For the past 36 years, the Toronto Women’s Bookstore has helped promote critical thinking and the empowerment of marginalized people and women in Toronto. The TWB survived a bombing in 1984, but is less likely to withstand the effects of the recession (and maybe a little too much sex and consequence on MTV–just saying, I love the guidos though!).

Saving one of Canada’s largest agents of print and alternative thought can cost as little as 10 bucks! Give the gift of knowledge this christmas.

Press Release:

Toronto — After 36 years in business, one of North America’s last non-profit feminist andcommunity bookstores is facing the possibility it may have to close its doors for good.

The Toronto Women•s Bookstore [TWB], located at 73 Harbord Street, has come onhard times as a result of the economic downturn. Changes both in the book industry andwithin the store left TWB unprepared for dealing with the crisis of rising costs and decreasing sales, and the store now finds itself within months of closing permanently.

The TWB board of directors,staff and volunteers have committed themselves to undertaking the tremendous task of saving the bookstore. Though the board and management have been implementing cost-saving measures from within, they need the community’s help in raising enough money to pay the store’s mounting debt.

Co-managers Janet Romero-Leiva and Alex MacFadyen estimate that it will require $40,000 to keep TWB in business for the next three months, much of which needs to beraised by January. In a community letter, scheduled to be release December 16, TWB isasking supporters to donate $10-30 each, or whatever they can afford, to help save the store.

The bookstore will, ultimately, need to raise additional funds to keep going beyond threemonths, and TWB is undertaking a long-term fundraising strategic plan. Again, the bookstore will be seeking community support to assist with this.

Founded in 1973, the Toronto Women’s Bookstore is a non-profit organization led by aboard of directors and a team of co-managers. Aside from small grants for special events, the store receives no outside funding and is sustained through book sales. Inaddition to supplying Torontonians with feminist and anti-oppression literature, TWB haslong worked alongside community organizations to advance feminist and anti-oppression work in the city.

TWB has faced crises on a few occasions, such as when it was firebombed by anti-abortion protestors targeting the Morgentaler abortion clinicabove the store in 1984. Yet TWB has survived over 35 years in business, and is one of only three remaining feminist bookstores in Canada.

Those interested in contributing may drop by the bookstore for more information. We are in the process of setting up a paypal account so donations can be madeelectronically through our website.

The TWB appreciates media attention to our plight, and would like to make ourselves available to media outlets. To obtain more information or to arrange an interview, pleasecontact Robyn Bourgeois, media contact and chair of the TWB Board of directors, at robyn.bourgeois@utoronto.ca, or 416-534-9485.

www.womensbookstore.com