This week the
YWCA Toronto honours seven Toronto women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls both within and beyond the GTA. The
Women of Distinction Awards Dinner, now in its 32nd year, is presented by Sun Life Financial and is held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
As the main YWCA Toronto fundraising event, the May 16 gala is used to fund the nonprofits ongoing initiatives.
"The funds go towards all of our programs," says Sarah Blackstock, director of advocacy and communication for YWCA Toronto, "so that includes Canada's only fulltime girls centre, which we run in Scarborough, that includes our shelters, employment programs, housing, community support programs and even advocacy work."
Apart from fundraising, Blackstock says the award ceremony is about visibility and empowerment.
This year's honoured women are:
Elyse Allan - Business
Soteira Hortop - Young Woman of Distinction
Judith Humphrey - Entrepreneurship
Angela James - Sport
Bridget Lynch - Healthcare
Pamela Palmater - Social Justice
Anne Sado - Education
"The event is important because as a women's organization, as a feminist organization, it's important for us to do two things," says Blackstock. "One is to celebrate our successes and the second is to highlight the barriers women continue to face and the issue we continue we continue to grapple with."
By honouring women of diverse career backgrounds—from business leaders to teachers—and showcasing their successes and challenges, Blackstock says Women of Distinction is an empowering evening.
"That's what draws people to the event and that's what draws the guests and that's what draws the sponsors as well," she says.
Writer: Katia Snukal
Source: Sarah Blackstock, Director of Advocacy & Communication, YWCA Toronto