Women’s Offi cer Note by Kraanti Agarwal

Women’s Offi cer Note

by Kraanti Agarwal

Intersectional activism, love, respect, and standing up for the student’s safety had been at the centre of this year. With the fi rst year of returning back to campus postCOVID, I was challenged with running the department alone. However, I never found myself alone, well, I guess maybe that’s the whole point of a ‘union’. Despite the challenges, the department has run action collectives, social events, open mics, and also introduced fi rst-ever ‘Feminist Workshops’, giving students an opportunity to share their lived experience through an intersectional feminist lens, and compensating them for their work. It was an incredible honour to serve students, and this union as the Women’s Offi cer for 2022.

Amongst the utmost chaos, I found my three gems, the editors of 2022 Judy’s Punch – Andrea, Helena, and Dana. I am extremely proud of them. Their hard work, passion, and love for radical publishing are what inspire me the most. “Through the looking glass” is a refl ection of the 2022 editorial team, along with the contributors, without whom we wouldn’t have this magazine. Friday afternoons, stealing time from stressful uni work, I have found my team de-stressing through their creative imaginations, giggles and laughters, oversharing- and sharing ideas with a slice of pizza, and meeting tight deadlines, is what has shaped this year’s Judy’s.

“Through the looking glass”, when I think about it, I can see two versions of myself- a younger 10-year-old self, of whom I am incredibly proud for not giving up. And then, a future one, who I was always unsure about until I found my chosen Queer parent- Srishti, without whom I would have not survived this year. They held my hand throughout the way, especially during the creation and production of 2022 Judy’s Punch. I am thankful for their love, care, support, and unwavering faith in me.

This year, the department climbed another ladder in the ‘Safety on Campus’ campaign, by getting the university to review its standalone sexual misconduct policy, to adapt to an updated defi nition of consent, and commit to an independent investigative process. I would like to thank Naomi and Lauren, UMSU Sexual Harm Response Coordinators, without whom this achievement is vain, and for holding me and keeping me safe throughout the year. Sending immense gratitude to UMSU Staff, without who’s help, and patience the department would have not been able to achieve anything. Special thanks to Carolyn, my chosen grandmother for the warm hugs that have kept me going. And lastly, my favourite colleague [and housemate], Zachary Matthews, UMSU Enviro Offi cer, for feeding me and channelling their strength. I know now, the future refl ection that I always saw, was the love and support of the people that will bring me courage in hard times.

Dear reader, I hope you fi nd these refl ections of solidarity and love in our mirror of 2022 Judy’s Punch.

In loving solidarity, Kraanti