OTTAWA - The Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), today attended a reception organized by the Ottawa-based Black Women's Civic Engagement Network (BWCEN) to honour Canadian women who play leading civic roles.
At Ottawa City Hall, Minister Guergis congratulated the two award recipients, The Honourable Jean Augustine and Ms. Paulette Senior, and paid tribute to Canadian pioneers like Governor General Michaëlle Jean and Rosemary Brown.
"Here in Canada, we have made remarkable progress in advancing the status of women overall. Women have made great strides in education, employment and political participation. Women are leaders in public institutions and in corporate Canada," Minister Guergis said. "Today, we have come together to honour the women who continue to work for equality. While there is still progress to be made, our Government recognizes this and we are committed to taking action."
The Black Women's Civic Engagement Network honoured two outstanding Canadian women with awards in two categories:
- The Honourable Jean Augustine received the BWCEN Leadership Award, in recognition of a leadership role by a Canadian woman whose influence and achievement convey a legacy of success for Black Canadian women, and help enrich the standard of success for women in all spheres of society. Ms. Augustine has dedicated years of selfless service - as an educator and school principal; in successive terms as a Member of Parliament, including serving as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women; and in her current role as Ontario's first-ever Fairness Commissioner. The first Black woman elected to Canada's Parliament and to hold a federal cabinet post, Ms. Augustine's lifelong commitment to empowering individuals toward better lives and social change is truly remarkable.
- Ms. Paulette Senior received the BWCEN Champion Award in recognition of her work in advancing the status of women. Her tireless commitment to excellence, professionalism and service have made a profound difference in the lives of Black women. Ms. Senior's years of public service include her role as an outreach worker supporting isolated women in low-income neighbourhoods, her service as Executive Director of the women's shelter Yellow Brick House and her current role as the chief executive officer of YWCA Canada, the nation's oldest and largest multi-service organization for women. Ms. Senior's grassroots advocacy, visionary planning and social activism are helping to build stronger communities across the country.
The BWCEN is an Ottawa-based network of professionals, academics and entrepreneurs working to celebrate and create greater awareness about the contributions of women to Canadian civil society.
Status of Women Canada is the federal government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Nanci Bishay
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women)
819-956-4000
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839
