INTRODUCING WICCD: WOMEN IN CANADIAN CRIMINAL DEFENCE
(Pronounced: Wicked)
WICCD is Canada’s first national advocacy organization solely for women—those who identify as female or as gender non-conforming—working in criminal defence.
WICCD is a national umbrella organization that brings together women and gender non-conforming colleagues in criminal defence across Canada who may already belong to women’s committees, caucuses or sub-groups of defence associations or who have yet to join any other group. WICCD aims to build bridges and consolidate gains, working collaboratively with our women, trans and non-binary colleagues.
WICCD does not intend to compete with any existing organization. It seeks to complement existing supports and services, by providing a unique forum of robust supports, informed by national and regional perspectives including those of our newest, young, racialized members, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and everyone who identifies as female or gender non-conforming.
WICCD provides a safe and inclusive space for us all to share our experiences and to support and celebrate one another. It aims to advance the interests of women in the defence bar and to address the current crisis of women leaving the bar in unprecedented numbers. WICCD is mindful of gender-based discrimination our members routinely face, including implicit biases, and will advocate for solutions to ensure genuine equality for women in criminal defence on a systemic level. WICCD is actively anti-racist and anti-colonial. WICCD will employ an intersectional lens in its advocacy on all issues of importance to its members.
Membership in WICCD is free.
Criminal defence lawyers and law students interested in criminal law are encouraged to apply for membership. Some membership criteria apply, including verification of the applicant’s identity, solely to ensure membership is restricted to eligible members.
WICCD’s initiatives, including specific services, programs or events, will be determined by its membership. Members will have access to WICCD’s inclusive and collegial listserv.
WICCD formally launches on January 4th, 2022.
The founding members of the inaugural Executive are:
President: Sid Freeman
Vice-President: Amanda Ross
Vice-President: Miranda Hlady
Treasurer: Cassandra DeMelo
Secretary: Anita Szigeti
Assistant Secretary: Maya Shukairy
Recorder: Shaunna Kelly
Litigation Director: Maija Martin
Membership and Social Media Committee Co-chairs:
Hamna Anwar
Maya Kotob
To express an interest in joining us, or for more information, contact WICCD’s Executive at:
Wiccd.womendefencelawyerscanada@gmail.com
To apply for membership, just complete this 60 second application form here:
https://forms.gle/RYv6381eTQBME3aK6
We are excited about the future and look forward to working with you all!
The Executive – WICCD
Follow us on Twitter: @WICCD_Canada
You can link to this blog entry to spread the word or share the link to the text of the announcement in a pdf flyer here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rwuhq8GnvarR9gCO3ffoVN2fxq8ElMfE/view?usp=sharing
anitaszigeti 
Bravo! I suspected that this is where your wise words were leading and I can’t know how to be happier that my suspicions were real.
As a steadfast ally is there any room to join? Maybe as a special supporting member?
In any case, what great news and what a great way to start the year. Good luck in all you set your sights on.
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Thank you so much, Tom. We are very excited and momentum is building quickly so I am especially proud about that. I did say it was time for action, right? Happy to report we have 100 members as of mid-day today. Pretty good for being just a few hours young. WICCD absolutely welcomes all support from allies and you’re our Number 1 in that regard to date. We will keep you posted on how to acknowledge your support and those of all our allies who are generously offering help. Thank you again – your kind words mean a lot. On a personal note, my spouse and I are following your Twitter beer journey and it’s a ton of fun! All the best for the New Year to you and yours, Anita
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