International Women's Day: Toronto-St. Paul’s Summit for Young Women Leaders

Linden students meet inspiring female leaders at the summit: Hannah Rittner (Writer, Producer, and Advocate), Sonia Thomas (Inspector, Toronto Police Service), Dr. Sylvia Bashevkin (Professor and Author), Chi Nguyen (Advocate and Consultant), Hon. Carolyn Bennett (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs), and Deborah Richardson (Deputy Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation-Ontario).

By Tulay Yalcin, Linden Teacher

Minister Carolyn Bennett invited Linden students to join her in celebrating International Women’s Day at the annual Toronto—St. Paul’s Summit for Young Women Leaders on Friday, March 3, 2017.

Linden was among 12 local schools invited to select student leaders to attend this event. Linden's Emma Wymant, Sophie Questal, Rachel Marks, Isobel Bain, and Ava Wilkins joined 70 other female student leaders to hear from five inspiring women leaders from different fields: Toronto Police Inspector Sonia Thomas; Deborah Richardson-Goulais, Deputy Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation for Ontario; Dr. Sylvia Bashevkin, Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto; consultant and advocate Chi Nguyen; and writer and advocate Hannah Rittner. After the initial panel presentation by these leaders, each panelist rotated from table to table to have discussions with the girls on gender equality.

The event was a great way to honour women’s work and achievements, as well as to discuss the many challenges women and girls continue to face around the world.