Every year, YWCA Toronto celebrates the incredible lives and work of women and gender diverse people in our community who advance gender equity in a range of areas such as business, education, social justice, advocacy, arts, health, philanthropy and more through YWCA Toronto’s Women of Distinction Awards.
Over the past 42 years, we have honoured 319 award recipients who have made up a truly extraordinary Circle of Distinction. We gathered the responses from a few of our Women of Distinction alumnae on what ‘championing the rights of women, girls and gender diverse people’ means to them and which women and gender diverse people inspire them.
First up is Deepa Mattoo, 2022 Woman of Distinction Award Recipient. As a skilled feminist lawyer and Executive Director of Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Deepa is a passionate advocate for survivors of violence. When we asked her what ‘championing the rights of women, girls and gender diverse people’ means to her she had this to say:
It is to be a conduit for building intentional spaces and capacities for the voices of women, girls and gender diverse people and the needs of under-served communities, recognizing historical and ongoing trauma, and honouring the interconnectedness of survivors, advocates and communities.
Dr. Notisha Massaquoi, 2023 Woman of Distinction Award Recipient has been a powerful force in Black women's healthcare for over 30 years. While Dr. Massaquoi inspires us, she has certainly been inspired by others as well. Here’s what Dr. Massaquoi had to say about who inspires her:
One of my biggest inspirations was my mentor Dr. Joan Lesmond. She was a nurse, educator, advocate, and recognized leader who profoundly impacted the nursing profession and community-based healthcare in Canada. She mentored countless women to become healthcare leaders and fought tirelessly to increase access to healthcare professions for Black women. Joan received the Women of Distinction Award for health leadership in 2011, but unfortunately, she passed away after a well-fought battle with cancer before she could accept the award. As one of her nominees, it never occurred to me that I would one day receive the same award. Her shoes are big shoes to fill, so I hope I can continue her legacy.
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At YWCA Toronto’s 43rd Women of Distinction Awards on May 23, 2024, we want to continue celebrating inspiring changemakers in our community who are championing the rights of women, girls and gender diverse people. You can help us by nominating the next YWCA Toronto Woman of Distinction!
All nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Do you have someone in mind? Nominate a changemaker here: https://www.ywcatoronto.org/womenofdistinction