FRONTLINES
WEST Recognizes Those Creating More Gender Equality, Diversity And Inclusion For All
Bridging North America (the private sector partner of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority), Bike Windsor Essex and Academy Truck Driving School were among the inspiring award winners honoured at Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor’s virtual International Women’s Day (IWD) Gala and Journey Towards Success Awards on March 8, 2022. Together with many local individuals, they were recognized for creating spaces that are welcoming and inclusive for all people, demonstrating a commitment to promoting gender equality and partnering to increase the inclusion of women in the community with Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor, Inc. (WEST; WestOfWindsor.com). Over 400 people, including executives and representatives from First Nations communities and organizations, corporations, small business, government, banking, industry, labour, and non-profit groups, tuned in to watch the IWD gala, which kicked off with a networking event on Zoom followed by the official program broadcast on YouTube. The gala opened with a beautiful rendition of the national anthem sung by Stephanie Lyanga and was co-hosted by a trio of women from WEST — Nadine Manroe-Wakerell, Vice President; Gemma Grey-Hall, Board Member, and Rose Anguiano Hurst, Executive Director.
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The evening featured musical performances and Keynote Speaker, Dr. Beverley Jacobs, Senior Adviser to the President on Indigenous Affairs & Outreach at the University of Windsor. “We were so pleased to see everyone come together at the gala to celebrate the differences individuals are making so that we can continue to live in a society where men and women with equal ability, education, and experience also have equal opportunities,” states Anguiano Hurst. “Each of us can make a difference and these awards are one way of inspiring each of us, no matter where we work, to do our part to work against the bias, discrimination and stereotypes.” The Journey to Success Awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations in Windsor Essex who support WEST. Congratulations to the following 2022 Journey Towards Success Award recipients in the category listed . . . Break the Bias Award: Bridging North America New Excellence in Partnership Award John Wigle, Bike Windsor Essex VIP Award — New Business Partner Academy Truck Driving School Phenomenal Women Award Evon Karayan, WEST participant Innovation Award Priya Chana, WEST participant
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Diversity Equity and Inclusion Award Bonnie Douglas, Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology Sisterhood Award: Sungee John, Essex County Chinese Canadian Association Perseverance Award: Dr. Tariq Ali Khan, Advanced Urgent Dental Youth Community Leadership Award Fatima Al Hakim, WEST participant Allyship Award: Justin Falconer, Workforce WindsorEssex Influencer Award: Marium Tolson-Murtty, University of Windsor Visionary Award: Susan Taylor, St. Clair College, Genesis Daphne V. Clarke Trailblazer Award Maryan Amalow, University of Windsor Award sponsors included: St. Clair College, WFCU Credit Union, TD Bank Group, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre/ Invest WindsorEssex, Odette School of Business, Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd., Erie Shores HealthCare, CPA Ontario, Windsor Regional Hospital, Champion Products, CTV/Bell Media, Windsor Star, AM 800 CKLW and Biz X magazine. WEST expresses its gratitude for IWD sponsors’ generosity, silent auction contributors, St. Clair College (gala sponsor) and WFCU Credit Union (title sponsor) its partners, friends and donors.
