From the Editor - Summer 2026

The summer issue of Voice is our women’s issue and an opportunity to highlight women’s programs, women’s voices and women’s experiences. As President David Mastin writes in his column, “We honour the women who hold our schools together. But we also demand investment. We demand democracy. And we demand that students and educators be treated like more than just a line item on a budget spread sheet.”

In Amplifying Black Women’s Voices: How to Get Involved in Politics Beyond Voting, Velma Morgan considers the importance of creating leadership pathways and supports for Black women. “The days of being ‘with us in spirit’ must come to an end,” she writes. “We need partners who are with us in action.” In Becoming Women in Action, Sharon Ethier writes about almost 30 years of an important ETFO women’s leadership program and the many members who have benefited from this dedicated space.

In The Menopause Story Educators Aren’t Being Told, Lisa Boate considers the impact this transition has on women’s lives and the importance of menopause-informed workplaces. “Without education,” she argues, “people interpret symptoms as personal failure rather than biological change.”

In The Need for Body Image Focused Classrooms, Heather Thompson talks about strategies she uses to encourage positive body image among her students and why it’s important for educators to incorporate these practices into their own classrooms. “By using inclusive language, selecting body-diverse resources, challenging weight-based assumptions, and modelling respect for our own and others’ bodies, educators can create spaces where all students feel seen, valued and safe to learn,” Thompson writes.

In Building Confidence, Community and Futures: Why Girls Who Game Belongs in the Classroom, Kamla Rambaran and Zélia Capitão-Tavares reflect on the declining interest in STEM that many educators see among girls as they enter their intermediate years, and how they are keeping girls engaged through gaming. “By integrating Girls Who Game into our classrooms and schools,” they write, “we are not just teaching coding or design, we are shaping identities, building confidence and opening doors.”

Also in this issue, an important new resource on mental health during pregnancy and postpartum, a themed crossword puzzle and some excellent book reviews.

Wishing you a restful summer break!

– Izida Zorde