Author Kate Armstrong

On February 10th, the Rèseau Athena Network at RMC launched its virtual book club series. I'm so honoured that The Stone Frigate is their first book selection. I attended the launch as guest speaker to talk about my early life and events that led me to becoming a cadet at RMC. This winter the book club is reading my memoir and we're scheduled to meet again in April to debrief. I'm so excited, as always, whenever I have the chance to spend time with cadets! Thank you to the organizing committee for all the hard work it takes to pull together a gathering from one end of Canada to the other!

Last week, on the evening of February 5th, I had the pleasure of meeting with the 561 Nelson Opsrey Air Cadet Squadron to share about my Air Cadet years and journey to being accepted for a Gliding Scholarship in 1978. We talked about RMC and the career opportunities available in the Canadian Armed Forces. Super fun night. Can you believe that one of my glider pilot training friends from the summer of 1978, Mark Mozel, was on the call with us too! He lives in Nelson.

My acceptance speech on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiUVlWr23Yg&feature=youtu.be

The Stone Frigate has won the 2019-2020 OHS Alison Prentice Award for best book on Ontario Women's History published in the last three years!! I'm so HONOURED and over the moon with excitement! There are good days and then there are BEST DAYS EVER!!! Today is definitely a best day ever.

I am honoured to participate in this powerful Servicewomen's Salute blog series delving into the dynamics and impacts of gender-based violence. The piece I've written about my personal experiences with gaslighting went live today. https://www.katearmstrong.ca///3/servicewomens-salute-blog

We are preparing to go out for a moment of silence in the woods along the creek on our property to remember all those who gave their lives to leave this legacy of freedom for all of us and to remember all my friends who have died in service of continuing to keep us safe. I miss you still. And to those who live on today, still wearing or having had worn a uniform, thank you for your service. I am forever grateful and will never forget you.

CBC Radio One "Ontario Morning" reached me this week for a second discuss about the Statistics Canada report on Sexual Misconduct within RMC. I read the full report over the weekend and there is more to this story than is being covered. The survey findings reported by Stats Canada found the percentages are the same as observed in all of our Canadian postsecondary institutions! If you want to hear more, I've included the live link in the attached webpage journal post. https://www.katearmstrong.ca//cbc-radio-one-ontario-morning

CBC Radio called and asked for my reaction to the Statistics Canada survey conducted last year, and released on October 8th, which determined that nearly 70% of Military College cadets reported Sexual Misconduct in 2019. The radio interview and all the details can be found on this link to my webpage journal entry. https://www.katearmstrong.ca/writers-jo/cbcradioasithappens

Question: What could a Patent-Holding Electrical Engineer, a Published Author, an Army Brigadier-General, a Judge, a Helicopter Pilot, and an Organic Farmer possibly have in common? Answer: They are all Women Graduates of The Royal Military College of Canada AND guests on the recently launched podcast WMNCanada hosted by Amanda Kalhous the Patent-Holding Electrical Engineer (like 30 patents!!) It was my delight and honour to be invited as the guest in Episode 001 of the serie...s. I've listened to all five interviews dropped so far and highly recommend tuning into the WMNCanada Podcast for inspiration and a sense of belonging within a community of women who care about equality and making a difference in the world. This link connects to my webpage journal entry for my interview and contains more information about the podcast in general. https://www.katearmstrong.ca/writers-jo//wmncanada-podcast See more

Eighteen months ago today, I launched The Stone Frigate and this orchid was given to me as a gift during that time (thank you Faune!). It had three blooms and a tiny How to Care For Your Orchid card attached with two easy tips: don’t put the plant in direct sunlight and feed it three ice cubes once a week. Every Sunday since, blooms or no blooms, I set three ice cubes in the roots and watch the magic. This is the fourth round of blooming and today I’ve counted a record 15 flowers or new buds. For someone who has never had any luck with orchids, this feels like a miracle. Happy ice cube Sunday to you!! xo

Here's a little tale of serendipity. Hope it delights you as much as it delights me! https://www.katearmstrong.ca//2020/9/1/what-are-the-chances

This message from Alex made my day!! Congratulations to her on Graduating in the Class of 2020 this spring! xo