Books

Women United

Stories of Women’s Struggles for Equality in the Canadian Auto Workers Union

Based on the firsthand stories of dozens of women leaders in the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), Women United examines what workplaces were like for women, how they became involved in the union, and the challenges women faced, sometimes at great personal cost.

From struggles for representation in their union to their fight for affirmative action and childcare, and work against gender-based violence and harassment, Peggy Nash and Julie White show how these feminist activists were joined in struggle not only by their union sisters, but also by their sisters from the broader women’s movement, who learned from them about the importance of women’s workplace rights.

Nash and White document the decades-long struggles of generations of women activists in the CAW, who, despite their few numbers, managed to build a better, more inclusive union. A testament to the union’s motto that "fighting back makes a difference," Women United makes an important contribution to feminist, labour, and social history.

“The timing of this brilliant, feminist, activist book could not be more perfect! Who better to bring a sharp analysis, plucky optimism, and state the case for struggle for universal empowerment in the labour movement than Nash and White? The world needs this book now more than ever.”

– Donna Baines, professor, School of Social Work, University of British Columbia

“Nash and White have put together an informative and engaging history of the struggles and victories of women activists at the CAW. It is critical we recognize the women who worked to pave a path for inclusivity and equality in our unions. A more inclusive union is a more effective union, and we stand on the shoulders of those women union activists across Canada who ensured their voices were heard.”

– Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress

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“Women United is a must-read which delves into the significant history of women’s struggle for justice and equality in the union movement—and by extension, wider Canadian society. Nash and White amplify the voices of women who fought to pave the way for future generations by carefully bringing together countless stories that would otherwise go untold. The interviews of women in the union movement provide important lessons on combatting sexism, patriarchy, and all forms of oppression from an intersectional perspective. Embedded in the stories of struggle are the webs of solidarity forged to propel action and hope for better working and living conditions.”

– Dr. Janelle Brady, assistant professor, School of Early Childhood Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University; president, Ontario NDP

Women Winning Office

An Activist’s Guide to Getting Elected

When Peggy Nash first decided to run for elected office, she had no idea where to start, who to contact, or what the rules were. For those who are underrepresented in political life, politics can seem like a secret society designed to shut them out.

Women Winning Office is a practical handbook for activist women on how to open doors and take their place in the political process. Find out how to build a team, get nominated, inspire volunteers, and canvass voters. Nash draws on her experience in five federal campaigns, as well as the stories of many inspiring Canadian women who have run for office at all levels of government. Some succeeded; some did not. Some faced difficult and painful experiences. Every one of them would do it again.

To make real progressive change, we need to change not only who gets elected in Canada, but how our democracy functions. If you want to find out how to take your desire for a better world into elected office, this book is for you.

“…the book is a master class in how to conduct a campaign, from recruiting volunteers and raising money to getting out the vote, handling the media, and participating in debates.”

–Brooke Jeffrey, Literary Review of Canada

“This book is a highly accessible comment on women’s leadership, power, and social change in a society fraught with inequalities. Nash cleverly balances political critique with personal optimism for all groups of women in Canada.”

– Dr. Pamela Sugiman, dean of the Faculty of Arts, Toronto Metropolitan University

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Buy Women Winning Office »

“Women Winning Office is a tremendous resource that all women with an interest in politics should check out, no matter your background or level of experience. Whether you’re interested in running or supporting someone who wants to run, it’s a must-read. I only wish that when my political interest was sparked decades ago, I’d had this book at my fingertips.”

– Paulette Senior, CEO and president, Canadian Women’s Foundation

Podcasts

Activists Make History with Peggy Nash

A Perspectives Journal Podcast Series

A new podcast series from Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy called Activists Make History demystifies Canadian democracy for political outsiders, demonstrating how we can overcome barriers facing underrepresented groups in Canadian politics. Hosted by Peggy Nash, former Member of Parliament and member of the Broadbent Institute’s Board of Directors, Activists Make History tells the stories of the political underdogs running for political office and how those from the outside can win across Canada.

How do we take the struggles of political outsiders into the halls of power? Nash interviews those on the ground, coming up from the grassroots who aren’t afraid to start from scratch, and take on leadership roles. In Nash’s introduction to the Activists Make History podcast:

“I talk to activists, experts, political leaders, and those like me who've been there and done that to show you can make real progressive change in how Canadian democracy functions.”

This limited series is presented through Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy, and complements Peggy Nash’s 2023 book Women Winning Office: An Activist’s Guide to Getting Elected from Between the Lines. This series is made possible with the support of Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union. Episodes will be shared biweekly on all major podcast platforms via the Perspectives Journal Podcast feed.

Women United: Collective Power that Endures

What's What with Heather Harris - March 23, 2026

In this episode, Heather Harris speaks with former Member of Parliament and author Peggy Nash. Together, they explore how intrepid women within the labour movement have driven progress through collective action, workplace advocacy, and political change.

From historic wins to today’s challenges, this conversation examines how feminism, workers’ rights, and economic justice continue to shape one another and why that progress can never be taken for granted.

Articles and Op-Eds

Selected Media