. She was a founding member of Equal Voice Nl .I In retirement she frequently serves as a mentor and advisor for young women interested in running for elected office.
Her many awards for her lifetime of volunteer community service with non profit organizations and committees on the local, provincial and national level, include the Order of Canada, the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and an Honorary degree from Memorial University. She continues her active commitment to the voluntary sector as Chair of the Obrien Farm Foundation, Vice Chair of the Basilica Heritage foundation and a member of th board of Directors with the MUN Haris Centre and the Quidi vid Rennie’s River Development Foundation.
Shannie had over thirty years experience as an elected official serving as Mayor,. Deputy Mayor and Councillor at Large for the City of St. John’s and the Member of the House of Assembly for St. John’ s East. She was a founding member of Equal Voice Nl .I In retirement she frequently serves as a mentor and advisor for young women interested in running for elected office.
Her many awards for her lifetime of volunteer community service with non profit organizations and committees on the local, provincial and national level, include the Order of Canada, the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and an Honorary degree from Memorial University. She continues her active commitment to the voluntary sector as Chair of the Obrien Farm Foundation, Vice Chair of the Basilica Heritage foundation and a member of th board of Directors with the MUN Haris Centre and the Quidi vid Rennie’s River Development Foundation.
