Rachel's Blog Archive : 2008
December 27, 2008
My friend Samuel just announced to me that I am mentioned in SWAY Magazine as one of the future "political forces". It is very flattering.
December 26, 2008
I decided to volunteer for Operation Red Nose this year. I, along with some other volunteers, will be driving home Ottawa and Gatineau residents who seek a safe and sober transportation method.
December 24, 2008
Wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday season.
December 20, 2008
In just one month, I will attend the Obama Inauguration Celebration in Washington, D.C. Can't wait!
December 10, 2008
I am featured in the current issue of "Ottawa Magazine", in an article which highlights the Nov 4th fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters Ottawa which I organized.
December 15, 2008
Ottawa's annual Martin Luther King Day is just a month away. I am in the planning stages of the City Hall event along with my friend Blake Batson. More info to come later.
November 15, 2008
You can catch me on the next edition of "Front on From" on Rogers TV. Discussing the wonderful experience of volunteering for the Obama Camp with other Ottawan who made the travelling sacrifice to be part of history.
November 7, 2008
Last night, the six winners of the Governor Generals' Persons Case Awards were honoured at a Senate dinner on Parliament Hill, presided by Senator Champagne, with guests including former Prime Minister Joe Clark and Senator Oliver. It was an honour to be amongst such distinguished guests. Read about the Persons Case Awards here and here.
November 5, 2008
I apologize for waiting so long between updates. I have been busy lately. You probably already know I was part of the Campaign for Change in the USA.
I spent the last weekend in Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, and also a very important Swing State for the US Election. I
attended a rally in Scranton, PA featuring Rory Kennedy, the daughter of RFK, and
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of JFK, who made moving tributes to both their fathers and the now President-Elect Barack Obama. Over the next few weeks, I
look forward to sharing some more experiences with you.
October 9, 2008
Two friends and I are driving to Michigan this long weekend. Working on Obama's campaign out of the Dearborn office. Maybe even a pit stop at Motown Records museum....
September 30, 2008
I have been working with the Liberals in Ottawa-Orleans, in Ottawa-Center and at the national headquarters in Ottawa. It is hard work. I am tired.
September 15, 2008
On Saturday, I attended to the Campaign office opening of Penny Collenette. She is running for the seat in Ottawa-Center. Penny is a hard working woman, and she's smart. What else do you need to know to vote for her?Yesterday, I attended the Campaign Launch of my future-MP, Marc Godbout in Ottawa-Orléans. MP David McGuinty was the guest speaker, with a talk about the Liberal values we hold dear. Nice hearty breakfast, too!
August 30, 2008
The Simulation of European Parliament was a roaring success! Not only did I have the honour of sitting in Pauline Marois' seat in the Salon Bleu of the oldest Parliament in the Americas, but I got my resolution on the Poverty Commission passed on the last day of our parliamentary sitting, after much lobbying the night before. What a great enterprise! I recommend any Poli Sci, Int'l Development and anyone who reads BBC news website to participate in this week-long enriching experience.
August 23, 2008
I went to see Celine Dion on the Planes of Abraham in Quebec City -- along with 200,000 others. She had many special guests, most notably Ginette Reno. Then, I had a mini vacation in Baie-St-Paul, QC. Nice quaint little town in the Charlevoix region.
August 21, 2008
Departure : going to Sherbrooke, the Eastern Townships, and then Quebec City, for Céline Dion concert on the Abraham Plaines!
August 14, 2008
Next week, I will be a delegate at the SPECQUE (Simulation of European Parliament Canada-Québec-Europe). I hope to take full advantage of the festivities celebrating Quebec City's 400th anniversary. There seems to be a plethora of activities... which ones to choose?
July 24, 2008
I am volunteering tonight at the 11th annual BCSF Night @ The Races. It is a fundraiser to send local needy black kids to university. Out of all the bursaries awarded over the past 12 years, 2 of them are now in medical school, and another 2 are in Law School.
July 17, 2008
Happy Birthday to honorary Canadian and international hero, Nelson Mandela! www.HappyBirthdayMandela.com"Where human beings are being oppressed, there is more work to be done. Our work is for freedom for all," said a visibly frail Mandela, who had to be helped slowly on stage.
"It is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now. I thank you," added Mandela, who turns 90 on July 18.
June 30, 2008
Happy Canada Day to all! See you at Petrie Island!
June 17, 2008
Following this newspaper article, I dug through my closet to find 2 satin gowns which I will be donating to the Fairy Godmother Ottawa organization. I encourage all readers to follow suit.
June 16, 2008
This weekend, Premier Dalton McGuinty hosted over one thousand Ontario
residents for the annual convention. I was a volunteer, and I also
attended several sessions, including one on Health with Minister
Smitherman.
It was fun to meet people from all
over the province, as well as MPPs, including my former University professor,
MPP Liz Sandals.
June 8, 2008
I attended the Canada Peace Festival Presentation Meeting in Ottawa. Ottawa is one of few cites slotted to host this interactive conference which encourages interaction and understanding among different religions.
June 7, 2008
Last night, the Umoja Network held an information session about One Match, the
national org which matches donors with Jennifer Philippe, director, Onematch
(bone marrow and stem cell network). Becoming a donor isn't quite as onerous
as it used to be. You can sign up online, and then use a CSI Grisham's swab
to collect your own samples. Pretty cool!
June 6, 2008
Historica held its annual cocktail to celebrate the good work they do to inspire Canadian youth through their week-long programs which allow teens to explore a specific area of interest, including, for example, Science and Tech Week when students get to visit the RCMP forensic Lab (the real "C.S.I."!)Special guest included a visually impaired pianist from NB, who entertained us with his version of "Piano Man", "Crocodile Rock" and the famous song from "Mes Aïeux". Encounters Canada is one of the best kept secrets of success for thousands of Canadians who have participated and benefited from this program over the past 25 years.
June 5, 2008
I attended the fundraising breakfast for Ottawa-Orléans Federal Liberal Association, where MP Martha Hall Findlay gave an impassionate talk about the Leader's plans for the Party and for Canada. She also dispelled some misconceptions about the proposed Carbon Shift.
June 2, 2008
I attended "High Heels from the Hill", an fundraiser hosted by the National Women's Liberal Commission. Penny Collenette, Martha Hall Findlay and Michael Ignatieff showed their support. Women and supporters of women in Parliament gathered to fundraise for the Judy LaMarsh Fund. I got to meet MP Diane Marleau, and she was kind enough to share both the struggles she encountered when she was first elected in 1988, but the challenges women continue to face, and how she overcame some of them. Thanks MP Marleau!
May 8, 2008
This morning's Era 21 Networking Breakfast for Young Canadians at the Parliamentary Restaurant on Parliament Hill was a fun way for me to chat with the future generation of leaders. A special "hello" to Tomisin, Adam, Anna, Teshauna, Khadeejat, Amalia, Adey, Asha and Keisar! All 3 panelists had great ideas and poignant stories to share with the hand-picked Grade 12 students in attendance. Ottawa-Centre MPP, Yasir Naqvi, had this to say:- Define your own stereotype. Don't get stuck in one. Don't get stuck in a box.
- Be proactive in setting your own goals. Define your own path.
- Don't fall in the trap of age, gender, ethnicity. You can transcend those barriers.
April 27, 2008
I attended to the Harry Jerome Awards Gala in Toronto, where Willy O'Ree, the first ever Black hockey player, was honoured, among many other Canadians who have contributed to the greatness of this wonderful country. I'll post the photo of myself with the "Jackie Robinson of hockey" later. It was a truly inspiring evening! I hope we, one day, have the will and the audacity to honour our heroes here in the National Capital Region.April 12, 2008
On Wednesday, April 23rd I will dine out with Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre, to help fight the
impact of HIV/AIDS in our community.
A Taste For Life, it's simple!
- Book a table at one of many participating restaurants for April 23rd.
- Go out for dinner with your friends and family and have a great evening!
- The restaurant will donate 25% of the cost of your meal to Bruce House and the Snowy Owl AIDS Foundation.
April 12, 2008
The Mercury Lounge offered a live concert of funk/dance/disco with King Sunshine, a group of young Torontonians who look like they include every ethnic group imaginable. I've always had a soft spot for a good horn section, and especially the saxophone, so I was well served!
April 9, 2008
I went to Carleton University for a fundraiser which benefits the Carrington Community Center. Penny Collenette and Justin Trudeau came out to support this good cause.
March 28, 2008
I was a guest speaker at the annual Diversity Meeting put on by Correctional Services Canada entitled "Diversity Starts With Me". There was a genuine interest in the subject of my talk, as I could see with the number of people taking notes while I was speaking. It is good to see The Suits at CSC show their commitment to addressing this topic.March 18, 2008
The United Nations Association in Canada held an event at Gatineau City Hall to honour children from across Canada who are attending a conference this week, and participating in policy initiatives. Alex Munter was guest speaker. Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) was the corporate sponsor. I'm glad I shop @ MEC.
March 7, 2008
The Famous 5 Foundation's Luncheon paid homage to Flora MacDonald, who served 16 years (1972-88) as MP for Kingston . She was the first woman to seek the leadership of a political party in Canada, as well as the first ever female Secretary of State for External Affairs of Canada. Mrs. MacDonald may be in her eighties, but it does not stop her from travelling to the rural parts of Afghanistan (she started over a decade ago!) to work with and encourage the women of Afghanistan to better their lives.
March 4, 2008
Equal Voice had a breakfast this morning at the Rideau Club, where MP Alexa McDonough was the featured speaker. Well worth waking up early to hear Ms. McDonough share the tales of her trials and tribulations in her early career!
February 29, 2008
I had the pleasure of presenting a Black Canadian History seminar to Grade 6 at Pierre Elliott Trudeau primary school in the South end of Ottawa. The enthusiasm for the subject was palpable and the students participated actively in the discussions. I cannot wait to return to PET school!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Looks like my trip to Halifax will be quite interesting, with events in the works in partnership with both community organisations and local universities.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
I have won a pair of tickets to the CBC's Alanis Morissette tribute concert Jagged Little Concert this coming Monday at the NAC! Last week, I won a private tour of the exhibit Secret Riches: Ancient Peru Unearthed at the Museum of Civilization from Radio-Canada. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket....
Friday, February 8, 2008
They celebrated the inauguration of BHM at Parliament Hill last night. We were treated with a jazz band, gospel music, as well as theatrical shorts by soon-to-be Oscar winners from a from Fisher Park grade school.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I contacted my friends Yang and Stella today to wish them Happy Chinese New Year! Marilla tells me its "Kung Hei Fat Choi" in Chinese.
January 31, 2008
Rachel is volunteering in local schools, as a special guest to talk about Black Canadian historical figures. Seeing a living, breathing example of successful black images can change a young life, influence their decisions and make them feel acknowledged and included. I'll be visiting several schools in the next 4 weeks, as well as other notables like Adrian Harewood.Black Canadian History is not part of the official school curriculum, but young professionals and post-secondary students are volunteering to give a presentation in local schools, as part of Black History Month.
These speakers will discuss topics of interest to students of all backgrounds, including Black Canadian History, academic and professional success. In the past, we have found that this has been of value to students of all backgrounds. (perhaps we have contributed more than just music and dancing to this country.)
-- BCSF.ca
January 20, 2008
This morning, I attended Parkdale United Church's Annual Martin Luther King Day Commemorative Service, committed to remembering and extending Dr King's dream of a Global Beloved Community. The Montreal-based Imani Gospel Singers provided lively music, and hymns such as "Oh Happy Day". The service culminated with the congregation singing "We Shall Overcome", in unison, hand in hand.
January 20, 2008
Last night, Tiempo Libre and the National Arts Centre Orchestra presented the Canadian premiere of Rumba Sinfónica, a new symphonic work by revered Venezuelan composer Ricardo Lorenz in collaboration with Jorge Gomez of Tiempo Libre. The band also performed an electrifying set of timba music, an irresistible mix of high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of son, which had concert-goers on their feet and dancing.