Our Stories Strong Women

8 SHORT STORIES ABOUT CANADIAN
WOMEN WRITTEN JUST FOR KIDS
STRONG WOMEN
STRONG COMMUNITIES
STORIES BY:
TYANNAH BROWN
RACHELLE GOODEN
TARA KAPOOR
ANNE MORAA
CHIDINMA BLESSING OKAFOR
AMANDA OTTLEY
Strong Women, Strong
Communities
STRONG WOMEN,
STRONG COMMUNITIES
Inspiring Kids Stories About

Canadian Women
TYANNAH BROWN; RACHELLE

GOODEN; TARA KAPOOR; ANNE
MORAA; CHIDINMA BLESSING
OKAFOR; AND AMANDA OTTLEY
The Pamoja Institute for Community

Engagement and Action
Strong Women, Strong Communities Copyright © 2023 by The Pamoja
Institute for Community Engagement and Action. All Rights Reserved.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements vii
Introduction viii
Editor's Note ix
I Dream of Yukon 1
Yukon
Tyannah Brown
The Case of the Missing Space: The Story of 10
Dae Shields
British Columbia
Tara Kapoor
A Bold Idea: Nurse Ottley And MPP Hunter 17
Listen
Ontario
Anne Moraa
Winnie and the Magic Masks 22
Newfoundland
Rachelle Gooden
You Can Be Anything: The Story of Stephanie 30
Bernard
Nunavut
Chidinma Blessing Okafor
A Perfect Pair: Michele And Glyn Work 34
Together
Ontario
Anne Moraa
Count on Dr. O 38
Quebec
Rachelle Gooden
The Itsy Bitsy Virus 42
Nova Scotia
Amanda Ottley
Final Thoughts 45
Project Team 46
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are deeply grateful to the talented team of writers, editors,

and artists who have brought this collection of children’s
stories to life. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for
these stories have been essential to their success, and I am
deeply grateful for their contributions.
We would also like to acknowledge the real-life Canadian

women who inspired these stories. Their courage,
determination, and resilience in the face of the COVID-19
pandemic have been an inspiration to us all, and it has been a
privilege to be able to share their stories with a wider audience.
Finally, we would like to express our appreciation to the

readers of these stories. It is our hope that these tales will
inspire and empower young people to make a difference in
their own communities and to be the change they wish to see
in the world. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Funding
This project has been made possible by the Government of

Canada.
INTRODUCTION
Hello friends, we are so excited to bring you an inspiring

journey through the great nation of Canada!
We’re going to meet some incredible women who are making

a difference in their communities through their resilience,
creativity, and determination. These women come from all
walks of life, and include Black women who are using their
talents, passions, and platforms to bring about positive change.
From British Columbia to Newfoundland, we’ll travel across

Canada, meeting young artists, immigrants, and activists who
are inspiring others and lifting up our communities. These
women are truly remarkable, and their stories will leave you
feeling hopeful and inspired.
So join me on this magical journey as we celebrate the courage

and determination of these amazing Canadian women. Let’s
be inspired to make a difference in our own communities!
EDITOR'S NOTE
When I was asked to be part of Our Stories, I was pleasantly

surprised. Being the editor of this compilation has been an
honour and a privilege. Working with the student authors has
been a highlight of this project. These young women are very
talented, and I am sure that they will go on to become
incredible difference-makers in their communities.
Some unsung heroes of this project are our children. We

wanted to get this spot on, so my children and the Ottley boys
listened tirelessly to all the versions of the stories, providing
feedback through their smiles, giggles, and puzzled looks,
when verses just did not sound right.
Mostly though, the backbone of Our Stories has been Amanda

Ottley. With much drive and vision, Amanda succeeded in
telling the stories of Canadian sheroes of colour across our
incredible nation.
To all the women who read this, you are a shero. You have a
voice, and you have a story to tell. To all the children who hear
these stories or read these stories, you can achieve anything.
Just dream!
Rachelle Gooden
I DREAM OF YUKON
Yukon
Tyannah Brown
Hello, my name is Brandy!
I live in Toronto, Canada. I am a personal support worker but

I am also training to become a nurse.
Every day I wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning. It is still dark

outside, but I can hear birds chirping in the trees. My son is
still asleep, and I can hear my husband snoring. After I get up, I
put on my work clothes, called scrubs. I then put on my pearly
white running shoes because I know that it is going to be super
busy today. I am excited to see what the day will bring.
When I arrive at work, my boss tells me what I will be doing

for the day. It seems like a long list, but I love my job, so I don’t
complain. I put on my mask and shield to keep everyone safe.
I walk down the hallway to wake everyone up at 7 o’clock.

There’s a lot of people I must take care of. I measure out their
medication, making sure to be exact.
2 | I DREAM OF YUKON
It is now 9 o’clock. I check on Ruby, one of the people living at

the nursing home.
Ruby has curly yellow hair with specks of grey. She has green
eyes and likes to wear glasses with a bright pink frame. I help
her get dressed and then take her to the dining room in her
wheelchair.
On my way to the dining room, I see some visitors coming

through the front door. I love meeting new people, so I wave
at them. They give me a strange look and do not wave back.
Maybe they didn’t think that I was waving at them.
As I walk down the hall to the game room, I see someone who
looks just like Ruby.
“Hello, how are you today?” I say looking in her direction. But
she walks past me quickly and does not reply. This makes me
feel sad.
Are my shoelaces untied?

Is my mask upside down?
Has this happened before?
I go back to the game room to see if Ruby needs my help.
“I want to go play cards with Kimmy,” she says. So, I wheel her
over and set up the card table for them to play Go Fish, one of
my favourite games.
I DREAM OF YUKON | 3
“Do you want to play with us?” she asks. I see some people that
I work with in the corner laughing and having a good time. I
want to join in and have some fun too.
“I will be back for the next round,” I say. “I am just going to

say hello to some other girls.” Ruby nods her head and starts
the game with Kimmy.
I walk to the other end of the game room to talk to the other
workers, giving them my biggest smile. “Hi guys, how’s it
going?”
They stare at me and stop their laughter. It feels like time has
frozen. They are quiet at first, but then Pattie, one of the girls
starts to speak.
“Oh, your hair….it..umm…looks so different from yesterday.

Very island vibe.” She widens her big brown eyes at me.
What does she mean? It did not seem like she was
complimenting me. I look down at my braids, hanging in front
of me. Before I can reply, they give me a stiff smile and leave.
They do not say goodbye. They just put their noses in the air
and leave me standing there all by myself. Did I do something
wrong?
On my way home, I think about what had happened.
At first, I feel confused. Then I feel sad. By the time I get

home, I am upset.
That night I tell my husband about my terrible day. He has

beautiful brown skin and short curly dark brown hair.
“Why are you surprised?” he asks while giving me a hug. “They

don’t see us like they see each other. It is like we are invisible.”
Then it all comes to me. I did not do anything wrong. I was

trying to be friendly, but they just did not like who I am.
Not long after this, my family and I decide to move to Yukon,

where things might be a bit better for us. Daycare would be
cheaper, and it would be an adventure. I am very excited to
start this new chapter.
On the flight to Yukon, I look out the window. I can see the
CN Tower below as we leave Toronto. I feel a bit nervous. I do
not know many people in Yukon. Was I going to like it there?
Were people going to like me?
From the airport, we take a taxi to our new home in

Whitehorse, the capital city of Yukon. On the way, I take
pictures of many beautiful things. I see bright green hills. I see
a fox dashing through the grass. I see a family hiking in single
file up a tall mountain. I stare up into the clear blue sky and
see clouds that are as fluffy as cotton candy. Yukon’s scenery is
picture perfect.
I quickly get a job as a personal support worker in a Yukon

nursing home. On my very first day, I notice many people there
that look like me. I was not the only person there with a brown
skin tone and this makes me feel happy.
A woman walks past me. Her long straight hair was pulled into
a tight bun. Her eyes are bright and smile at me.
“Hi, are you new?” she asks.
“Yes, it’s my first day,” I reply, trying to hide the surprise in my

voice. Right away, things here feel different.
“Well, we’re glad to have you. My name’s Dawn.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Brandy,” I say.
She smiles at me again and continues walking down the

hallway. It was crazy how much a smile meant to me. Was I
being accepted?
The next day, at lunch break, I overhear three women at the

nursing home talking about the Northern Lights.
“Hello, sorry to interrupt, but were you talking about the

Northern Lights?” I ask. “I’m new here and would love to
know the best place to see it.”
“Oh, my goodness!” one lady exclaims. “You must see it from

the top of the mountain on the east end. It is gorgeous! We
should go sometime.”
I feel excited. They did not stop talking when I came in. They
included me and even invited me to come with them. This was

different, but a good different. Was I being included?
Not long after that, I wrote my final nursing exam and passed!
I wanted to tell my manager that I was now going to look for a
job as a nurse. So, I take a deep breath and walk slowly over to
her office door where I knock three times.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Mandy, can I speak to you?” I stammer.
She looks up from her computer and gives me a smile “Of

course,” she says.
She did not look like me, so I was a little nervous to tell her
about me trying to become a nurse. It is always scary to talk to
the big boss. It felt like I was going into the principal’s office at
school. You do not want to say the wrong thing or act funny.
But I knew that I had to take this leap of faith. I finally got the
courage to tell her what was going on.
“I just want to let you know that I am going to be a nurse soon.

I passed all my tests. I’m just trying to get everything together
….” My words hang in the air.
She pauses for a moment, putting her hand on her chin. My

heart starts to beat faster and faster. It feels like forever until she
speaks again.
“Hmmm,” she says. “Do you want to work here as a nurse?

You know a lot of the people already and you’re a great
worker!” she exclaims. I can tell by the tone in her voice that
she really wants me to say yes.
I feel overwhelmed with joy. After a few seconds I reply, “Yes, I

would love to!”
I leave her office with a bit more pep in my step. It seemed so

easy. I did not have to prove anything or get asked a million
questions.
A few weeks later I go to see the Northern Lights with my

family and new friends from work. The sky is filled with
streaks of green and yellow. I can see specks of red and purple
too. It is an unforgettable sight, like a nighttime rainbow.
Later, when I get home, I think about how different

Whitehorse is from Toronto. When I was in Toronto, I felt
invisible and unseen. Here, most people were kind and did not
treat me differently because of my hair style or skin colour. I
was finally being accepted not just as a person but as Brandy.
That night, as I fall to sleep, I dream of my family, my new job,

and my new friends. I dream of a place where smiles are plenty
and the lights dance in the night sky.
I dream of Yukon.
The End.
Who is the real Brandy?

Brandy Grant was born in
North York, Ontario. She
has lived in Whitehorse,
Yukon and resides in
Brampton, Ontario, with
her husband and two
children. Brandy is a
Registered Practical Nurse.
She currently works as a
Behavioural Support Manager at a long-term care home in
Orangeville. Brandy went to George Brown College for
Personal Support Work. She received her Nursing Diploma
from Durham College in 2017. Brandy wants children to
know that it is always important to be yourself and to
embrace being different!
About the Author
Tyannah Brown
Tyannah Brown resides in Oshawa, Ontario with her parents

and three sisters. She is currently pursuing a degree in Legal
Studies, with a minor in Human Rights Law, at Ontario Tech
University. Tyannah also works as a peer tutor and peer success
facilitator at Ontario Tech University, where she helps
students hone their time management skills and learn exam
preparation. Tyannah would like to become a human rights
lawyer as she believes that everyone’s rights should be respected
and acknowledged.
In her spare time, Tyannah enjoys watching television shows

and movies, and playing video games. She also enjoys spending
time with family and friends. Tyannah hopes that this story
will educate readers on the importance of being kind to
everyone and appreciating all our differences. She also hopes
that it teaches you to embrace who you are because we are all
unique!
THE CASE OF THE
MISSING SPACE: THE
STORY OF DAE SHIELDS
British Columbia
Tara Kapoor
There once was a little girl named Dae the Daring

Even though she was small, her heart was full of caring
As she explored this big world, she was filled with glee
But she couldn’t help but think, “Why does no one look like
me?”
And so it began, the start of two problems

But Dae was daring and knew she could solve them
The first was the case of the missing space
The second was discovering her very own place
Dae thought, “there is nowhere to go where we feel safe”

“There is nowhere to be creative and proudly show our face”
Black art, Black music, Black thoughts, and Black culture
Were all pushed aside because of their colour
But there was one place

THE CASE OF THE MISSING SPACE: THE STORY OF DAE
SHIELDS | 11
One single, small space

Where she found a way
To hear Black music each day
Sitting at the piano, playing out his heart and soul

Was Dae’s Granddad who inspired her brand-new goal
As his fingers flew over the black and white keys
His voice soared loud and clear with ease
From that moment on, Dae could clearly see

The sound of the music was who she wanted to be
But being music was impossible she thought
Find a real job, was what she was taught
And so it began, the start of her journey

To find a nice job that others deemed worthy
The case of the missing space was pushed away
And she thought she didn’t need her own place to be okay
“A pilot!” Dae exclaimed, “I’ll soar above the clouds”

“That’s a perfect way to make everyone proud”
So every day she practiced in the cockpit
Until she realized it was not a very good fit
“An artist!” Dae shouted, “I’ll create a masterpiece”

“That’s a perfect way to make everyone pleased”
So every day she drew bit by bit
12 | THE CASE OF THE MISSING SPACE: THE STORY OF DAE
SHIELDS
“An Architect!” Dae bellowed, “I’ll design a skyscraper”

“That’s a perfect way to make everyone happier”
So, every day in architect school Dae would sit
Dae tried all those jobs, but none were quite right
And none of those jobs helped her fight her fight
They did not solve the case of the missing space
And none of those jobs were Dae’s very own place
So, she let the music in her heart be her guide

And hopped on a plane to Canada’s other side
In this new city she hoped her two problems would disappear
But when the plane landed, they were sadly still there
She saw concerts and shows and markets all the time
Yet everywhere she went, felt like she crossed a line
These were not places where Black people belonged
The feel of these spaces was just plain wrong
And so it began, the start of the solving

These problems were fixable, and they needed stopping
Dae was determined to bring Black people together
She wanted to make a space where they could gather forever
Dae made AfroVan Connect with the help of her team

If she couldn’t find a space, she’d have to make one it seemed
The whole city came together to help Dae out
After all, that’s what her goal was all about
SHIELDS | 13
Black Space Jam brought singers and rappers at night

Black Markets brought makers and artists alike
Black Space Symposium mixed everyone all up
And the Pop-Up events, were always a great shock
“Finally,” Dae thought, “the case of the missing space is no

longer!”
For AfroVan Connect made sure no one else had to wander
Unfortunately, her fight was not quite over
As the pandemic crushed her plans like a big bad boulder
All of a sudden, the spaces were gone

And Dae knew that she had not yet won
The case of the missing space was once again open
But Dae and her team’s hearts were not broken
If they had to move online, then they knew they would

For a virtual space could be just as good
They streamed shows and concerts for everyone to see
And up out of nowhere popped problem number three
How could the people with no screens watch the show?

She was frustrated as she saw the problems grow
But Dae was daring, and would not let these problems get in
her way
So she began to plan for what they could do the very next day
A mishmash of everything looked like it might work

Having online and real spaces would be a huge perk
SHIELDS
No Black girls or Black boys would be left out

“We’ll do it both ways!” Dae began to shout
And so it began, Dae’s very own place

She had to create it, but now found her own space
Somewhere to move past the wrong spaces that were evil
Somewhere made by and for Black people
With music in her heart and vision in her eyes

Dae made a safe place for Black creatives to thrive
The missing space was found
And her own place was sound
It was then that Dae realized where her learning came from
Although she was thankful for the schooling she’d done
Her friends and family and city and team
Were really the ones who taught her what she’d need
Then Dae thought back to when she was a little girl

And wished she could tell her some things about the world
You are enough; You are powerful; You have everything you
need
Go out into the world, and show them how to dream!
The End.
SHIELDS | 15
Who is the real Dae?

Dae Shields is the co-
founder of AfroVan
Connect, a company that is
working to establish safe
spaces for Black creatives to
express themselves. Dae has
been creating music ever
since she was a little girl. As
she got older, she noticed
that there were no spaces made for Black people, and if there
were, they were not welcoming. When Dae moved to
Vancouver in 2017, she saw how badly the city lacked
inclusive places. Thus, with the helping hands of her new
community in Vancouver, AfroVan Connect was born.
About the Author
Tara Kapoor
Tara Kapoor is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student

SHIELDS
specializing in the field of Kinesiology. While her area of study

is science-based, the arts have always held a special place in
her heart. Her initial career aspiration was to be an author,
which then changed to a librarian. She has been an avid reader
since she could turn the pages herself, and her most prized
possession is her overflowing bookshelf.
A BOLD IDEA: NURSE
OTTLEY AND MPP
HUNTER LISTEN
Ontario
Anne Moraa
Nurse Ottley works hard to heal her patients

Giving advice and listening with patience
“I have a bold idea,” she was often heard saying
And each time, it was brilliant, because it came from her caring
MPP Hunter works hard to help her community
Making laws and listening with a gentle humility
“How can I help?” she was often heard saying,
And each time, it was helpful, because it came from her
listening
When the pandemic began, they both thought, Oh no!

People will need help, more than they even know
Nurse Ottley kept giving advice, listening, and caring
MPP Hunter kept making laws, with open ears she was
listening
They worked so hard, but it was not enough
To help all of Scarborough? That would be tough!
18 | A BOLD IDEA: NURSE OTTLEY AND MPP HUNTER LISTEN
Nurse Ottley one day, as usual, had a bold idea,

Let’s treat everyone fairly! It seemed much clearer
I know what to do, I even know how
But I need some help, I need it now!
She called everyone she knew, and everyone she did not
And with each ring unanswered, she felt it was for naught
MPP Hunter was stuck. She needed something new

She wanted to hear from others, from people just like you
I know we can help, we can start somehow
But I need a bold idea. I need one right now
She asked everyone she knew, and more than that beside
But she found no bold ideas, no matter how hard she tried
They both pushed on, each doing their best
But it was taking so long, it put them to the test
Nurse Ottley came down to the last name on her list

She said to herself, “Well, this is it”
She called MPP Hunter. The phone rang, ring-ring,
When the MPP answered, the nurse said, “Here’s the thing…”
“I have a bold idea. Would you like to hear?”
MPP Hunter said, “Oh yes! I’m ready! I am all ears!”
“Here’s my bold idea,” Nurse Ottley replied

Let’s treat everyone fairly, let’s treat everyone kind
Let’s listen to their needs and meet them where they are
With a simple one, two, three, we can go very far
For a moment they stilled, a joy-filled pause

A BOLD IDEA: NURSE OTTLEY AND MPP HUNTER LISTEN | 19
Nurse Ottley, MPP Hunter, together, had a cause

Each ready to help, each ready with their part,
Together, we got this, we’ve got a great start!
What do you do when you’re all out of ideas?
How can you help? What is the mission?
You ask your community. You stop and listen
They worked with their teams, to come up with the plan

We’ll just help everyone, as much as we can
To help all of Scarborough? We all need to pitch in
Step one, two, and three, we all must begin
What alone seemed impossible, became easier with sharing
And they helped so many, because of their listening and caring
The End.
Who is the real MPP Hunter?

Mitzie Hunter has served as
the MPP for Scarborough-
Guildwood since September
2013 and is the Ontario
Liberal Party’s Deputy
Leader, and Critic for
Education, Labour,
Immigration, Training and
Skills Development,
20 | A BOLD IDEA: NURSE OTTLEY AND MPP HUNTER LISTEN
Treasury Board, and Women’s Social and Economic

Opportunity. Mitzie Hunter understands community and the
power of working together. As a lifelong city builder, she is
passionate about ensuring fair and inclusive access to
employment and prosperity.
Who is the real Nurse Ottley?

Amanda Ottley is a
Registered Nurse and the
founder of The Pamoja
Institute for Community
Engagement and Action.
Amanda advocates for
equitable access to the
resources necessary to foster improved health and well-being in
the Black community. Amanda’s work to create a Just Future
Now has been recognized at home and internationally. She was
awarded the Research Excellence in Black Community Impact
award and received the Leadership in Business Award from the
United Way of Greater Toronto.
A BOLD IDEA: NURSE OTTLEY AND MPP HUNTER LISTEN | 21
About the Author
Anne Moraa
Anne Moraa is a Kenyan feminist writer, editor, and

performer. She is the M in the LAM Sisterhood, an award-
winning story company that fills the world with stories for
African women to feel seen, heard, and beloved. She co-created
“KaBrazen”, stories of Brazen African women for the little
ones. Her writing can be found in Catapult, SAVVY
Contemporary, The Meridians Journal, The Elephant among
others. She is at work on her debut novel all while eating
copious amount of chilli-lemon crisps.
WINNIE AND THE
MAGIC MASKS
Newfoundland
Rachelle Gooden
Let me tell you a story about a girl who became a wife, mother,
friend, and business owner, halfway across the world, in a place
that she least expectedÉ.
Winnie grew up in Nigeria, a beautiful country in West Africa.
When she was a little girl, she would walk through her
neighbourhood and look at all the beautiful colours that
surrounded her.
Winnie loved how the flowers looked like a box of crayons and
how rainbows led her to magical places. She loved the crimson
of the setting sun and the deep blue hues of the ocean.
Growing up, she dreamed of traveling the world. When she

got older, she married someone who also had the same dream.
WINNIE AND THE MAGIC MASKS | 23
They were happy and travelled to faraway places like Norway

and Scotland.
Norway had steep cliffs, glaciers, and Northern Lights that

twinkled in the night sky. But Winnie missed the friendly
energy of Nigeria.
Scotland had huge castles, art festivals, and highland dancing.

But Winnie never quite felt at home.
Something was missing…
After a few years had gone by, Winnie and her family decided
to move to Newfoundland and Labrador, a province in
Canada.
Newfoundland was full of rolling hills, steep cliffs, and rugged

coastlines. There were caribou, moose, and puffins with
rainbow-coloured beaks. There was colour everywhere!
Winnie loved the colours of the fields and the colours of the
streams. There was even a whole neighbourhood, called
Jellybean Row, where the houses there were painted in blue,
green, orange, purple, and yellow. It was all unbelievably
beautiful.
Now Newfoundland was very cold in the winter, but the

people had warm hearts. They welcomed Winnie and her
family with open arms.
24 | WINNIE AND THE MAGIC MASKS
Winnie loved sharing her culture with them and would talk
about Nigeria whenever she could. She also loved to wear
African-styled dresses and outfits made with bright fabrics.
At first, she thought that her new friends in Newfoundland
would not like her clothes, but people complimented her
wherever she went.
“Wow, your dress is so beautiful!” they would exclaim.
“Winnie, where did you get such a lovely head scarf?” her
neighbours would ask.
And Winnie would gush with pride, “This material comes

from Nigeria,” or “thank you, this is Ankara fabric.”
Winnie also learned how to sew bags. She would make them
out of Ankara material as well. Soon people were asking her to
make them bags too!
Winnie received so many orders for her bags that she decided to
start her own business and sell her bags at the local flea market.
Coin purses, lunch bags, leather bags, and totes. Winnie made
them all!
Sometimes sales were up and sometimes sales were down.

Some days Winnie sold many bags and sometimes she only sold
one.
Winnie never felt discouraged. No matter how many she sold,

she kept on dreaming about growing her business.
One day, Winnie heard her neighbours talking about

something very alarming.
“What’s going on?” she asked them, with concern.
“There is a bad virus g oing around that is making people very

sick,” her neighbour said in a hushed voice, as her eyes widened
like the moon.
Winnie didn’t know exactly what this all meant but she was
about to find out.
Suddenly, schools, malls, parks, and stores were closed. Kids

could no longer play together.
No more libraries. No more playgrounds. No more fun.
And no more selling at the flea market.
Winnie was worried. What was happening?
People everywhere started wearing masks over their nose and

mouth. Smiles seemed to disappear. Everyone looked
distressed and downcast. Winnie wanted to help people. Yet,
what could she do?
She thought and thought and thought some more…

Then Winnie had a great idea! She would help people by

making them masks using her own brilliant fabrics and
patterns. She took apart a mask that her friend had given her,
to see how it was made, and quickly set about creating her own
design.
At first, it was all very confusing, but Winnie was very

clever. She measured and cut. She cut and stitched. She got out
her sewing machine and started to work her magic. Her first
mask was too big and let in too much air.
Her second mask was too tight and squeezed her cheeks.
Ouch!
Winnie kept coming up with new designs until she finally

found the perfect fit. So many of Winnie’s friends wanted to
buy her masks that she could not keep up with the demand.
Winnie was so busy that she had to enlist the help of her entire
family!
Her daughter measured the elastics.
Her husband cut the cloth.
And Winnie stitched them together with her sewing machine.
Whirl! Snip! Clank! Hummm!
Winnie and her family worked long hours every day.

Everyone wanted to buy her masks because they were so

cheery. They fell in love with the vivid colours and the
delightful patterns. From the top of Signal Hill to the trails of
Cape Spear. From the shores of Bonavista Bay to the corner
of Corner Brook. People came from all over Newfoundland to
buy Winnie’s masks.
And when they placed them on their face, something magical

happened. People began to feel happy again. They shared jokes
and stories with one another. Musical laughter filled the air.
They got closer together and their eyes sparkled. People felt
alive once more!
As for that nasty virus, it bounced off the masks and flew up
into the sky, winding its way through the clouds.
In time, the flea market reopened. Winnie sold her masks and
many more items there. Soon, her business began to flourish,
just as she imagined.
And Newfoundland became her newfound home.
The End.
Who is the real Winnie?

Winifred Aghoghome
Ohwoka holds a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Business
Management and a
Diploma in Accountancy.
She is the owner of Signage
Clothing and Crafts in St.
John’s, Newfoundland.
Winifred enjoys making and
learning new crafts, travelling, and meeting new people from
different cultures. She loves to make people happy. Winifred is
married to Mr. A. Ohwoka and blessed with two wonderful
children.
About the Author
Rachelle Gooden
Rachelle is an experienced librarian, writer, and humanitarian.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Mass
Communications from York University and a Master of

Information Studies degree from the University of Toronto.
Rachelle has spent over 17 years working at Toronto Public
Library, where she has taken on several leadership roles and
assignments including Special Collections Selector for the Rita
Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. In her current
position as the Senior Services Specialist for Equity and
Inclusion, she continues to work towards creating a more
inclusive and just society.
Rachelle’s volunteer work includes designing and establishing

an elementary school library in Tamale, Ghana and teaching
basic bookkeeping to women in a remote village. She is a lover
of books, travel, and life. In her spare time, Rachelle enjoys
relaxing with family and friends, baking, and working on her
own writing projects. Winnie and the Magic Masks and Count
on Dr. O are her first two picture books. Rachelle lives in
Whitby, Ontario with her husband and two children.
YOU CAN BE ANYTHING:
THE STORY OF
STEPHANIE BERNARD
Nunavut
Chidinma Blessing Okafor
Once there was a passionate girl,

Who liked to solve problems, easy or hard
Born in Jamaica, surrounded by family
Where she lived quite peacefully, and happily
Stephanie wanted to make a difference,

Whether big or small
In everything she did, she always gave it her all
But Stephanie knew that she wanted to do more
So she travelled to Toronto since she’d never been there before
The weather was super cold, and chilled her to the bone
And Stephanie did not feel like she was at home
She was not happy, and this was no fun
Should she go, should she just run?
Well Stephanie set out to find a new space

YOU CAN BE ANYTHING: THE STORY OF STEPHANIE
BERNARD | 31
A place that would bring a smile to her face

Off to Nunavut in hope of a new home
Where she was blown away by all the kindness shown
In Nunavut, they held their first Black History event

It was a way to see Black people’s achievements
That made Stephanie want to share more
About Black culture than ever before
So, in search of a world where people of all kinds could exist

Stephanie Bernard became a Black rights activist
Shortly, afterwards, a terrible virus made its way to town
Just after Black history month, came a lockdown
Wash your hands, they asked

Please also wear your mask
Do not touch your mouth, your nose, or your eyes
Do not get close, do not crowd inside
But this did not stop Stephanie, of course, no way

From lending her voice to good causes each day
She soon came to realize how important her work is
Fighting for the rights of Black adults and kids
Stephanie had the city of Iqaluit march for justice

In honour of a Black man from Minneapolis
They marched and marched and shouted their words
Until, at last their voices were heard
32 | YOU CAN BE ANYTHING: THE STORY OF STEPHANIE
BERNARD
Stephanie’s family is so proud of all she’s done

And her friends all know that she’s just begun
So, don’t you see, just like Stephanie
You too can be anything you want to be
The End.
Who is the real Stephanie?

Stephanie Bernard is a
resident of Iqaluit,
Nunavut. She is the founder
of the Nunavut Black
History Society (NBHS),
which has not only
celebrated the arts, history,
and culture of people of
African descent but has also
facilitated important conversations about issues affecting
Black communities in Nunavut and Canada. Bernard believes
in the power of women to create positive change in their
communities, and draws inspiration from the determination
and influence of her ancestors and fellow women.
YOU CAN BE ANYTHING: THE STORY OF STEPHANIE
BERNARD | 33
About the Author
Chidinma Okafor
Chidinma Blessing Okafor (Chidi) was born and raised in

Nigeria, where she obtained her first degree in Economics.
She later went to the United Kingdom and received a Master
of Science (MSc) degree at the University of Salford. Aside
from her dissertation, Chidi has contributed to Accountability
literature. Her paper, Deployment of Whistle-blowing as an
Accountability Mechanism to Curb Corruption and Fraud in
a Developing Democracy, is published in the Accounting,
Auditing and Accountability Journal. Chidi has previously
worked as a billing officer and as a market researcher. She is
currently studying Accounting at the Chang School of
Continuing Education, Toronto Metropolitan University and
is pursuing her CPA designation. Chidi lives in Mississauga
with her family.
A PERFECT PAIR:
MICHELE AND GLYN
WORK TOGETHER
Ontario
Anne Moraa
Peanut butter and jelly; curry and rice,

Michele and Glyn, perfect sugar, and spice
Sweet Michele is as fierce as they come
She always says, “Work together and things get done.”
Spicy Glyn is as kind as morning dew

She always says, “Do your best and always say, thank you.”
When the pandemic began, everyone felt so lost
Scarborough needed help almost at any cost
Michele and Glyn both had years of wisdom earned

Leading is about helping, that’s what they’d learned
Their teams were waiting, ready for suggestions
Michele and Glyn said, “Just ask the right questions!”
How can we do this? How can we help you?

It’s all about teamwork and always say, thank you
A PERFECT PAIR: MICHELE AND GLYN WORK TOGETHER | 35
Their teams, all the doctors, nurses, janitors too

All came together, they had to come through
The people of Scarborough are as grateful as ever

That Michele and Glyn, worked together!
The End.
Who is the real Michele?

Michele James is the
Executive Vice-President,
People and Transformation
at Scarborough Health
Network (SHN).
Throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic,
Michele also supported the
public vaccine campaign as
the executive lead for community engagement. Michele holds
a Master in Business Administration with a specialization in
Health Services Management and a Bachelor of Science in
Human Biology. Michele was selected as one of the 100
Accomplished Black Canadian Women for 2020.
36 | A PERFECT PAIR: MICHELE AND GLYN WORK TOGETHER
Who is the real Glyn?

Glyn Boatswain is the
Executive Vice President,
Chief Nursing and Allied
Professional Executive at
Scarborough Health
Network (SHN). Glyn is a
highly respected leader and
experienced healthcare
professional who led the
organization through the COVID-19 pandemic. Glyn is
known for her high standards, and ability to inspire her
colleagues to perform their best. Glyn is currently completing
her executive MBA at McGill University.
About the Author
Anne Moraa
Anne Moraa is a Kenyan feminist writer, editor, and

performer. She is the M in the LAM Sisterhood, an award-
A PERFECT PAIR: MICHELE AND GLYN WORK TOGETHER | 37
winning story company that fills the world with stories for
African women to feel seen, heard, and beloved. She co-created
“KaBrazen”, stories of Brazen African women for the little
ones. Her writing can be found in Catapult, SAVVY
Contemporary, The Meridians Journal, The Elephant among
others. She is at work on her debut novel all while eating
copious amount of chilli-lemon crisps.
COUNT ON DR. O
Quebec
Rachelle Gooden
Hello, I’m Dr. O!
Won’t you come count with me?
One local hero with a white coat for a cape

Zooming through Toronto stomping out Black hate
Two eyes seeking justice, hope, and peace

Two arms, two legs fighting for equality
Three decades standing up against bias

Kicking down barriers and building alliance
Four hugs each night, from those who love her so

Their touch provide comfort when the day takes its toll
Five different degrees from universities of high esteem

Six victories or more, goals, awards, and dreams
COUNT ON DR. O | 39
Seven years studying science and medicine

Becoming a doctor was just the beginning
Eight Black students following in her footsteps, learning,

Interning, yearning, and growing
Nine courses taught as an Associate Professor

She’s a teacher, leader, and a true believer
Ten times more stories to be told

Ten times more voices to be bold
Say it with me now!
One heart marching to your own beat

Swing those arms, lift your feet
Two steps more, let’s go onward

Now you’ve got it, moving forward
Three more friends to bring along

Skip, hop, and sing your song
Four years in high school, let’s go, hooray!

Grab your backpack, don’t delay
Five crayons, red, green, brown, black, and blue

There is nothing you can’t do!
40 | COUNT ON DR. O
Six years of study if you want more

You can do it, you will soar!
Seven rulers, pencils, papers, and pens

Go to school, with all your friends
Eight libraries open all year round

Work quietly there, without a sound
Nine thousand Aunties supporting you

Uncles from our community too!
Ten dreams, ten goals, there is no end

Set up more, and do it again!
About the Author
Rachelle Gooden
Rachelle is an experienced librarian, writer, and humanitarian.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Mass
Communications from York University and a Master of
Information Studies degree from the University of Toronto.
Rachelle has spent over 17 years working at Toronto Public
COUNT ON DR. O | 41
Library, where she has taken on several leadership roles and

assignments including Special Collections Selector for the Rita
Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. In her current
position as the Senior Services Specialist for Equity and
Inclusion, she continues to work towards creating a more
inclusive and just society.
Rachelle’s volunteer work includes designing and establishing

an elementary school library in Tamale, Ghana and teaching
basic bookkeeping to women in a remote village. She is a lover
of books, travel, and life. In her spare time, Rachelle enjoys
relaxing with family and friends, baking, and working on her
own writing projects. Winnie and the Magic Masks and Count
on Dr. O are her first two picture books. Rachelle lives in
Whitby, Ontario with her husband and two children.
THE ITSY BITSY VIRUS
Nova Scotia
Amanda Ottley
Sung to the tune of The Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy virus was blowing on the wind
We tried to shut it out, but it wiggled its way in
Next thing you know we were all at home inside
But that itsy bitsy virus was in for a surprise
Inside the house, sat Anita at her desk
High on a hill where she did her work the best
Anita saw the virus and she raised her hand up high
Then she flicked on the fan and said, “bye virus, bye”
The End.
THE ITSY BITSY VIRUS | 43
Who is the real Anita?

This story was inspired by The Honourable Anita Anand.
She is the current Minister of National Defence for Canada.
During the Covid pandemic, she served as Minister of Public
Services and Procurement and was responsible for getting
COVID-19 vaccines for all Canadians. Anand was born and
raised in Nova Scotia. You can learn more at:
https://pm.gc.ca/en/cabinet/honourable-anita-anand
About the Author
Amanda Ottley
THE PAMOJA INSTITUTE FOR
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
AND ACTION
Amanda is a registered nurse always longing for the Caribbean

Sea. When she’s not busy trying to boil the ocean, you can find
her social distancing. You can’t miss her; she’s the one in the
mask. You can reach her at: amanda@pamojainstitute.org
FINAL THOUGHTS
Oh crumb,
Story done
Who knew?
It’s up to you
What will you do?
PROJECT TEAM
Design and Layout
Urja Patel is a first-year

Honours Planning student
at the Faculty of
Environment at the
University of Waterloo. Urja
is a creative and a
humanitarian at heart; she is
passionate about the built
environment and the arts. She has always taken artistic
liberties throughout her life, from drawing and painting to
graphic design, on canvases and pages of paper, to using
technologies and software. Urja strives to create art and bring
the stories of incredible individuals to the spotlight every
opportunity she can. As a humanitarian, prospective urban
planner, environmentalist, and artist, she believes that Our
Stories must be told.
PROJECT TEAM | 47
Web Development
Noah Glassford is from

Northern Ontario. He is a
programmer focused on
interactive technologies. He
went to school for
Information Technology
and Game Development.
Noah believes in using
technology to make the world a better place. He loves learning
about new and emerging technologies like Augmented
Reality and Artificial Intelligence and seeing how they can be
used to improve many aspects of life.
48 | PROJECT TEAM
Project Coordination
Sara Taghavi Motlagh is a

Ph.D. candidate in
Computer Science at
Ontario Tech University.
With over 11 years of
experience in
telecommunications and a
strong academic
background, Sara is a highly skilled and adaptable
professional. She has expertise in telecommunications
technologies, research and development, and technology
innovation, both in the academic and industry sectors. Sara is
able to draw on a diverse range of skills and knowledge,
ranging from practical technical skills to high-level theoretical
concepts, in order to respond effectively to challenges. In her
role as project coordinator for the Our Stories books project,
Sara has brought her expertise and strong problem-solving
abilities to bear in ensuring the smooth and successful
execution of the project.
Reseacher
Ashaunte Samuels is an exceptional undergraduate student at
Ontario Tech University. She has demonstrated a strong
PROJECT TEAM | 49
dedication to community engagement and action, exemplified

by her impressive work as the main researcher for a book
during her placement with the Pamoja Institute for
Community Engagement and Action. Her dedication to
making a positive impact on her community is truly inspiring
and she is sure to continue making a meaningful difference in
the world.
This collection of children's stories features a diverse
cast of characters who are all inspired by real-life
Canadian women. Set against the backdrop of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the stories follow these women
as they use their creativity, leadership, and
determination to make a difference in their
communities. From creating platforms for Black
creatives to share their work to fighting for healthcare
funding and support to building strong bonds of
sisterhood, these stories are sure to inspire and
empower young readers.

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8 SHORT STORIES ABOUT CANADIAN

WOMEN WRITTEN JUST FOR KIDS

Inspiring Kids Stories About

TYANNAH BROWN; RACHELLE

The Pamoja Institute for Community

We are deeply grateful to the talented team of writers, editors,

We would also like to acknowledge the real-life Canadian

Finally, we would like to express our appreciation to the

This project has been made possible by the Government of

Hello friends, we are so excited to bring you an inspiring

We’re going to meet some incredible women who are making

From British Columbia to Newfoundland, we’ll travel across

So join me on this magical journey as we celebrate the courage

When I was asked to be part of Our Stories, I was pleasantly

Some unsung heroes of this project are our children. We

Mostly though, the backbone of Our Stories has been Amanda

Hello, my name is Brandy!

I live in Toronto, Canada. I am a personal support worker but

Every day I wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning. It is still dark

When I arrive at work, my boss tells me what I will be doing

I walk down the hallway to wake everyone up at 7 o’clock.

It is now 9 o’clock. I check on Ruby, one of the people living at

On my way to the dining room, I see some visitors coming

Are my shoelaces untied?

I go back to the game room to see if Ruby needs my help.

“I will be back for the next round,” I say. “I am just going to

“Oh, your hair….it..umm…looks so different from yesterday.

On my way home, I think about what had happened.

At first, I feel confused. Then I feel sad. By the time I get

That night I tell my husband about my terrible day. He has

“Why are you surprised?” he asks while giving me a hug. “They

Then it all comes to me. I did not do anything wrong. I was

Not long after this, my family and I decide to move to Yukon,

From the airport, we take a taxi to our new home in

I quickly get a job as a personal support worker in a Yukon

“Hi, are you new?” she asks.

“Yes, it’s my first day,” I reply, trying to hide the surprise in my

“Well, we’re glad to have you. My name’s Dawn.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Brandy,” I say.

She smiles at me again and continues walking down the

The next day, at lunch break, I overhear three women at the

“Hello, sorry to interrupt, but were you talking about the

“Oh, my goodness!” one lady exclaims. “You must see it from

included me and even invited me to come with them. This was

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Mandy, can I speak to you?” I stammer.

She looks up from her computer and gives me a smile “Of

“I just want to let you know that I am going to be a nurse soon.

She pauses for a moment, putting her hand on her chin. My

“Hmmm,” she says. “Do you want to work here as a nurse?

I feel overwhelmed with joy. After a few seconds I reply, “Yes, I

I leave her office with a bit more pep in my step. It seemed so

A few weeks later I go to see the Northern Lights with my

Later, when I get home, I think about how different

That night, as I fall to sleep, I dream of my family, my new job,

Who is the real Brandy?

About the Author

Tyannah Brown resides in Oshawa, Ontario with her parents

In her spare time, Tyannah enjoys watching television shows

There once was a little girl named Dae the Daring

And so it began, the start of two problems

Dae thought, “there is nowhere to go where we feel safe”

But there was one place

One single, small space