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“I don’t think I’d be doing what I love today if it weren’t for United Way... the only thing I can say is thank you.” - Sylvanna
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CHALLENGES OF GENDER IMBALANCE DURING COVID-19 |
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Women and girls face systemic barriers to inclusion and prosperity. As a result, they have higher rates of poverty and mental health challenges. |
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According to The Canadian Women's Foundation:
- Women with the same experience, socio-economic and demographic background earn approximately $7,200 less annually than their male counterparts
- The gender pay gap contributes to women’s poverty, health concerns, and barriers to leaving abusive relationships
While the pandemic is a trying time for everyone, there is an undeniable gender imbalance due to the effects of COVID-19. Without the success and inclusion of women and girls, our society is not equitable or fair. Together, we can work to prevent the cycle of gender imbalance in our community.
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Margaret Grice
Margaret recently retired from a role as Canadian Representative at Vistra Group based in Hong Kong. She has been involved in several non-profit organizations including Lighthouse for Grieving Children where she was Board Chair. The mother of two currently resides in Oakville, with her husband.
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Lisa Guimaraes
Lisa is a CPA, CA and Certified Financial Planner who focuses on insurance and estate planning solutions for her clients. Lisa become involved with WU last year as a committee member. She is passionate about raising awareness on issues that affect women globally and the idea of women supporting women locally.
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Led by Marge and Lisa, we have an outstanding committee of Women United volunteers across the communities of Halton & Hamilton who support fundraising, advocacy and awareness for our Women United program. We are thankful for the leadership of this dedicated and passionate group of volunteers who generously give their time and expertise to help address the most critical issues facing our Halton & Hamilton communities. |
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Did you know that nearly one in four women in Canada have struggled to buy period products, for themselves, or their children?
The pandemic has worsened period poverty for vulnerable populations, with more people having to choose between menstrual hygiene products and other essentials, like food. Learn more about UWHH’s Period Promise – taking action and providing products to those in need.
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Teams were encouraged to exercise for 266 minutes in support of local programs that help those most in need from September 24 to October 4. Women United team members came together and raised $4,000 for the event! Thank you for showing your local love.
With the support of participants from across community, Walk This Way has raised over $57,000 in total!
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Women United Speakers Series |
On September 22, 2021, we were joined by three outstanding female leaders from RBC Dominion Securities, Chantal McNeily, Mira Akl and Najia Crawford, to talk about moving from financial literacy to financial action.
Thank you to all who attended this important discussion, and to RBC Wealth Management for sponsoring!
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NEW: Women United Speakers Series
Monday, November 15 at 7:00 P.M.
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Join us on Monday, November 15, 2021,
from 7:00-8:00 P.M. for the Women United speaker series, OverDUE (Diversity, Unity and Equity) Redefining the Face of Philanthropy.
When women rally around a “call to action”, they create impactful change for everyone! We’re coming together with female leaders from TD; Jo-Anne Ryan, Anna Iacobelli and Alicia Rose, on who, what, why, when and how women are investing in society, culture and communities at an increasing rate.
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Women Fore Women: Golf Clinic with Far Samji in support of Women United
Friday, November 26
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Join Women United on Friday, November 26, 2021, for our Women Fore Women Golf Clinic at FarAway Greens. This is an exclusive opportunity to come together with like-minded, community-spirited women, and to learn from Far Samji and the Smashing Golf Team. Far is the 5-time Canadian Long Drive Champion and the creator of Smashing the Grass Ceiling. This clinic is limited to 20 women for each of the two sessions and includes lessons on driving, putting, chipping and woods. |
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National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
The annual Candlelight vigil for The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6 will take place in-person, pending provincial guidelines. The vigil will recognize and acknowledge the 14 lives lost in the 1989 massacre at École Polytechnique in Montreal. On this day, we honor the missing and murdered indigenous women of our country.
Look out for event details in your community!
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Woman Abuse Prevention Month
Approx. every 6 days, a woman in Canada is killed by her partner.
In Ontario, November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month. With your help, we can support young girls, female-led lone parent households, and survivors of violence recover from crisis, and empower women and girls for the future.
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“I went to school to be a medical office assistant, but I had trouble actually getting a job. Every time I saw one I was interested in, I’d be one of 500 applicants. I have good credentials and good skills, but there was just so much competition. I’m also Indigenous and that makes it harder too—I just felt like nobody wanted to give me a chance. I didn’t know what to do.
But a United Way-supported employment program for Indigenous women not only helped me get my dream job, but it also helped me build a community of other women who share my culture.
With the support of United Way, I applied for jobs every day for at least a year, and eventually all those mock interviews paid off. I now work in my dream job as a medical office assistant at a hospital network in my city. It’s not just a job; it’s a reminder that I am a good person, I deserve good things and I'm not going to give up. Those are lessons I couldn’t have learned without United Way.”
$25 = 10 sessions of group counselling support for 1 refugee woman who has lost a family member in war.
$100 = Transportation for 20 survivors of sexual violence to attend counselling services.
$1,200 = 53 hours of crisis counselling to survivors of violence.
$2,500 = A full day of motivation and leadership programming to 250 high school aged girls, including nonbinary and gender-fluid youth
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