People, Equity & Inclusion

Lavender Librarian champions storytime for all

image of Kate Reynolds reading from a book and smiling superimposed on a tablet over some colourful drawingsKate Reynolds aka the Lavender Librarian got started with social media storytime in 2020 (PROVIDED BY K. REYNOLDS; TEMPLATE VIA CANVA STOCK/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

With her glitter-covered eyeglasses, Kate Reynolds (BMus ’06) knows that she looks like a children’s librarian. However, part of her goal as the founder of Storytime Solidarity is to shake up assumptions about who leads storytime. 

Indigenous allyship in action: Q&A with Sandra Ondracka

Sandra Ondracka in the fitness centre at the TLCSandra Ondracka is the campus recreation coordinator (KYLE ARCHIBALD/University of Windsor)

As part of the launch of the Turtle Island — Indigenous Student Services Centre's Indigenous Allyship Guide, we are asking allies across campus to reflect on their allyship journeys.

Sandra Ondracka is the Campus Recreation Coordinator.

Q: How would you describe what Indigenous allyship means to you? 

New guide supports Indigenous allyship at UWindsor

Staff and students holding flags of Indigenous nationsA new guide on Indigenous allyship is now available from Turtle Island - Indigenous Student Services Centre (PROVIDED BY F. LOMASCOLO/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

A new guide aims to support non-Indigenous members of the UWindsor community in building their knowledge and strengthening their allyship with Indigenous Peoples and communities. 

Developed by Sisco Consulting in collaboration with the Turtle Island — Indigenous Student Services Centre, the document provides guidance to non-Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members as they work toward allyship. 

Drag takes visual arts alumni to centre stage

Drag performer Juice BoxxAlumnus Jo Primeau aka Juice Boxx recently appeared on Canada's Drag Race All Stars (PROVIDED BY J. PRIMEAU/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

On the road from UWindsor's School of Visual Arts to Canada's Drag Race, artistry has always taken centre stage for Jo Primeau (BFA '11). 

Better known as drag persona Juice Boxx, Primeau began performing back in 2016 after graduating from UWindsor and moving to Toronto to study makeup and special effects at Complections Makeup Artistry (now CMU College).  

Work in television, film and events, followed by a role with MAC Cosmetics, eventually led Primeau to drag. 

Legal protection is not the same as belonging: Report sheds light on experiences of Black queer and trans migrants in Windsor-Essex

Anold Mulaisho, Dr. Carlo Handy Charles, drag performers Valentina Rosé and Baddie Brooks, and Dr. Camisha SibblisAnold Mulaisho, Dr. Carlo Handy Charles, drag performers Valentina Rosé and Baddie Brooks and Dr. Camisha Sibblis, Director of the Black Scholars Institute, participated in the Black Queer and Trans Migrants and Racism Conference at the University of Windsor’s Black Scholars Institute in March 2026 (DAVE GAUTHIER/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves

Being legally protected on the basis of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation is not the same thing as belonging. 

That is the message of a new report by UWindsor sociology professor Dr. Carlo Handy Charles examining the experiences of Black queer and trans migrants in Windsor-Essex. 

“We’re only just getting started:” HK alum are changing the game in women’s pro sports

Eve Uwayesu headshot and Eva Ou on the ice with a press passUWindsor alumnae Eve Uwayesu and Eva Ou turned their experience in the Faculty of Human Kinetics into roles in pro women's sports (PROVIDED BY E. UWAYESU & PWHL/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

The first time Eve Uwayesu walked into the Toronto Tempo's offices, the WNBA's newest team was still being built — and so was a moment in professional women's sport that nobody could have predicted a decade ago. 

"Everyone watches women's sports." 

What does Disability Pride Month mean at UWindsor? Staff share why it matters all year long

close up of disability pride flag sticker on a laptopDisability Pride Month celebrates disability activism and the culture, identity and contributions of the disability community (CANVA STOCK/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

With its colourful and muted stripes, the Disability Pride flag is itself an example of accessible design. 

First created by Ann Magill in 2016, the original flag featured brighter colours in a lightning bolt pattern but inadvertently had a strobing effect for some with migraines and seizures. In true inclusive fashion, Magill listened to the community and redesigned the flag, leading to its current version of muted colours and diagonal stripes. 

Building belonging through conversation

Marium Tolson-Murtty attends Alumni eventThree-time University of Windsor alumna Marium Tolson-Murtty holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies, a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education and is currently pursuing a PhD in the Faculty of Education. (FILE/University of Windsor)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

For Marium Tolson-Murtty, creating inclusive environments has never been confined to a job description.

Long before becoming director of the Office of Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Mediation (OHRCRM), equity shaped her work across campus — whether supporting students, recruiting future Lancers, coordinating professional development programs or helping advance institutional anti-racism initiatives.

Continuing teacher education course grounds inclusive futures in queer history

Walter Cassidy in the Leddy archivesWalter Cassidy is a local high school teacher and instructor of the Teaching LGTBQ Students additional qualification course for teachers (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

History tells us that the bigots never win. 

That’s what gives Windsor high school teacher and Faculty of Education alumnus Walter Cassidy (BEd ’00) hope in the face of what seems like an uptick in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment. 

“As long as we know our history and we know that we’ve been through this before, we’ll get through it,” Cassidy says. “We always do.” 

Kinesiology professor recognized for commitment to leadership in equity

Dr. Sean HortonDr. Sean Horton is the 2026 recipient of the Mary Lou Dietz Equity Leadership Award (MICHAEL WILKINS/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

From academic advocacy to community engagement, Dr. Sean Horton’s work is consistently imbued with a focus on equity and inclusivity. 

These efforts will be recognized by the Windsor University Faculty Association’s (WUFA) Status of Women, Diversity and Equity Action Committee as Horton is awarded the 2026 Mary Lou Dietz Equity Leadership Award at an award celebration on May 27