On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, HWDSB students and staff are encouraged to wear a pink shirt in
honour of Pink Shirt Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness and standing up against bullying. This
initiative reflects HWDSB’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive, safe, and caring learning
environments where all students feel a sense of belonging and well-being.
What is Pink Shirt Day?
Pink Shirt Day, also known as Anti-Bullying Day, is recognized annually across Canada. Individuals in
schools and workplaces unite by wearing pink shirts to take a stand against bullying. The theme for Pink
Shirt Day 2025 is “Let Kindness Grow”.
“Our 2025 Pink Shirt Day design is all about cultivating a community of kindness. Just like tending to a
garden, together we can each help nurture a sense of belonging where we live, work, and go to school. It
all starts with small gestures—a kind word, an offer of support or understanding. If we plant enough,
pretty soon, more will be sprouting up all around us! By sprinkling these seeds of empathy and compassion,
we can work towards a world without bullying and ‘Let Kindness Grow’ through all of our community
gardens.” – https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/
Why a Pink T-Shirt?
The movement began in 2007 when two high school students in Nova Scotia stood up against bullying.
After witnessing another student being bullied for wearing a pink shirt, they purchased pink shirts for
themselves and their classmates to wear in solidarity.
Isn’t Pink Shirt Day the same as International Day of Pink?
While both days have similar origins, their purposes are distinct. Pink Shirt Day has a general anti-bullying
focus, whereas the International Day of Pink (April) specifically highlights homophobic and transphobic
bullying. HWDSB will also recognize the International Day of Pink in April to support our Two Spirit and
LGBTQIA+ communities.