By Eleanor Moore and Diane Goudie Given the recent discussion around education and how to build resilience in students, we find ourselves looking again at the reasons we created an independent, feminist girls’ school 25 years ago. A fundamental question we asked 25 years ago: How do we make a feminist school? Little did we […]

Judy Huber has had a multi-decade career in software engineering including two decades of global executive roles. She made history as the first Canadian woman software development executive at IBM Canada. Her most recent roles were Vice President World Wide Analytics IBM and the Executive Director of the IBM Canada Software Laboratory. Now retired, Judy […]

By Jana Girdauskas Recently, the documentary short Period. End Of Sentence., won an Oscar. The movie highlights the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation in some areas of India. Here in Canada we experience a similar issue: the period is still a source of whispers and embarrassment, particularly for young women. The truth is, approximately 50% of […]

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 […]