Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) President Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah was one of six recipients of a Femmy Award on International Women’s Day on March 8.
Owusu-Akyeeah received the award for her work in the areas of anti-racism, gender equality and sex education. The Femmys are given out annually to people living in the National Capital Region who “have made outstanding contributions to the struggle for gender equality,” according to their website.
The Charlatan spoke with Owusu-Akyeeah via email to discuss the award, her work as an activist, and her plans for the future.
The Charlatan (TC): How does it feel to win a Femmy?
Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah (DOA): It feels great! It’s really hard to explain, but I feel a real sense of joy and accomplishment. I wasn’t expecting to be nominated, let alone by more than one person. I was nominated by my former boss/friend Shelley Taylor. She really believed that I could win. I wasn’t expecting to win at all, so all of this was a great surprise.
TC: What other activist work have you done, specifically at Carleton and within Ottawa?
DOA: I am the former programming co-ordinator at the Carleton University Students’ Association’s Womyn’s Centre. During my time here, I created nuanced programming including the implementation of free pregnancy tests, Fem(me) Talks, and Black HERstory Month to name a few. I have been involved with many African/Black clubs and societies. As well as many feminist groups and initiatives on campus including the Vagina Monologues and advocating for a student-run sexual assault peer-support centre. Most recently, I have worked on the campaign for the women’s and non-binary-only gym hour. This resulted in Carleton Athletics taking the first steps to having this programming on campus.
In the Ottawa community, I helped organize the march for Abdirahman Abdi (he was murdered by the Ottawa Police last summer). I am a sex-educator at Venus Envy where a lot of the activism there comes from sex-positive education. I also helped organize the Dyke March for Capital Pride.
TC: Why do you think it’s important to advocate for some of the causes you were recognized for?
DOA: It’s important because it is integral to my survival. Violence manifests in ways where feminine, racialized, and queer/trans people are the most targeted. For me, it just makes sense to advocate on these things if I see the importance in the lives of people who are like me.
TC: How does it feel to be recognized for the work that you’ve done?
DOA: It feels really good to be recognized by other feminists in the city of Ottawa. I think the most important thing about this award is that feminists/women-identified people in Ottawa have so much respect for it. The fact that we can put value into recognizing each others’ work is radical as well as healing.
TC: What are your plans for the future, especially in relation to your activist work?
DOA: Going forward, I hope to remain an ally for the Justice for Abdirahman Coalition. Things are coming into fruition with the latest charge of the police officer involved in his death. Anti-racist work, especially regarding police violence, needs to remain a priority in this city. I also hope to help with Dyke March this year, the goal is to increase sponsorship for the march and see that the march be included in the official programming for Capital Pride this year.
Answers have been condensed for clarity and space.
– Photo is provided.
