Toronto, ON: Dancing Damsels Inc. – a Toronto based federally incorporated not for profit organization that promotes Multiculturalism, Community Development and Empowerment through the performing arts, celebrated the Toronto International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 on Sunday March 07th with the grand IWD Women Achiever Awards ceremony.
Due to the pandemic restrictions these celebrations were held this year on a digital platform in the presence of dignitaries and women influencers from different walks of life.
The IWD ceremony was inaugurated by Chief Guest Madame Hazel McCallion, past Mayor of Mississauga. She shared her experience and struggles as abusinesswoman and political leader in her inaugural address. She attributed her success to the advice her mother gave her. “Don’t do just what you are assigned to do. It’s that little extra that you do that makes the difference”.
Doug Ford (Premier of Ontario), Bill Blair (Minister of Public Safety), Salma Zahid M.P, John Tory (Mayor, Toronto), Doly Begum MPP and Nick Mantas (Councillor) sent greetings on this occasion.
Eye catching dance performances by Saswathi Sahoo and the MCAO added colour to the evening’s proceedings.
Dr. Vasundara Venkateswaran, an award- winning researcher, delivered the keynote speech. Her motivational speech for upcoming women entrepreneurs and young girls was the highlight of the evening.
Vaishali Panwar – Performing Arts / Dance, Vaidehi Raut – Community Leadership, Sulochana Krishnamurthy – Volunteer Service, Dr. Marjorie Dixon – Healthcare, Doina Oncel – Science & Technology, Jeannette Chau – Community Service, Paola Gomez – Leadership in Arts, Annie Koshy – Media & Communications and Dilesha Stelmach – Rising Star. – were the award recipients this year.
Hon. Dr. Asha Seth, the first Indo-Canadian female Senator, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Lata Pada who is also the recipient of the Order of Canada, the highest honor given to any Canadian Citizen. The award ceremony was inaugurated by Councillor Cynthia Lai Ward 23.
Chennai Caters, KanCan Immigration Services, Menon Law Professional Corporation and Ambika Jewellers were the sponsors of the event. Canadian Multicultural Network (CMN) provided the digital support for this virtual event.
Report by: Soni Marcus
