The Martlet

Are you a gurl, a sistah or an auntie?

If you join antidote, it doesn’t matter how old or young you are — all you need is to be passionate about sharing your voice and empowering women in your community.

“We’re creating a safe place where we can feel free to express ourselves,” said Tracy Ho, the events facilitator for the organization.

Established in 2002, antidote is a grassroots network of over 150 multiracial girls and women in Victoria who self-identify as members of an ethnic minority. They represent diverse voices, ages, ethno-cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds.

Though the group has existed for years, this year will mark the first time antidote will have a presence on campus.

Gathering steam with coverage from CBC Radio and A Channel, the group also has a letter of support from Mayor Dean Fortin and wants to continue to raise their profile.

“Everyone out there has been so enthusiastic,” said Ho. They set up a booth at Victoria’s Pride Parade and received a warm reception from the crowd.

Collaborating with groups on campus such as the Women’s Centre and the Students of Colour Collective, antidote wants to help women share their experiences with each other.

The organization could end up filling gaps for people who don’t feel represented by the other organizations on campus. Rather than catering to exclusive members, as the Women’s Centre does, antidote welcomes allies of all backgrounds to contribute to the cause.

“We’re really open,” said Ho. “We have all kinds of different people involved, [with] members of the community helping however they can.”

Ho said there’s a huge need for antidote’s network on the Island.

“When I first came to Victoria, I was shocked,” said Ho.

Having grown up in Vancouver, she was accustomed to living in a vibrant community.

“When I was in Vancouver, I saw myself in other people. I felt like I belonged,” she said.

Not so when she arrived on the Island.

“It’s weird, because you don’t think of Vancouver and Victoria as being that far apart. But it seems to make a huge difference,” said Ho.

“I felt like I didn’t belong. I didn’t feel represented.”

Ho emphasized that while others may empathize with these feelings, no one understands it unless they have experienced it for themselves. Having a network of women who have gone through the same things gives them the opportunity to excel.

“We’re not alone,” she said.

Ho said that the multi-generational aspect of the club is part of the appeal, as younger and older women have different lessons to teach each other.

It’s no mistake that the women in the club assume the roles of sistahs, aunties and gurls — Ho said they become a surrogate family.

On Oct. 8, antidote is holding a free community forum and fundraiser at the Victoria Event Centre. With a silent auction, door prizes and drink sales, the women hope to raise money for their organization.

To find out more about how you can get involved with antidote, visit antidotenetwork.org.