Second Story Women's Centre
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Co-creating a safe place for women & girls to rise to their full potential.
Who we are at SSWC: The Team
Our Mission Statement
Second Story Women's Centre works to enhance women's lives by providing services and
education designed to promote personal growth, community awareness, and social change.
We work
towards equality and respect within a women-centred environment and support women's rights to make
their own decisions.
Our Philosophy
Feminists: A feminist believes in the social equality of the sexes. Feminism is a political, social, and cultural movement dedicated to promoting equal rights for women in all aspects of life. Feminism is not a single ideology, but rather is characterized by a diverse set of perspectives and movements dedicated to promoting women's rights.
Pro-choice: We accept the political and ethical view that a woman has total control over her fertility and pregnancy. This includes access to accurate sexual education, access to safe and legal abortion, support and resources for continuing pregnancies, contraceptive and fertility treatments; and legal protection from forced abortion.
Inclusive: We do not treat others unfairly or differently on account of age; race; colour; religion; creed; sex; sexual orientation; physical disability or mental disability; ethnic, national or aboriginal status; family status; marital status; source of income; political belief/affiliation/activity; an irrational fear of contracting an illness or disease; or an individual's association with another individual/class of individuals having characteristics referred to above.
Accepting: We recognize it is not possible to fully understand the life of another individual.
We realize not all people live the same lifestyle or make the same choices as we do and we do not judge people for these differences.
Individuals who Possess Ethical / Moral Decision Making Skills: Adherence to all signed agreements is mandatory and we are mindful of any situation that may cause an ethical dilemma. It is wise to approach a colleague or the Administrative Coordinator for guidance when faced with an ethical decision.
Sally Hutchinson is our Support Coordinator. She meets women who call or drop into the
Centre in need of information, referrals or support. She facilitates core programming within the Centre as well as off site
Personal Development and Pre-employment programs partnering with Department of Community Services.Sally is certified in Reality Therapy/Choice Theory. She has experience in the field of addictions, facilitating education groups and a weekly support group for families affected by the addiction of another. Her passion lies in working with women to uncover their creativity and focus on their strengths to realize their full potential.
Sally has created and delivers workshops titled Colouring Outside the Lines for any woman who is interested in accessing their creativity through fun, exploration and play. She is the face behind the faces of Rumplestiltskins - one-of-a-kind characters made in leather.
Joanne Jefferson is the Centre's Community Relations Coordinator. Her role
includes coordinating the participation of volunteers, enhancing public awareness of the Centre, and building cooperative
relationships with other community organizations. She also contributes to the Centre's core programming.
Joanne brings her experience as a volunteer with schools, community events, and feminist groups, as well as her expertise as a professional writer, editor, and facilitator.
After years of working from a home office, Joanne enjoys the stimulation of collaborating with supportive co-workers.
Tara Jaskowiak holds the position of Administrative Coordinator. Her role is to oversee the
administrative activities of Second Story and to ensure that guidelines, philosophy, purpose, goals and objectives of the organization are
met. Her background is rooted in volunteerism, community development and youth engagement. She is also a Birth and Postpartum Doula, which allows her to support and advocate for women in their childbearing years.
Tara looks forward to meeting you and hearing your thoughts on what kind of work we can do here at Second Story to best welcome and support you.
Marilyn Zinowki holds the position of Financial Services Co-ordinator for SSWC. Marilyn is a relative newcomer
to Lunenburg, having moved here from Montreal. Her education is in business and finance and she has worked in the field of
accounting for many years as well as operating a busy pet-and-house-sitting business.
Marilyn's passion for helping women reach their potential has been fueled by her experience organizing running workshops for women and witnessing them achieve personal goals. Her motivation to provide ethical and effective management means that budgets are maintained and that funding is properly allocated and recorded.
Our Board of Directors
- Anne-Marie S. Sheppard, Co-Chair
- Suki Starnes, Co-Chair
- Jan McKenzie, Secretary
- Sylvia Booth, Finance Officer
- Attracta Daurie
- Susan Foote
- Nancy Ross
- Laura Smith
- Elizabeth Hamilton
- Lisa Nicholson
- Linda Thompson
Contact us today - we look forward to hearing from you!
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