Recognizing the talents, contributions and passions of women leaders in the Hamilton community
The Women of Distinction Awards recognize the talents, contributions and passions of women leaders in the Hamilton community. However, the impact of the awards doesn’t end when the final winner is announced. The achievements of women who are honoured with Women of Distinction Awards continue to inspire countless others in the community, and the relationships built at the gala strengthen as new-found acquaintances and friends stand in solidarity.
Recognizing the diversity and the strength of women is a top priority of the Women of Distinction Awards, and this is more important than ever. When we invest in women, we invest in the future. We look forward to a tomorrow when women are sitting at all decision-making tables.
Recently, YWCA Hamilton worked with McMaster University to complete the second installment of the EXCLerator Report, the first comprehensive investigation into diverse leadership representation in Hamilton and Halton. This report analyzes findings against our initial 2014 benchmark data, allowing us to evaluate progress and identify setbacks in women’s leadership trajectories across nine employment sectors. The report found that despite some progress, women remain underrepresented in leadership across virtually all employment sectors in our two municipalities.
The EXCLerator Report tells us that in Hamilton and Halton, only 19.2 per cent of people on corporate boards are women. Of these women, only 7.3 per cent are visible minorities. Only 31.5 per cent of leaders in the legal sector are women. The only sector in which women are equally represented is the volunteer sector. However, there is hope. 47.5 per cent of leaders in the youth sector are women and 55.6 per cent of these women are visible minorities.
YWCA Hamilton knows that in a world of #MeToo and the wage gap, there is a lot of work to do; however, we are committed to making that change happen through our many essential and meaningful programs and services that allow us to achieve our mission of strengthening women’s and girls’ voices, broadening their choices, and building dynamic leadership opportunities that promote safe, inclusive, and equitable communities.
YWCA Hamilton is committed to reducing barriers women face to leadership positions, including (but not limited to) a lack of affordable housing and access to child care. Our employment services offer training and mentorship opportunities for small business owners with limited incomes, as well as support for internationally trained individuals upgrading their skills in Canada. YWCA Hamilton proudly engages young women in science and technology through our STEM Girls Camp, and offers training to women in the field of Information Technology. Our programs also offer paid work experience and training for
young women in the service industry, as well as adults with a disability. Our health and wellness programs focus on mental and physical health, serving a diverse group of members, including women who have recently come to Canada from Syria and those who have experienced breast cancer.
Late last year, YWCA Hamilton was instrumental in organizing Elect More Women Conference, a non-partisan event that encouraged more women and gender non-conforming people to get involved in politics as candidates, organizers, and volunteers. Following the success of this event, the YWCA Hamilton helped plan the Women’s March Forward Summit and the Elect More Women Workshop Series. We also took an active role in demanding a gendered lens on the federal government’s National Housing Strategy.
We believe that women can’t be what they don’t see, and our diverse programs and services reflect that. To learn more about YWCA Hamilton and our many initiatives, we invite you to visit ywacahamilton.org or find us on social media.