B.C. Heroes: Raminder Dosanjh

Denise Ryan, Vancouver Sun 

B.C. Heroes: Raminder Dosanjh

Raminder Dosanjh's feminist education began early, in her own home.

Bill Keay / Vancouver Sun


Raminder Dosanjh's feminist education began early, in her own home, through the power of her own observation.

"I was conscious of the classes very early, the status of the poor, and the status of women. You would look at how girls and servants were treated, how some women went from house to house cleaning dishes to earn their living, and you felt in your heart how difficult a life it was."

Her mother, whose formal education had been ended in Grade 2, was socially conscious and a powerful role model. She carefully taught Dosanjh that every person must be treated equally, with respect, no matter what their gender or class.

Her father, who was "very broad-minded", ensured she had a good education.

It became the foundation from which everything in Dosanjh's life evolved.

"I came to this country with $7, which was all you could bring. What helped me was my experience and education."

Volunteering in schools, and in the Indo-Canadian community in Vancouver, Dosnanjh quickly became aware that other women were not so lucky: without education many women did not have a voice or a means to take action to improve their own lives.

She galvanized and began to work for change, becoming a blazing advocate for women, working to educate and end violence and discrimination in the Indo-Canadian and broader community.

"I want to see a society which is in a true sense one that provides equal opportunity to women and to men, that is gender neutral and colour blind."

Dosanjh, who is married to former attorney-general Ujjal Dosanjh, says she is absolutely a feminist, but to her feminism is not just a female thing: "To me, being a feminist is about everyone being equal and everyone being treated as equal citizens."


