‘Making a difference’: Regina’s Women’s March braves bitterly cold temperatures with downtown walk

Around 100 people braved the -40 C wind chills to take part in Regina's annual Women's March on Saturday. ((AngelaStewart/CTVNews))

Many braved the dangerously cold temperatures Saturday for the annual Regina Women’s March aimed at raising awareness around women in marginalized communities and at risk gender diverse people.

Regina was under an extreme cold warning with the temperature hovering around minus 27 and minus 41 with the wind chill, but that didn’t stop around 100 people from coming out to the YWCA to participate.

“There was one year that was colder where the windchill was minus 43, and we were actually the coldest place on the planet,” said Krystal Kolodziejak, a community volunteer with Women’s March Regina.

The walk began at the YWCA, with participants marching through the downtown carrying signs, before returning to the starting point.

“Since 2017, this iteration of the women’s movement as part of the Women’s March has been active. It started in Washington and then in Regina was active in 2018, and since then we’ve been one of the more active locations that continues to march every year,” said Kolodziejak.

This weekend’s march was in collaboration with similar walks taking place around the world.

Kolodziejak has been involved in Regina’s walks since the beginning.

“This year and every year to be able to bring awareness to seeing that rights of women and marginalized communities and gender diverse people are at risk. To be able to join the voice and be able to make sure that we maintain those, if not progress, is the main reason why I get involved.”

“I think with seeing the number of people that are coming out, the number of new people that are joining. The march and our voice is a sign that it is making a difference,” added Kolodziejak.

Koldziejak said she participated in the original march that was held in Washington in 2017.

“I joined the Canadian delegation of women and men of Toronto. It was amazing. I had never been in a group of people that large, but yet it was quite peaceful, very positive.”