PHOTOS: The Tiffany Show's International Women's Day Party

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Host of The Tiffany Show Tiffany Arcari hosted her third annual International Women’s Day Party on Sunday; celebrating local women, uplifting their stories and collecting menstrual products for the Period Promise initiative.

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Celebrate International Women’s Day in the City of Peterborough

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City of Peterborough residents are invited to an event to recognize and celebrate International Women’s Day at City Hall on March 7.

Photo by david tuan bui.

International Women’s Day, which is held annually on March 8, is dedicated to acknowledging the achievements, contributions and leadership of women and girls. 

Mayor Jeff Leal has issued a proclamation in support of International Women’s Day.  

“International Women's Day is a day to celebrate achievements, leadership and resilience of women and girls in our community and around the world. It is an opportunity to recognize the countless ways women contribute to our families, workplaces and neighbourhoods, often while overcoming barriers and inequities,” Mayor Jeff Leal said. 

The day begins with a rally and march that begins at City Hall (500 George St. N.) at 11:30 a.m.  

City Councillor Joy Lachica will read the International Women’s Day proclamation. The rally will also include drumming from the group Naandewegaan (Healing with Drums) and a poem from Peterborough’s Poet Laureate, Ziysah.  

The rally will be followed by a march downtown with an afternoon of activities in Friends of the Library Community Room at the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. N.) Events include music, light refreshments and a discussion with Kat Owens from the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund.  

The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, the Kawartha World Issues Centre and the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton have also organized events on March 7.

All events are free to attend, though registration for the events at the library is encouraged. Registration can be done online.

"This day invites us to reflect on the work that remains to advance fairness, inclusion and equal opportunity for all. By marking International Women’s Day, we reaffirm the importance of recognizing women’s contributions, amplifying their voices and continuing efforts toward a more equitable future for current and future generations,” said City Councillor Joy Lachica. 

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Rebecca van Staalduinen Named Head Coach of Excalibur Women’s Volleyball 

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Director of Athletics and Recreation at Trent University Nathan McFadden announced the appointment of Rebecca van Staalduinen as the new head coach of the Excalibur women's volleyball program. 

Photo courtesy of trent university.

A longtime member of the program, van Staalduinen becomes the first female head coach in the history of Trent women's volleyball. Van Staalduinen '10 (Champlain College) brings more than a decade of experience with the Excalibur to her new role. After completing 10 seasons as associate coach, she begins her 11th season with the program as head coach.

A graduate of Trent's Biology program with a specialization in Health Sciences, she has been a dedicated contributor to Excalibur volleyball both on the court as a student-athlete, and on the sidelines as a coach. 

"Rebecca's commitment to Trent women's volleyball and her passion for our student-athletes and their holistic development make her an outstanding choice to lead our women's program," said McFadden. "Her experience as both a student-athlete and coach at Trent gives her a deep understanding of our values and how we want to continue to build a successful program." 

Van Staalduinen first joined the Excalibur coaching staff during the 2014–15 season and has played a key role in the program's growth and development ever since. 

"I've been part of this program since 2010; as a student-athlete, an alum, and an assistant coach, and it has shaped who I am," said van Staalduinen. "I'm honoured to now step into the role of Head Coach, building on the strong foundation Colin has established over the past three seasons while continuing to move the program forward. This program means a great deal to me, and I'm excited about the future and the opportunity to continue growing it alongside our student-athletes and staff." 

Prior to her coaching career, van Staalduinen enjoyed a decorated playing career. She competed for one season at Fleming College, where she earned National Scholar recognition, before continuing her career with the Excalibur at Trent. During her four seasons as a student-athlete, she was named an Ontario Colleges Athletic Association First Team All-Star twice and a Second Team All-Star once. She helped lead Trent to an OCAA bronze medal in the 2013 to 2014 season and was named an OCAA Championship All-Star. Van Staalduinen was also a two-time team MVP and represented the program at the OCAA All-Star Game on three occasions. 

Her development as a coach has also included national-level training opportunities. In 2022 to 20223, van Staalduinen was selected to participate in the U SPORTS Female Apprentice Coach Program, an initiative designed to increase the number of women in coaching roles across Canadian universities by pairing developing coaches with experienced mentors.

As part of the transition, former head coach Colin Walker will remain with the program in a mentorship and senior advisory capacity with the women's team while continuing in his role as head coach of the men's volleyball program.

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The Tiffany Show’s International Women’s Day Event Returns March 8

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The Tiffany Show’s 3rd annual International Women’s Day Party event returns to inspire and uplift local women at The Venue March 8.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

The event aims to celebrate local women, share authentic stories and foster connection, confidence and empowerment.

Host of the Tiffany Show Tiffany Arcari announced prizes, partnerships and vendors for the event at a press conference Friday.

@ptbo_canada @The Tiffany Show’s 3rd annual International Women’s Day event is back; celebrating women in our community on March 8th at @The Venue! 🩷🚺 The free event has limited tickets still available, for more information visit ptbocanada .com #ptbocanada #internationalwomensday ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

Event attendees are encouraged to bring a menstrual product donation as the United Way’s Period Promise aims to collect 25,000 menstrual products for Kawartha Food Share. Arcari says her own health issues encouraged her involvement in this initiative.

“I remember thinking ‘thank God I can afford period underwear, diva cups, ultra tampons and ultra pads because these things are not inexpensive,’” reflected Arcari. “‘What do women that do not have funds and access to resources do?’”

arcari unveiled her event’s partnership with the united way’s period promise, aiming to combat period poverty in our community. Photo by Felicia Massey.

Last year’s event hosted hundreds and shared stories from local women that inspired and uplifted attendees.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and limited tickets are still available online.

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Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce Announces 2026 Luminary Awards Nominees for Women in Business

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The Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the nominees for the 2026 Luminary Awards for Women in Business, celebrating women whose leadership, innovation and generosity are strengthening the region’s economy and community.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Established to shine a light on women whose contributions are often overlooked, the Luminary Awards recognize leadership across entrepreneurship, employment, community service and long-term impact. The awards honour women who lead visibly and behind the scenes in business, non-profit and community settings, and who create opportunities for others through their work.

The inaugural Luminary Awards sold out in 2025, drawing more than 200 attendees and recognizing five outstanding recipients: Sheena Howard, Jenisha Sanjit Arora, Rachel Stark, Tiffany Arcari and Jeannine Taylor. Taylor received the first-ever Legacy Award, which recognizes a lifetime of excellence, generosity and community impact.

“The Legacy Award reflects the heart of what the Luminary Awards stand for,” said Chair of the Peterborough and Kawartha Chamber of Commerce Board Susan Dunkley. “It honours women whose careers have not only achieved success but have changed lives and strengthened our community over time.”

The following five categories introduced in the inaugural year return for 2026:

Legacy

Honouring a woman whose career is defined by excellence, generosity and community impact. Her vision and success have created opportunities for others through employment, mentorship, philanthropy or long-term influence; leaving an enduring mark.

Nominees:

  • Judy Byrne

  • Monika Carmichael

  • Dr. Kristy Hiltz

  • Vanessa Oake Hogan

  • Dr. Jenny Ingram

  • Jenni Johnston

  • Cathy Olley

  • Anne Ryan

  • Susan Tung

  • Wendy Kelly

  • Betty Halman-Plumley

Trailblazer (Entrepreneur)

Celebrating a business owner whose leadership, ingenuity and boldness have sparked success and inspired others.

Nominees:

  • Winter Barringer

  • Kinjal Shukla Clement

  • Lisa Couture

  • Leanne Crump

  • Marsha Gaulton

  • Richa Grover

  • Catherine Hanrahan

  • Tracy Minnema

  • Ashley Flynn

  • Danielle Turpin

  • Rebecca O'Rourke

Emerging Entrepreneur

Celebrating a rising business owner who has launched a fresh, innovative venture that is already making its mark and shows exciting potential for the future.

Nominees:

  • Kara Ainsworth

  • Chasley Keepfer

  • Karen Kerr

  • Erin Shannon

  • Elena Thomas

  • Ashley Woollacott

  • Ashley Flynn

  • Marsha Gaulton

One to Watch (Employee)

Recognizing an emerging leader whose innovative ideas, meaningful contributions and proven success show outstanding potential for the future. Nominees may hold entry to mid-level management roles.

Nominees:

  • Allison Adam

  • Bethan Bates

  • Amanda Bedford

  • Lindsey Brodie

  • Michelle Nguyen

  • Rosalea Terry

“It still continues to be a big deal for women to be recognized and I think the Chamber’s doing an amazing thing with this,” said The Ten Spot’s Lindsey Brodie. “When you are being validated by other women it is so much more impactful.”

Barrier Buster

Celebrating a remarkable woman who has excelled in her field by breaking through barriers. She has faced challenges, whether gender-based, systemic, cultural, language, disability-related, or otherwise; and risen above them with skill, creativity and perseverance.

Nominees:

  • Ashley Flynn

  • Bridget McCluckie

  • Jane Bischoff

  • Jordan Lyall

  • Kayley Duggan

  • Nour Mazloum

  • Stephanie Wilson

  • Tori Silvera

  • Marsha Gaulton

New for 2026, the Chamber has expanded the awards to include two additional categories:

Building Belonging

Celebrating a woman whose inclusive leadership and equity-driven innovation has reshaped how business is done, demonstrating that building for belonging is not just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic advantage. Nominees may focus on workplace culture, employee experience and/or customer-facing innovation.

Nominees:

  • Mackenzie Annis

  • Akshana Katoch

  • Jennifer Lawson

  • Peggy Shaughnessy

  • Danielle Turpin

  • Patricia Wilson

  • Marsha Gaulton

Community Catalyst

Celebrating a woman whose leadership, collaboration and vision have sparked positive change in the community. A Community Catalyst brings people together, builds partnerships and drives meaningful progress on local priorities. Nominees can be paid staff or volunteers of a not-for-profit organization, or be an employee or owner of a business or enterprise.

Nominees:

  • Ashley Woollacott

  • Abby Zotz

  • Ashley Collins

  • Betty Halman-Plumley

  • Chelsey Carberry

  • Dana Hetherton

  • Emma Featherstone

  • Michelle Ferreri

  • Sheridan Graham

  • Tonya Kraan

  • Kat McCartie

  • Amy Muir

  • Marcia Steeves

  • Meryn Steeves

  • Rosalea Terry

  • Lois Tuffin

  • Susan Zambonin

  • Rebecca O'Rourke

  • Nour Mazloum

“I’m a female-owned business in the boxing industry, which isn’t the norm,” said Marsha Gaulton of Eastside Boxing and Wellness, who was nominated for four Luminary Awards this year. “This is a huge honour for me to be recognized for what I’m doing. Just to be seen like this in the community, it feels like my heart is exploding.”

The 2026 Luminary Award Ceremony will take place on May 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Great Hall, Trent University (1600 West Bank Dr.).

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Red Dress Art Installation Leads To Residency In France For Peterborough Artist

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A community art project that began at the Peterborough Public Library has led to an international opportunity for local artist Ash Street, whose Red Dress installation has been selected as part of an artist residency in France. 

photo courtesy of peterborough public library, facebook.

Street has been accepted into the Atelier Artist in Residency program, a two-week international residency running from Feb. 2 to 16 in Normandy, France.

Created in recognition of Red Dress Day, Canada’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people (MMIW), the Red Dress installation invites the public to pause and reflect on the lives lost and the voices that continue to call for justice.   

Working in partnership with the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, Street created the initial piece in the Downie Wenjack Legacy Space at the Peterborough Public Library. Street invited community members to fill in open spaces on the dress with donated textiles and materials on hand. The exhibit is now on display in the main foyer of City Hall at 500 George St. N. 

“Inviting people to share in the process and engage in conversation has been at the heart of this work. That collective experience is what carried this project forward and ultimately opened the door to sharing these stories on an international stage,” Street said. “I am grateful to the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Public Library for offering me a space and the opportunity to create and share my work with the community. I would also like to thank Jaime Black-Morsette, a Métis artist, activist and creator of the MMIW red dress movement, who has inspired me to create the pieces I have made thus far.”

The residency program expressed interest in both the artistic merit of Street’s work and the broader community conversations it has generated, particularly around what MMIW means to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences. 

“The Red Dress installation is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and to continue the work of listening, learning and acting,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “By supporting this exhibit and the artist behind it, the City is helping create space for truth, reflection and community dialogue. We are proud to see a project rooted in community care and participation reach an international audience.”

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Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre's 'Take Back the Night' Hits Peterborough Square For Sexual Violence Awareness

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The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) is hosting its annual Take Back the Night (TBTN) advocacy and awareness event at the Peterborough Square Courtyard on Sept. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

This year’s theme of ‘Rage and Resistance.’ According to KSAC, it reflects the feelings of anger with how prevalent sexual violence still is.

The event is free and open to anyone. Light refreshments are available for participants.

The event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a variety of community agencies tabling to share information about their resources and how individuals can connect for support, says KSAC. Art supplies are available for anyone to drop by and create posters for the march later in the evening.

From 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., there will be poetry, speakers, and performers, followed by the candlelit solidarity march.

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Erica Evans's Game-Winning Goal Wins WMSL Provincial Championships With Mimico Mountaineers

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Peterborough’s Erica Evans had the game-winning goal in the Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL) Provincial Championship against the Peterborough Lakers at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Evans scored the game-tying goal at the point and rifled it through traffic to tie the game at three with 3:12 left in regulation.

Peterborough turned the ball over after Rayne Blasutti of the Mountaineers forced it out. She passed it to Breanna Shanahan, who fed it to Evans —fresh off the bench — had a breakaway and ripped one past Lakers goaltender Emily VanDamme for the game-winner. She scored with 2:33 left in regulation, just 39 seconds after her last goal.

“Obviously, super exciting to have an impact on my team in a provincial championship and doing it in front of family and friends,” said Evans. “This is my first time ever winning a provincial championship so winning it at home is extra special.”

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The win was part of a comeback where the Lakers had a 3-1 lead just halfway through the third period.

Evans’s pair of goals gave the Mountaineers their first WMSL title.

“Having teammates and coaches that have such a strong belief and love for the game helped motivate me throughout the whole tournament,” said Evans.

The tournament saw 10 teams in a three-day event that took place at the Peterborough Memorial Centre and Healthy Planet Arena.

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David Tuan Bui


Red Dress Community Art Installation Relocated and Extended to City Hall

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The City of Peterborough has relocated and extended the Red Dress community art installation to the City Hall lobby, announced on Monday. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Created in recognition of Red Dress Day, Canada’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, the Red Dress installation invites the public to pause, reflect and bear witness to the lives lost and the voices that continue to call for justice.

Each piece of red fabric, yarn, or beading in the dress was contributed by members of the community, making it not only a symbol of loss but also of solidarity and shared responsibility. 

The collaborative art installation originated at the Peterborough Public Library in May.

“Bringing the installation to City Hall ensures it remains visible in the heart of our civic space,” said Councillors Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk in a joint statement. “It is a reminder that remembrance and reconciliation are not passive acts. They require presence, dialogue, and continued effort from all of us.” 

“This installation holds space for grief and remembrance, but also for learning and collective action. By moving the dress to City Hall, we are continuing to centre the importance of truth-telling and inviting all residents to take part in this journey,” said Shelley Knott, Indigenous Relations Advisor with the City. “The Red Dress is a reminder of the disproportionate violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, a crisis rooted in colonialism and systemic inequity. According to Statistics Canada, more than 63 per cent of Indigenous women in Canada have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime.” 

Visitors can view the installation at City Hall, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are also invited to engage in learning, allyship, and advocacy.  

According to a press release, the City encourages all community members to: 

  • Learn more about the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+ and its final report.   

  • Support Indigenous-led organizations doing front-line and advocacy work 

  • Attend public events, smudges, and ceremonies 

  • Reflect on how to foster safety and accountability in the community 

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Photos: City of Peterborough Proclaims Red Dress Day For Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

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City Hall was covered in red dresses to mark the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2S) in a ceremony on Monday morning.

Mayor Jeff Leal proclaimed Monday as Red Dress Day, recognizing Indigenous women who were missing or murdered throughout Canada.

“Red Dress Day is a powerful reminder of the heartbreaking and ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people in Canada,” said Leal. “The red dresses hanging in silence call out for justice, action and for the recognition of lives lost and families forever changed. On the National Day of Awareness, I encourage all residents of Peterborough to take a moment to reflect on the lives behind the statistics, and to consider hanging a red dress in a window, on a porch, or in a public space as a powerful symbol of remembrance and solidarity.”

The ceremony had smudging, drumming and singing, speeches and stories told throughout the event. A red flag with a black handprint was flown at half-mast as City Hall to mark the event.

“We cannot turn away from the systemic racism and gender-based violence that have made Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people disproportionately vulnerable,” said Shelley Knott, Advisor, Indigenous Relations with the City of Peterborough. “As a country, and as a community, we have a responsibility to listen, to learn, and to act. On this National Day of Awareness, we ask that you stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities in honouring the memory of those who are missing or murdered—and in committing to a future where all people can live in safety, dignity and respect.”

City Hall’s windows have red dresses hung inside to show solidarity with the event.

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