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March 2004
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by Jodi Martin
As part of the aim of this anniversary edition of Hotflash is to reflect on thirty years of the women’s movement in Northwestern Ontario - I went out to meet with Margaret Philips of the Northern Womens Bookstore on a quiet Tuesday afternoon in November. The Northern Womens bookstore officially opened in March 1984. It was located on Bay Street in Port Arthur next to the famous Hoito Restaurant. Margaret describes this first space as a “cubbyhole” holding 300 books and open 3 days a week. The Bookstore moved to North Court St. one year later and then to Camelot Street where it shared space with the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Ctr. In 1992, the bookstore moved to its current location at 65 Court Street. The current location is far from its “cubbyhole” beginnings. In fact, I thought what an open, bright and comfortable space it was as we sat by the front windows in the afternoon sunshine talking about the history of the store.
Philips explained that in the late 1960s and early 1970s the second wave of the women’s movement was based around three central “arms”. These were: Political Action (lobbying, advocacy), Service (crisis centres, shelters) and Literature. This period saw a mushrooming of women’s literature - books written by women about women’s issues. In 1973 Thunder Bay was the site of a Northern Women’s Conference. Conference organizers were hoping for 100-150 participants (although they would settle for 50). Six hundred women arrived to participate in the conference which served as the foundation for the development of the women’s centre, rape crisis centre and the Northern women’s journal. From 1973 to 1983 women’s commitment to organizing, networking, and gathering meant that many services and political action groups were developed in Thunder Bay and surrounding communities. Margaret smiled as she explained how the women involved in the Northern Women’s Journal would sit around and talk for hours about feminist issues. In these discussions it became obvious that women’s literature was missing from the local movement and that a women’s bookstore was needed to fill this void. The women went around the circle to see who would be willing to take on this endeavour. Two women, Anna Nichol and Margaret Philips decided that they would start the Northern women’s bookstore. Anna and Margaret sat down to talk and three months later the bookstore was open! They had no business plan or as Margaret put it “we did none of the things you are supposed to do”. They just jumped right in. The Bookstore filled the niche - it provided local access to feminist literature. Access to such books had been difficult for women in the Thunder Bay region - women would travel to Toronto or Ottawa and return with arms full of literature to share with other women. By the time a book was returned to its original owner it would be “well worn”!
Margaret explains that one of the most important elements of the bookstore is that it serves the region and not just the city of Thunder Bay. This is extremely important as women in regional communities may feel even more isolated than women here in Thunder bay. Access to feminist literature is still difficult in many parts of northern Ontario and the bookstore participates in many regional workshops and conferences. When they cannot attend, the store may send books for display and purchase. This brings me to an important point about the purpose of the bookstore. Philips explains that the bookstore is not a business but a service. Margaret counts on the dedication of volunteers to keep the store running. The Northern Women’s Bookstore has lacked general community support for twenty years and yet it is an important resource for women in Thunder Bay who are keen to explore feminist philosophy and analysis. This anniversary year would be a great time to support your independent women’s bookstore here in Thunder Bay. There are many ways to become involved: join the bookclub, attend events such as concerts, readings, poetry nights, and booklaunches. You can call the bookstore at 344-7979 for more information or to get on their mailing list. Please plan to help the bookstore celebrate its 20th anniversary in the New Year. More information to come…