Every day, we run into amazing women who make us stop and look at life a little differently. And so, we think a fitting finale to our 35th anniversary year is honouring some of these Canadians. Our pick includes some who are famous and some who aren’t – from an international opera star to a 16-year-old medical researcher. We think they will inspire you, too.
Kelly Williams, a race car driver, puts the pedal to the metal in a world that’s often intimidating to women. Now she’s working to empower women by running Car Care Clinics and demystifying cars in her e-book, Kelly’s Garage.
Michaëlle Jean, former Governor General of Canada, reminded us all after the earthquake in Haiti this year how important it is to reach out to others in a disaster. In September, she was appointed special envoy to Haiti by the United Nations.
Is there a Canadian woman who really inspires you? Share your picks with other readers in the comments section on the next page.
Angela James is a hockey legend. The winner of four world championships, she leaped a boundary this year, becoming one of the first two women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Dr. Samantha Nutt cofounded War Child Canada, an organization that helps children in war zones across the globe, after witnessing firsthand the struggles of kids affected by war.
Melissa-Jane Shaw – actor, producer, choreographer and businesswoman – does it all. To help open up opportunities for women in the arts, she founded Seventh Stage Productions, now called LaRouge Entertainment.
Dr. Lalita Malhotra moved to Prince Albert, Sask., from her native India in 1975 and became an advocate for women’s health, founding the Women’s Wellness Clinic, which works to help newcomers adapt to the Canadian health-care system.
Debi Goodwin, a documentary producer, recorded the lives of 11 refugee students from Kenya who received scholarships from Canadian universities and permanent residency, in Citizens of Nowhere: From Refugee Camp to Canadian Campus (Doubleday Canada, 2010). She brought us a glimpse into their lives as they adjust to winter, washing machines and western culture.
Samantha Bee, one of two Canadian correspondents on the popular TV show "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," treats audiences to her hilarious Canadian sense of humour four nights a week.
Floria Sigismondi, a director, is responsible for parlaying her vision into memorable music videos, but this year, she really pushed it with her biopic debut, The Runaways, which brought the coming-of-age story about former Runaways singer Cherie Currie to life.
Joelle Berdugo Adler found the perfect fit with denim and philanthropy. After securing the Canadian rights to distribute Diesel jeans with her partner, she created OneXOne, a nonprofit foundation that supports local and international charities.
Page 1 of 3 – Discover ten more inspirational Canadian women on page 2.
