THE SHOE PROJECT

Canadian novelist Katherine Govier wanted to work with women who had immigrated to Canada with leadership potential and help them hone their writing skills in English. Elizabeth Semmelhack, Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum, had long considered doing an exhibition featuring the shoes that brought people to Canada. When the two met, their ideas came together and through the generosity and enthusiasm of a private sponsor The Shoe Project was born.

For eight weeks this past fall, Katherine met with twelve women, ages eighteen to sixty, who came to Canada from the Ukraine to Japan and many places in between. The rich storage vaults of the Bata Shoe Museum inspired the group and Elizabeth spoke to them about the cultural significance of shoes. Over tea and cookies the group discussed writing and immigration. Each woman found that she had a shoe-inspired tale. By the end each member had written a personal essay and provided the footwear to match. Follow the links below to read these "Shoe Stories".

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