Nominations Now Open! 2023 YWCA Cambridge Women of Distinction Awards

Jan 17, 2023 | Blog, News, Women of Distinction

Nominations have officially opened for the prestigious YWCA Cambridge Women of Distinction Awards. Since 1994, The Women of Distinction Gala has been YWCA Cambridge’s premiere fundraising event, recognizing more than 300 women for their contributions to their communities.

This year marks an exciting departure from the traditional Women of Distinction Awards. The 2023 awards are taking a more holistic and inclusive approach that will ensure nominees are recognized for their own unique strengths, achievements and contributions while centering YWCA Cambridge’s core values of equity, self-determination, inclusion, community and leadership.

Rather than specific award categories as in previous years, there will be one pool of nominees from which the YWCA Cambridge Women of Distinction Selection Committee will choose award recipients. The Selection Committee will select four recipients in addition to two recipients of special award categories: Young Trailblazer and Lifetime Achievement. A third special award category, the President’s Award, will be selected by YWCA Cambridge board and staff members.

Any woman or young trailblazer who has contributed positively to Cambridge and North Dumfries, who meets the award criteria, and is not a previous award winner is eligible for nomination (though current members of the YWCA Cambridge Board of Directors and YWCA Cambridge employees are not eligible).  Nominees could be role models, agents for change, volunteers, mentors, teachers or innovators. A full list of eligibility requirements and a nomination form can be found here. The deadline for nominations is March 17, 2023.

The awards ceremony will take place at the beautiful Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa on June 14, 2023 and will once again be emceed by style icon Lynn Spence. Ticket sales will open early Spring.

Funds raised through ticket sales and sponsorship support community outreach, gender-based violence prevention programming, employment services and advocacy to end gender inequity and gender-based violence.

Mark your calendar now for Cambridge’s most celebrated women’s award ceremony!


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News Release

CAMBRIDGE, ON – YWCA Cambridge is thrilled to announce that Soroptimist International of Cambridge has joined Greentec as a matching partner for their fundraising campaign to support the opening of a new shelter for women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness in Cambridge. This partnership is vital to reaching the campaign goal of $125,000, which will cover the costs of fully furnishing and outfitting the shelter located in the lower level of Grace Bible Church, downtown Galt.

Local businesses have shown exceptional support for this initiative, with Greentec leading the way by matching every donation dollar for dollar up to $5,000. Their generosity inspired Soroptimist International of Cambridge to step forward with an additional $10,000 in matching donations.

“We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from the Cambridge and broader community,” said Kim Decker, CEO of YWCA Cambridge. “Having Soroptimist join Greentec as a matching partner is an incredible testament to how businesses and organizations are coming together to ensure that women and gender-diverse individuals in our community have a safe space to call home while they worked towards meeting their housing needs. Soroptimist’s commitment to this cause helps us bring this essential shelter to life, and we are thankful for their leadership and compassion.”

Soroptimist Club President Joni Gosselin spoke about the long-standing relationship between the organization and YWCA Cambridge, noting, “Soroptimist International of Cambridge has been in partnership with YWCA for many, many years. Our mission, to better the lives of women and gender-diverse individuals, starts here. Providing a safe roof over one’s head, a warm bed, a nourishing meal, and people who care is what we strive for. Our donation will help meet the basic needs of community members who have been living without them. People are often unaware of how many women are without homes, and we thank YWCA for their vision in making this essential dream a reality.”

Once open, YWCA Cambridge’s shelter will be the only one dedicated specifically to women and gender-diverse individuals in the region. The 20-bed shelter will operate 24/7, offering on-site services that address both mental and physical health needs, along with other therapeutic and culturally responsive services. This shelter aims to provide a safe, supportive space for individuals who are experiencing homelessness in the community.

The campaign will continue until the end of the year. To donate and support the shelter initiative, please visit www.ywcacambridge.ca.

For more information, contact Roz Gunn, Director of Communications and Advocacy at YWCA Cambridge, via email at r.gunn@ywcacambridge.ca.

About Soroptimist International of Cambridge:


Soroptimist believes in the power of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals to shape their own destinies when given the right support. Through their work in 120 countries, Soroptimists create opportunities for women and girls to rise above challenges and transform their lives.

About YWCA Cambridge:


For 75 years, YWCA Cambridge has been a leader in providing responsive programming and services that meet the evolving needs of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. As a member of YWCA Canada, YWCA Cambridge is part of the country’s oldest and largest multi-service women’s organization.