MPTF supports International Women’s Day with 100% funding for TMA Members!

By Olivia Esther, Symphonic Services Business Rep, TMA Local 149

There are two fantastic events that take place annually in Toronto to kick off International Women’s Month in March. These are the Mary Spratt Breakfast hosted at the Steelworkers Hall, and the Rally & March at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). This year the TMA, with 100% funding from MPTF, partnered with these events to provide free, live music for the participants and the public. The ensembles invited to perform were the highly energetic, Queer brass band, Trash Panda Brass, and Juno award-winner, Sammy Jackson performing as a trio with guitarist, Tom Fleming and drummer, Ian Wright. Trash Panda Brass was the perfect energy for the Mary Spratt Breakfast. Participants danced, sang, and bopped along to the music while eating their big breakfasts. It was a great way to start the day! The Sammy Jackson Trio was DIVINE at OISE which set a beautiful tone for the participants gathering for the rally!

A big ‘thank you’ is due to Carolyn Egan for her tireless work in organizing the Mary Spratt Breakfast, Rally & March in Toronto year after year. A special ‘thank you’ to Jay Boehmer for helping to firm up the details between the performers and MPTF which led to a seamless day for all involved! A huge thank you to the Music Performance Trust Fund for their generous support of all performances occurring during International Women’s Month. With their support, performances for IWD were 100% funded, allowing the TMA to celebrate and showcase our members. Opportunities like this help Locals increase their visibility in the community. Finally, a ‘thank you’ to Dusty Kelly for initiating and building these important relationships with our brother and sister unions in the Ontario Federation of Labour.