Nominations Open for 30th Anniversary Women of Distinction Awards

Jan 23, 2024 | Blog, Women of Distinction

Nominations have officially opened for the prestigious YWCA Cambridge Women of Distinction Awards.

This year marks the event’s 30th anniversary of celebrating inspiring local women and changemakers.

As with last year, YWCA Cambridge has changed the awards criteria in effort to be more inclusive of the many ways – big and small – women and gender diverse individuals are advancing positive change. Rather than individual award categories, all nominations will be entered into the same pool and will be adjudicated by an external nominations committee who will select four recipients. There will be three special categories in addition to the four Women of Distinction awards: Young Trailblazer, Lifetime achievement, and a third category, the President’s Award, which will be selected by YWCA Cambridge board and staff members from the entire nomination pool.

The Women of Distinction awards recognize individuals for their strengths, achievements and contributions to the broader community. 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.  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 31, 2024.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Whistle Bear Golf Club on June 12, 2024.  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.

For more information: Nataleigh Ballantyne, N.Ballantyne@ywcacambridge.ca.

2023 Women of Distinction Award recipients

The 2023 Women of Distinction Awards recipients gather for a photo on the lawn at Langdon Hall Country House & Spa. Left to right: Joe-Ann McComb (Lifetime Achievement), Maria Empringham (WOD), Stephanie Pearsall (WOD), Rebecca Dickinson (WOD), Rana Mohammad (President’s Award), Elli Hook (WOD), Olivia Bluhm (Young Trailblazer). Absent: Shupi Mapuranga (WOD). Photo by Die Una Photography

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.