ActionDignity congratulates Sharmila Ranabhat on the launch of her new book, Finding a Home: Untold Stories of Racialized Immigrant Women.
Sharmila’s journey with ActionDignity began when she chose the organization as her practicum placement while completing her Master of Social Work. What started as a practicum experience grew into a meaningful project dedicated to documenting and amplifying the lived experiences of racialized immigrant women.
ActionDignity was honoured to support Sharmila throughout the development of the book—from shaping the initial concept and connecting with storytellers to conducting interviews and transforming participants’ experiences into the “Just Practice Model.” We are proud to have provided guidance and input along the way and inspired to see how Sharmila’s dedication brought this important work to life.
For too long, the voices and experiences of racialized immigrant women have been overlooked. Their challenges, resilience, strengths, and contributions deserve to be heard, valued, and reflected in the systems, services, and policies that affect their lives.
Finding a Home brings together the powerful stories of 31 racialized immigrant women representing 20 ethnocultural backgrounds. Through their lived experiences, the book offers profound insights into identity, courage, resilience, belonging, and the complex journey of creating a sense of home in Canada.
More than 180 people attended the book launch on August 19, including Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament, community leaders, and other stakeholders. Their presence reflected the importance of creating spaces where racialized immigrant women’s stories can be recognized and brought into broader public and policy conversations.
During the launch, ActionDignity Executive Director Francis Boakye emphasized that the stories shared in the book extend beyond individual experiences. Together, they draw attention to broader systemic barriers and inequities that require collective action.
He called on policymakers and decision-makers to listen to these lived experiences and use the storytellers’ voices and evidence to inform policy reform and advance more equitable and inclusive practices.
ActionDignity is proud to have contributed to this important project and congratulates Sharmila and all 31 storytellers whose courage, knowledge, and experiences made the book possible.