On the eve of International Women’s Day 2019, I found myself surrounded by some pretty amazing women. Looking over a frozen Toronto from the 54th floor of the TD Tower, I joined more than 100 guests and colleagues to meet and hear from the nine women who will receive a YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction […]

Opinion by Lisa Kimmel, Chair & CEO of Edelman Canada; Chair, Edelman Latin America and Global Women’s Equality Network; and, 2019 YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Every year, International Women’s Day (IWD) comes around again and reminds us gender inequality still requires our attention and action. It might be easy to be frustrated at the […]

Happy 2019 Black History Month! In honour of Black History Month, we celebrate YWCA Toronto’s Women of Distinction from Canada’s diverse Black communities. This annual award is given to women who have demonstrated an unshakeable commitment to improving the lives of other women and girls. Trailblazers, door-openers, activists and change makers – YWCA Toronto celebrates […]

Let’s make 2019 the most empowering year yet! This list was inspired by https://www.theodysseyonline.com/12-resolutions-feminist-new-year.   Art by Hana Shafi Stop Shame Art by Natalia Vico I will not be ashamed to do what my body and mind requires to stay healthy and happy. I will not feel shame when I ask for help. Asking for help is […]

October 30, 2018 In 2004, YWCA Toronto honoured Debbie Douglas with a Women of Distinction Award for her exemplary commitment to social justice. Debbie is currently the Executive Director of OCASI – the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants – a provincial body representing over 234 agencies across the province employing over 20,000 workers. Recently, […]

Before the summer’s end, I visited two friends, two Indigenous women who are also lawyers like me. We met up near Davenport Road. We chatted over dessert and drinks. Eventually we decided to leave, and I ordered a car sharing service. It arrived with another man inside but I had not ordered a carpool. I […]

September 25, 2018 What does being on social assistance look like for women? This question is often left out of public discussions, even though women in Ontario have higher poverty rates than the general Ontario population. And, 37% of single-women led families in Toronto live in poverty. YWCA Toronto’s position on social assistance reform is […]

This op-ed was originally published in the Toronto Star. Read it here.  The presence of a firearm in the household greatly increases the risk of death in cases of domestic violence. This is a well-researched fact that every Canadian should know. Indeed, this fact is the reason why YWCA Toronto has been part of the […]

This election is an opportunity to urge all parties to stand up for Ontario’s women and girls, and put gender equity front and centre. June 01, 2018. I first heard about YWCA from my mother. At the time, we were living in Toronto and she had no idea there were local associations in Canada. Her […]

Every time there is an election I cannot help but stop and feel grateful for those who fought for my right to vote, and the upcoming provincial election has not been an exception. On June 7th, Ontarians will head to the polls for the provincial election, and I am so grateful that I will be […]