On Monday, March 8, our communities came together to celebrate International Women's Day through an online fundraising event hosted in partnership by Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey and Bruce County’s Business to Bruce program.

100 attendees heard from keynote speaker Samra Zafar, bestselling author, speaker, and educator for mental health and human rights. Zafar shared her life journey of finding strength in adversity, comfort with uncertainty and new opportunities during change. Attendees donated money in lieu of purchasing an event ticket, raising a grand total of $1,950 for the Women’s House.

“Samra’s inspiring words of hope and encouragement, and her story of triumph and success, will motivate and inspire many within our community, to reach for their goals,” comments Michelle Lamont, community and fund development coordinator for Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey. “Together, we will step up to everyday challenges and hard challenges alike, and make changes we need to see for the future we envision.”

“Bruce County’s Business to Bruce is proud to partner with the Women’s House through this annual event,” says Jill Roote, manager of economic development at Bruce County. “As a community, we came together to celebrate women’s achievements and women entrepreneurs who are leaving their mark in our area by building successful businesses and contributing to our economy.”

Together, we can build capacity within Bruce County's entrepreneurship ecosystem and close gaps in service of women entrepreneurs.

In addition to the live online event, an online auction, hosted by Nuclear Promise X (NPX), offered locally purchased items up for bid, graciously donated by Women’s House sponsors. The auction raised a grand total of $2,081 for the Women’s House.

Deserving and inspiring community members were recognized at the event, as the recipients of the annual Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey awards were unveiled:

Woman of Distinction award: Anne Finlay-Stewart
Young Woman of Distinction award: Paige France
Inspiring Woman of Distinction, a posthumous award: Marie Wilson, accepted on her behalf by Sadie Battler and Marie’s husband, Ken Battler

“Thank you to all award winners for all you do in our community and for setting an example for strong, inspiring and powerful women,” says Lamont.

Thank you to all Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey sponsors for their generous support, including those who made remarks at the event — Bre Moss of Bruce Power and Sarah Biernes from Society of United Professionals. Thank you to all who participated in the event, and to Business to Bruce for your partnership in celebration of International Women's Day — it was a great showcase of support for our community and to Women’s House."

From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge. #ChooseToChallenge

source: media release, Women's House Serving Bruce & Grey