Anne Bishop Book Launch

On February 21, Cooper Institute will host the launch the fourth edition of Anne Bishop’s book, Becoming an Ally, at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre from 10 am–12 noon.

Anne Bishop has been a social justice activist for five decades, as an adult educator, facilitator, researcher, writer and editor with a particular passion for teaching equity and community leadership. Her book, Becoming an Ally, has sold more than 50,000 copies worldwide. The fourth edition, which will be launched on February 21, was published in October of 2025 by Fernwood Press.

This interactive event is open to the public. Everyone is welcome. Anne Bishop will be present to introduce her book and discuss its relevance in this moment in time. The event will be facilitated by Henry Luyombya from Cooper Institute, with participation of Josie Baker, Executive Director of PEERS Alliance, and Jane Ledwell, Executive Director of Creative PEI. There will be plenty of time for questions for the author, and copies of Becoming an Ally will be available for sale thanks to Charlottetown’s independent bookstore, Bookmark.

Anne is the author of several other books including Beyond Token Change and more recently, the novel Under the Bridge. She has also co-authored books on popular education, and the Canadian food system. Anne and her partner recently retired from raising sheep, chicken, fruits and vegetables in Nova Scotia over the past twenty-five years.

When the first edition of Becoming an Ally was published in 1994, the idea was new. Thirty years later, it is everywhere – embraced, rejected and interpreted in many different ways. In this newest edition, Anne builds on the previous three editions, but also starts fresh, writing an accessible guide to what structural oppression is, where it came from and how it spread. The book challenges us to consider what it will take to transform our world society into one that provides the resources and support for everyone to thrive. And within that, what is the role of allies?

Info: ann@cooperinstitute.ca, 902-894-4573 or