Leadership, feminism and building a better future

The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies is a home for independent thinking, leadership, feminism and social change. These ideas are embodied by two spring 2026 grads - Madison Bonnefoy [BAAdv/2026] and Elinam Ohemaa Kwakyewaa Okae-Yeboah [BAHons/2026]. Each has had a unique university journey. They shared their UM highlights with us.

Madison Bonnefoy

Why women’s and gender studies?

“I completed a double major in women’s and gender studies and Indigenous studies. I discovered these majors while looking through the Faculty of Arts degree options. My dad encouraged me to pursue them both. I always had an interest in social change and understanding these different systems, and I was interested in learning through these interdisciplinary lenses.”

Tell us about your volunteerism. 

“I started getting involved in my second year. Having moved from Thompson, a small city in northern Manitoba, I was looking for community on campus. The first student group I was a part of was the Métis University Students' Association. I served as the Director of Special Events, and this was where I realized how much I enjoyed event planning and bringing people together. 

Later that year, fellow students Emerson O'Reilly-Matthes, Nisha Hunter, and I co-founded the Women's and Gender Studies Student Association. Going into this group, we wanted to take a more feminist approach, so we didn't establish a hierarchy for the leadership structure but rather shared responsibilities equally.

As an Arts Student Ambassador, I had the privilege of representing the Faculty of Arts. Speaking to hundreds of incoming students on Welcome Day was a surreal experience as I remembered being a student listening to the ambassadors on my first day. I was also the Director of Academic Programming with the Arts Student Body Council and the Co-Vice President of the UM Indigenous Students' Association.

I also had the opportunity to work with UM Student Affairs where I directly supported their relationship with student leaders. As a student leader myself, this role was insightful and strengthened my interest in student leadership. I had the honour to work closely with the Vice-Provost (Students), Laurie Schnarr and her team to continuously make sure that student leader voices were heard and uplifted. 

Of all my campus experience, one moment stands out: attending Misko Fest, a celebration of Indigenous Culture on campus, in my second year. It inspired me. I was so proud to be Indigenous on campus. The next year, I helped on the planning committee and this past year I led the planning and execution of the event. Misko Fest holds a special place in my journey as an event that has put me on the path I am on now.”

What are your post-graduation plans?

“During my time at UM, I have grown interested in the field of leadership, especially Indigenous students pursuing leadership roles. Once I graduate, I will be working in the summer as the Conference Coordinator for the third annual Students Leading Change Conference at UM. After that, I am starting a full-time position with Canada Life in their Emerging Leader Program, a two-year rotational position where I will gain various experiences at the company and continue developing my leadership skills.

Going into university, I was certain that I would be a human rights lawyer and that was the only path I had dreamt for myself. As I continued through university, I started to realize that maybe that wasn't the path I really wanted. I leaned on my colleagues at Career Services, where I worked part-time, and they helped and supported me as I decided to shift my career focus. 

I hope to take my experience as a Métis-Cree person, give back to my community through leadership and find ways to make educational paths more accessible for Indigenous students and youth.”

What advice do you have for students or grads who want to make social change?

“Not everything has to be a grand gesture or a noticeable achievement. Sometimes working on the finances or organization of a club or group is an achievement in itself. To be a leader that supports others, it's important to take steps back and sometimes be the one that fills out the paperwork or schedules the meetings. Leadership and making change can happen in so many ways, and sometimes these ways can feel smaller, but they are still needed and important.“

Elinam Ohemaa Kwakyewaa Okae-Yeboah

Why women’s and gender studies?

“I have always been interested in studying literature, especially from other racialized people. From a young age I have been involved in anti-racist and feminist initiatives and found that since women’s and gender studies is an interdisciplinary field, it offered me the most approaches to exploring intersectional feminist praxis, especially using literature. I chose English as a minor.

Through my classes, I discovered the Combahee River Collective’s statement and learned that they coined the term “identity politics”. The statement altered my brain chemistry - I have looked at the world differently since the day I read it and every encounter I have with it never ceases to be illuminating.

I have made so many friends through the department. Having a community that came from WGS brings me joy because it spotlights the work young feminists are doing, especially in the troubling times we are in.”

Tell us about your volunteerism. 

“I started getting involved online during the 2020 lockdown. I was in my junior year of high school at the time and passed the days at home reaching out to other African immigrants who lived in the West, sharing information and reposting mutual aid requests. At UM, I volunteered with the Arts Student Body Council, UMSU Community Groups and the Community Engaged Learning Poverty Awareness & Community Action.   I organized community events such as free breakfasts and paint nights, as well as job information sessions. I also used social media to raise students’ awareness to the resources available to them at the university and provide learning opportunities on social justice terminology.”

What are your post-graduation plans?

“I will be working for at least a year before applying for an MA in African Studies or Gender Studies. I want my academic career to be focused on queer and Black literature. I want to spend this year writing and submitting some of my fictional pieces and academic papers to various publications. I am also excited to work on films with the Black Film Collective!”

What advice do you have for students or grads who want to make social change?

“Getting involved starts with taking initiative. I sought out opportunities to join social justice work. Once you’re involved, ensure your advocacy is grounded in ethics and consideration. That is an important thing I’ve learned through my volunteer experience at UM.”