Ruth Rodney (RN, PhD)
Lead Researcher, York University
Ruth Rodney is a mother, registered nurse, and Assistant Professor at York University’s School of Nursing where she focuses on the global context of nursing. Her research focuses on violence prevention at the community level. Specifically, she addresses gender-based violence with a focus on ACB (African/Caribbean/Black) youth and communities in Canada and the Caribbean. Her work is guided by critical theories and her approaches to data generation are grounded in community-based methodologies. Ruth is a Hamiltonian and is actively involved within Hamilton’s community. She is a board member of the Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association, and the Canadian Mental Health Association-Hamilton.
Ruth Rodney
RN, PhD
Ruth Rodney is a mother, registered nurse, and Assistant Professor at York University’s School of Nursing where she focuses on the global context of nursing. Her research focuses on violence prevention at the community level. Specifically, she addresses gender-based violence with a focus on ACB (African/Caribbean/Black) youth and communities in Canada and the Caribbean. Her work is guided by critical theories and her approaches to data generation are grounded in community-based methodologies. Ruth is a Hamiltonian and is actively involved within Hamilton’s community. She is a board member of the Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association, and the Canadian Mental Health Association-Hamilton.
Jessica Bonilla-Damptey
Executive Director, SACHA
Jessica Bonilla-Damptey is a Latinx/Indigenous woman from El Salvador, living and raised in Hamilton. She is the mother of 2, Tia of 3 and Madrina of 3. Hikes, dance parties, sorbet, being in water and in hammocks are some of her favourite things. She is a doer and is actively involved in community-based projects and believes that it is important to include children in those projects. She is committed towards and works to creating a world without violence and oppression. Jessica is the Director of SACHA , the Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton Area)
Ruth Rodney
RN, PhD
Danielle Boissoneau
Community Lead
Danielle Boissoneau is Anishnaabekwe from the shorelines of the Great Lakes. She is the Diverse Communities Outreach Program Coordinator for SACHA. This programming centres the creation and maintenance of healing spaces for community building efforts amongst Black, Indigenous and racialized survivors of violence. Danielle is also a multi-disciplinary artist, a seedkeeper and an avid gardener. She is responsible to the land and the water, her ancestors and descendants.
Marsha Hinds
Research Co-ordinator
Marsha Hinds is a dual career professional in the areas of advocacy and education/research. She lived and worked in Barbados before returning to Canada. She lectured at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and St. Augustine and was also a researcher for the Trade Agency in Barbados. She is the immediate past president of the National Organization of Women of Barbados. Marsha spent 19 years developing an advocacy model to address the issues of underprivileged groups of women in Barbados and the Commonwealth Caribbean that enabled them to get access to services and stronger lobby in policy spaces. She is committed to addressing the ways in which systemic impressions of African descended Diaspora people originated and how they were institutionalized in spaces including government practice and academies. Marsha wants to add to the significant work being done to champion for equality for Black stakeholders in Canada. She is excited about serving the Caribbean Diaspora in various areas in Canada, guided by the work and effort of many who have gone before while creating legacy for many to follow.
Aaliya Khan
Research Assistant
Aaliya is a PhD student at York University researching gendered Islamophobia and space. She has substantive experience conducting research and outreach initiatives for various non-profits in the Greater Toronto Area, and holds a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Aaliya considers herself an anti-racist feminist and is deeply invested in approaching systemic inequality by through community engagement and coalition-building. In her free time, Aaliya enjoys dabbling in Arabic calligraphy and illustration.
Anika Forde
Research Assistant
Anika Forde BA (Hons), MSc is a social entrepreneur and prospective PhD candidate. With nearly a decade of experience in the non-profit, international development and corporate spaces, Anika has successfully led transformative programs targeted at decolonization, inclusivity and anti-oppression. Anika is passionate and knowledgeable on diversity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and equity. Her experiences are in mixed-methods research with a particular focus on moving from theory and practice to accountability. Her MSc explored the direct and indirect effects of social capital on subjective wellbeing as it relates to ethnic and religious discrimination.