About Women Transforming Cities

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How we work to make cities more equitable:

Women Transforming Cities (WTC) aims to radically shift social, economic, and political power to equity-deserving groups to reshape who cities are built by and for so that communities’ needs are met and everyone can belong, participate, and thrive. WTC is a registered charity, founded in 2011 by former Vancouver City Councillor Ellen Woodsworth.

In Ellen’s own words, “we have to pay attention at the city level because this is where we are, and this is where we can make a change”.

In the community, we work with equity-deserving communities, front-line organizations, labour groups, and movements to…

  • Build civic skills and power of those who have been historically excluded from local government processes.

  • Deliver training on intersectional feminism, community organizing, engagement, grassroots campaigning, and understanding local government.

  • Organize and advocate for more equitable policies, programs, and systems at a local level.

  • Develop resources to support civic engagement, democratic participation, and local advocacy.

At the systems level, we work with local government decision-makers to…

  • Amplify the priorities of equity-deserving communities at city halls.

  • Challenge policies and decisions that harm marginalized communities.

  • Advocate to decision-makers to adopt and implement equity-driven policies.

  • Create tools and resources to accelerate action on equity, justice, and decolonization.

  • Hold decision-makers accountable to their commitments to equity-deserving communities

  • Conduct research to understand and address systemic barriers to participation.

who we work with

We work with equity-deserving genders, including women, girls, trans, genderqueer, non-binary, Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA++ and allies. We work alongside partner organizations as part of a movement supporting local advocacy. We are committed to continuing to learn and evolve our understanding, language, and actions around gender inclusion.

Why Cities?

Municipal government is the closest level of government to communities. Local governments make policy decisions every day that directly impact equity-seeking genders—including transit, housing, childcare, land planning, use of public spaces, community safety, reconciliation and decolonization.

Cities, towns, local communities, and neighbourhoods are an important and often overlooked site of resistance and action in our pursuit of gender, racial, and social equity.

We’re working

towards cities where...

  • Equity-deserving communities and grassroots organizations participate in civic processes that hold local governments accountable for progressing policies and programs that meet their needs.

  • Civic processes are more accessible, inclusive, and safer for community participation.

  • Local governments propose, enact, and advance policies that centre reconciliation and reflect the priorities of equity-deserving communities.

  • Electeds follow through on their commitments to equity-deserving communities as a result of consistently being held accountable.

Theory of Change

Our Mission: WTC aims to radically shift social, economic, and political power to equity-deserving groups to reshape who cities are built by and for so that communities’ needs are met and everyone can belong, participate, and thrive.

  • Our Grounding Truths:

    Cities that work for women, girls, Two Spirit, trans, non-binary, and all equity-deserving genders work for everyone

    Cities are often overlooked sites of resistance

    Local governments are colonial systems that have been designed to exclude

    Equitable participation is essential for transformation at the local level

    Decision-makers must reflect the diversity of the communities they serve

    People are experts in their own lives

    Community care and solidarity are vital to sustaining movements

  • What We Do at the community level:

    We work with equity-deserving communities, organizations, and movements to: 

    Build civic skills and power of those who have been historically excluded from local government processes

    Deliver training on intersectional feminism, community organizing, engagement, grassroots campaigning, and advancing reconciliation at a local level 

    Collaborate and organize with aligned community groups and front-line organizations to advocate for equity issues 

    Develop resources to support civic engagement, democratic participation, and local advocacy

  • What we do at the systems level:

    We work with local government decision-makers to:

    Amplify the priorities of equity-deserving communities at city halls

    Challenge policies and decisions that harm marginalized communities 

    Advocate to decision-makers to adopt and implement equity-driven policies 

    Create tools and resources to accelerate action on equity issues and reconciliation

    Hold decision-makers accountable to their commitments to equity-deserving communities

    Conduct research to understand and address systemic barriers to participation

  • We are inspired by and constantly learning from:

    2SLGBTQI+ activists

    Anti-Capitalism/Anti-Neoliberalism

    Anti-Colonialism

    Anti-Racism

    Black and Indigenous organizers

    Community care and mutual aid 

    Disability Justice

    Intersectional feminism

    Transformative Justice 

    The wisdom of local communities

  • Through this work:

    Equity-deserving groups have a deeper understanding of intersectionality and how to apply it as a framework for campaigns and advocacy

    Residents are better informed of the equity priorities and the track records of local elected officials and candidates

    Decision-makers know the needs of equity-deserving communities and barriers to civic participation

    Equity-deserving communities and grassroots organizations have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in civic processes and advocate for policies and programs that meet their needs

    Decision-makers know that WTC is tracking and reporting on their actions to advance equity and reconciliation

    WTC has a growing community of individuals who are learning, engaging, and participating in municipal issues

    Local governments are informed, motivated, and understand their role in advancing equity issues and reconciliation

  • We're working towards cities where:

    Equity-deserving communities and grassroots organizations participate in civic processes that hold local governments accountable for progressing policies and programs that meet their needs

    Civic processes are more accessible, inclusive, and safer for community participation

    Local governments propose, enact, and advance policies that centre reconciliation and reflect the priorities of equity-deserving communities

    Electeds follow through on their commitments to equity-deserving communities as a result of consistently being held accountable

  • So that:

    The needs of equity-deserving communities who have been historically excluded are heard, prioritized, and reflected in local government policies, budgets and processes

View our full Theory of Change