By Huda Idrees I am incredibly humbled to receive the YWCA Toronto Young Woman of Distinction Award. When I first received the call from Bessy Triantafyllos, then Board President, that I had been selected, I thought, there must be a mistake! Doesn’t the “C” in YWCA stand for “Christian?” I have been accused of many […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
By Toyo Ajibolade “Girls as young as seven are becoming more self-conscious, losing confidence, and giving up sport as a result” – Huffington Post UK I’ve seen and read plenty of similar articles over the past few years and each time, the ages of the girls are getting younger. These articles and reports are written […]
Last week, we hosted the 34th annual YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Awards (presented by Sun Life) to honour seven extraordinary women and raise essential funds for YWCA Toronto programs and services. In case you missed this remarkable event, check out our Storify recap of guests’ tweets and Instagrams throughout the evening. The ceremony was […]
Last night, YWCA Toronto hosted our 34th annual Women of Distinction Awards at the historic and elegant Carlu in downtown Toronto. The evening was a resounding success: inspiring women, charming host Anne-Marie Mediwake, a beautiful venue, delicious food, a silent auction, and fantastic live performances by Megan De Lima, graduate of The Honey Jam. None […]
In celebration of Mother’s Day, some of our staff talk about why their mom is the original Woman of Distinction. No gender roles for Ivy As I write this my 82 year old mom is somewhere on the Asian continent travelling the historic trade route known as the Silk Road. Sometimes I get to travel […]
A look back at YWCA Toronto’s first Women of Distinction Awards in 1981 Now in it’s 32nd year, the Women of Distinction Awards is a gala event that celebrates the achievements of Toronto women, raises critical funds to support YWCA programs, and brings people together to network and be inspired. I can’t help but wonder […]
