For one woman, a missing Congo shoe raises questions about the absence of African women in the narrative of human history. For another, stilettos serve as emotional armour against false accusations over a coup attempt in Turkey. And for yet another, the purchase of new running shoes in Canada recalls life in a refugee camp and the endless search for water.

These gripping stories – and eight more – by immigrant and refugee women will feature in two performances of The Shoe Project on March 8, International Women’s Day, at the George Ignatieff Theatre on the University of Toronto campus at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The Shoe Project is a women-led, non-profit initiative founded by Katherine Govier, one of Canada’s foremost authors and a recent recipient of the Order of Canada. She will host a talk with the women performers between the shows, alongside theatre director Kate Lynch, and voice and performance coach Leah Cherniak at 3:30 p.m.

“The Shoe Project performances will show how footwear – whether selected by choice or imposed in difficult circumstances – can make or break a journey, shape the present and open the door to a new future,” said Artistic Director Govier. “Shoes can be terrible and wonderful at the same time, but one thing is certain, every new Canadian has a shoe tale to tell."

In 2020, The Shoe Project is rolling out across the country with three new chapters offering unique local performances in Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax. The Toronto performance follows Vancouver and Calgary’s sold out events in January.

This series is supported in part by the government of Canada through the federal Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program. The Shoe Project is in partnership with PEN Canada, a non-profit group that advocates freedom of expression. Local partners include the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and PIRS in Vancouver. It was incubated at The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto.