I’ve known Sarah White through many phases and stages of her life, as this summer we celebrate 39 years together. That’s about a million in gay years.
For as long as I’ve known Sarah, she’s always been creative and involved in social justice and community. It is not necessarily what she does but how she thinks. Sarah experiences life from the perspective of aesthetic, colour, design, innovation and empathy. Somehow Sarah brought together design and impact and has never taken the traditional route on anything. Using her training as a landscape architect, to facilitate community involvement in the design of a project like Mosaic Creek Park. Or taking a summer intensive at Emily Carr or doing a short stint as an elementary school teacher and co-founding Fairware (partly at recess), a business with a mandate rooted in sustainability and social impact.
You might think that Sarah ending up as the subject of the documentary Not Quite That is simply the latest and logical step along this journey. But nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact Sarah was initially resistant and often difficult. What I have witnessed is that the experience has facilitated a personal transformation in Sarah, claiming her full identity, maybe for the first time. I’m so moved to see the impact the film has had on all of the audiences at 16 festivals in 6 countries. Sarah’s vulnerability, humility and strength have connected in so many different ways with so many people, regardless of who they are or what their life experience has been.
And Sarah has always been a committed parent to 3 now adult children, the funniest grandma on the planet, a devoted friend, and an always intriguing and hot girlfriend to me.
-Written by Tamara Adilman, Sarah’s life partner
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Which neighbourhood are you in?
I’ve lived in Vancouver since I was 4 years old, in a few neighbourhoods, east, west and north. I currently live in the Sunset neighbourhood which I love. I enjoy walking in the cemetery, Queen Elizabeth Park, shopping on Fraser and Main. The neighbourhood is very involved and engaged making it a great place to live.
What do you do?
My day job – I’m the co-founder and COO at Fairware, North America’s leading provider of sustainable and ethically sourced merchandise. We are a founding Canadian B Corporation, LGBTQ+ and Women Owned Certified, and Living Wage Employer.
My work involves operations and driving Fairware’s commitment to being an anti-racist organization. I’m a member of the President’s Group, BC business leaders championing more accessible workplaces.
For over 10 years, I have volunteered with Vancouver Street Soccer an organization that utilizes sport to uplift and empower marginalized folks on the downtown east side of Vancouver.
Another significant focus over the last number of years has been being the main participant in a documentary. Not Quite That follows my journey with BRCA2, cancer prevention, and self-discovery. Both the filming and the film festival circuit have been a focus outside of work.
What are you currently working on?
Much of my time outside of work involves the documentary that I am the participant in, Not Quite That. It follows my journey, with BRCA2, preventative medical interventions. Over the 18+ months since the premiere at DOXA in 2023, we have travelled to festivals and witnessed the incredible response to it. What it has emphasized for me is the great need for representation, for those who never see themselves in media. As well, a need for education in the medical system for gender-affirming care. This work has become my activism and service, and I look forward to more community screenings and working with the medical community.
Where can we find your work?
Last year Fairware published our first impact report which outlines the work we are doing.
Here’s a video that outlines some of B Corp’s work and our contribution to it: Restoration in Action.
And here’s information about the film – including the trailer and where to watch the film – at Not Quite That (dir. Ali Grant, 2022). Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
