After Harper's reign of terror on everything Canadian, Trudeau was a beacon of hope. But, that light is quickly dimming while my disillusionment grows by leaps and bounds. The self-proclaimed feminist is looking more misogynous with each passing day.

On October 19, 2016 Trudeau whipped his party to vote against NDP MP Kennedy Stewart's private member's Bill C-237, the Candidate Gender Equity Act, which would have enhanced existing financial incentives ensuring greater gender parity during federal elections.

We are living a hopefully brief moment in history when women's emancipation is not only under scrutiny, but is being attacked by entitled white males who happen to lead a couple of influential world governments -- Russia and the United States. It's during times like these that it's essential to remind ourselves that grassroots initiatives remain the bedrock of hope and change within our communities.

I like to quote Canadian feminist and social activist Rosemary Brown during dark times like this; "We must open the doors and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through."

The other night I watched the movie The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016). This biographical drama stars Dev Patel as Srinivasa Ramanujan, a brilliant mathematician who created complex formulas in his head. The difficulty arose when those in power required written proof of his theories.

Late October, news accounts that 26 year-old Nuseiba Hasan had been reported missing by a family member in February 2016 raised more than a few eye brows and questions. The missing woman was last seen alive at her family’s Flamborough property.

Hamilton police continue to investigate her disappearance and had been treating it as a homicide. What made this case so unusual is the fact that Hasan had been missing for a decade.

So, why report Hasan missing now? Safety. Someone who cared deeply for Hasan felt they were finally in a safe position to report Hasan’s disappearance.

December 6, 2016 marks the 27 year anniversary of the mass femincide at École Polytechnique. Vigils will be held across Canada to commemorate the murder of 14 female engineering students.

On that day in 1989, a lone gunman entered a classroom of 60 engineering students and ordered the men to leave. The murderer was heard to scream, "I hate feminists," before opening fire with the intent of killing as many women as he could.

I love good food! I also love cooking. Most people don't know that many, many years ago, I graduated from the Culinary Management Program at George Brown College. At that time, the campus was located on Augusta Street in the heart of Toronto's amazing Kensington Market. I went on to complete my apprenticeship and earned my red seal designation.

I often joke the reason I had five kids is because I never learned to cook small -- I cook big! My kids know that when we go on holiday, I will do whatever they want all day long, but once dinner time rolls around we have to have reservations at a restaurant that serves wonderful cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere sans televisions. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to be great.

It's November 30, the last day of Woman Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario and the sixth day of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to say thank you to all of the wonderful men in my life taking a stand to eradicate violence against women and girls.

Ryan McGreal editor of Raise the Hammer (RTH) took a chance on me as a writer when he introduced a genre that had not been a mainstream issue his online paper addressed. Ryan encouraged my outspokenness when it came to women's issues and was always ready to publish my musings. 

While Woman Abuse Prevention Month rapidly draws to a close, the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is ramping up its efforts to keep issues of gendered violence in our hearts, minds and actions.

This makes it the perfect time to look at how well the Canadian government is tackling the epidemic of violence against women and girls. After all, your international credibility is enhanced when your own house in order.

This week the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) called on the federal, provincial and territorial governments to establish a comprehensive National Gender Equality Plan addressing the barriers to women’s equity in Canada.

As the sun sets tonight on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the sky will take on a beautiful orange tinge as cities, towns and villages Orange the World to create a brighter future for women and girls living with gendered violence. This is just the first of 16 glowing nights to mark the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

Over the years my wardrobe has expanded to include a purple skirt, several purple blouses, dresses, pants, amethyst jewellery, and of course scarves. November 1 each year I light up my porch with strings of purple mini lights. I do this to draw attention to the fact that November is Woman Abuse Prevention month in Ontario.

But, on Friday, November 25 I will be wearing my favourite orange turtle neck sweater along with my purple infinity scarf as I do my part to Orange the World to end violence against women and girls.