BPW Canada Commendations
Recognizing individuals, organizations and governments whose
leadership, advocacy and achievements advance equality for women
and girls.
What Is a BPW Commendation?
A BPW Canada Commendation is a formal recognition approved by
members at a National Annual General Meeting or Convention.
Commendations acknowledge individuals, organizations, institutions
and governments whose leadership, advocacy or achievements have
made a meaningful contribution to advancing equality, human rights
and opportunities for women and girls.
Recipients reflect the diversity of issues championed by BPW
Canada, including education, economic empowerment, health,
violence prevention, Indigenous rights, political leadership,
pay equity, childcare and human rights.
How Commendations Are Approved
1
A Contribution Is Identified
An individual, organization or institution demonstrates
meaningful leadership, advocacy or achievement.
2
Members Approve the Commendation
The proposed commendation is considered and approved by
delegates at a National AGM or Convention.
3
BPW Canada Recognizes the Recipient
The recipient’s contribution is formally acknowledged and
recorded as part of BPW Canada’s advocacy history.
Recent Commendations
Commendations approved at recent BPW Canada Annual General
Meetings and Conventions.
2024 Commendations
National AGM · Moncton, New Brunswick
Child Care Now
BPW Canada commends Child Care Now for its unwavering
advocacy and commitment to affordable, accessible,
inclusive and high-quality childcare, advancing human
rights for children, women and families in all their
diversity.
Dr. Martha Paynter
BPW Canada commends Dr. Martha Paynter for her past,
current and forthcoming work in reproductive health,
reproductive rights and reproductive justice for all
women in Canada.
Government of Canada
BPW Canada commends the Government of Canada for its
historic contribution to establishing a national early
learning and child care system, advancing the social
and economic rights of women, children and their
families.
My Voice My Choice
BPW Canada commends the victim-complainants of
My Voice My Choice for their dedication in
pursuing changes to section 486.4 of the Criminal Code
of Canada and participating in the development of
Bill S-12.
These changes allow victims of sexual assault to have
a voice and choice regarding the use of a publication
ban on their name in a sexual assault trial.
2023 Commendations
Virtual National Convention
Lisa LaFlamme
BPW Canada acknowledges and commends Lisa LaFlamme for
her remarkable leadership and mentorship; for informing,
educating and empowering others; and for her dedication
to creating positive change in the areas of equality,
democracy and humanity, especially for women and girls.
Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne
BPW Canada acknowledges and commends Senator Julie
Miville-Dechêne for her commitment and dedication to
the protection of Canadian children.
2021 Commendations
Virtual National Convention
Dr. Theresa Tam
BPW Canada acknowledges and commends Dr. Theresa Tam for
her leadership in guiding Canadians through the COVID-19
pandemic, keeping the public informed as the pandemic
progressed and the science evolved, as well as her work
with provincial health officers on the mass immunization
program.
Equal Voice
BPW Canada acknowledges and commends Equal Voice for its
three initiatives: the Getting to the Gate Guidebook,
the Daughters of the Vote program and the Gender-Sensitive
Legislature Report.
Chief Commissioner Marie-Claude Landry
BPW Canada commends Chief Commissioner Marie-Claude
Landry for her humanitarian work, compassion and
perseverance in denouncing systemic racism and
discrimination and advocating for the human rights of
women and diverse communities.
2020 Commendation
Virtual National Convention
Senator Yvonne Boyer
BPW Canada acknowledges and commends the groundbreaking work
of Senator Yvonne Boyer in bringing awareness to the coerced
and forced sterilization of Indigenous women in Canada,
educating government, health professionals and Indigenous
women, and working to abolish this practice.
View Historical Commendations: 2005–2019
Expand a year below to explore earlier commendations approved by
BPW Canada members.
2019 Commendations
Approved at the National AGM in Montreal, Quebec.
-
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
of Canada
BPW Canada commends the Council for funding the
Engendering Success in STEM Consortium, which works
toward eliminating implicit gender biases that create
barriers for women pursuing careers in STEM.
-
Government of Canada and the 2019 Women Deliver
Conference
BPW Canada commends the Government of Canada for its
internationally recognized work on gender equality,
as reflected in Women Deliver selecting Vancouver to
host its 2019 conference.
2018 Commendations
Approved at the National Convention in Ottawa, Ontario.
-
City of Selkirk and Mayor Larry Johannson
Commended for their continued support for women’s full
participation and for annually proclaiming March 18 as
Equal Pay Day in Selkirk, Manitoba.
-
Malala Yousafzai
Commended for her courage and continuing efforts to
advocate and raise funds for girls’ education
throughout the world.
-
Government of Canada, Department of Finance Canada
Commended for addressing gender equality, pay equity,
economic issues and health concerns affecting women
in the February 27, 2018 federal budget.
-
Government of Canada
Commended for speaking in support of human rights and
women’s rights in its communications regarding the
actions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
2017 Commendation
Approved at the National AGM in Greater Moncton,
New Brunswick.
-
Cities of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Edmonton,
Alberta
BPW Canada commends both cities for joining the United
Nations Women’s Global Flagship Initiative,
“Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces,” and demonstrating
leadership in addressing sexual violence against women
and girls.
2016 Commendations
Approved at the 2016 BPW Canada Convention.
-
Canadian Football League
Commended for its historic policy on violence against
women and its ongoing work educating members about
prevention.
-
Government of Canada
Commended for appointing a gender-balanced Cabinet.
-
Ministers responsible for Indigenous affairs,
justice and the status of women
Commended for confirming a national inquiry following
a respectful consultation process with families
affected by missing and murdered Indigenous women and
girls.
-
Government of Canada
Commended for its commitment to reduce the gender wage
gap and work with stakeholders toward a National Equal
Pay Day.
-
Bank of Montreal
Commended for launching a Women in Leadership
investment fund supporting companies that advance
women in business.
-
Global Affairs Canada
Commended for hosting the UN Secretary-General’s
High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment and
supporting international resources for women’s
economic empowerment.
2015 Commendations
Approved at the 2015 BPW Canada AGM.
-
Crystal Sissons
Commended for publishing
Queen of the Hurricanes: The Fearless Elsie
MacGill and encouraging girls and young women to
enter STEM careers.
-
Advisory Council on Women Entrepreneurs and
Business Leaders
Commended for creating a forum for mentorship,
best-practice sharing and solutions to help women
start and grow businesses.
-
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Commended for funding the Women’s Economic Empowerment
Knowledge Gateway.
-
Thérèse Casgrain Foundation
Commended for its continuing work for the advancement
of women.
-
Advisory Council for Promoting Women on Boards
Commended for promoting the goal of women holding
30 percent of board positions and providing a roadmap
for achieving it.
2014 Commendation
Approved at the National Convention in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan.
-
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
BPW Canada commends the Federation and its Standing
Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in
Municipal Government for working toward women holding
30 percent of municipal council positions by 2026.
2013 Commendation
Approved at the virtual BPW Canada AGM.
-
Alaina Podmorrow and Little Women for Little Women
in Afghanistan
Commended for raising awareness of human rights abuses
against girls in Afghanistan and raising significant
funds for teachers and educational supplies.
2012 Commendations
Approved at the BPW Canada Convention in London, Ontario.
-
The Body Shop
Commended for a campaign and petition calling on the
Government of Canada to help stop sex trafficking and
support a national action plan.
-
Sally Armstrong
Commended for bringing attention to the conditions
faced by women and children in Afghanistan and
internationally.
-
Minister Vic Toews and Minister Rona Ambrose
Commended for their efforts in launching the National
Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.
2011 Commendations
Approved at the BPW Canada AGM in Ottawa, Ontario.
-
Ontario Pay Equity Commission
Commended for its work addressing the wage gap and
for its partnership with BPW Ontario on the
“You Are Worth It” learning module.
-
Timea E. Nagy and Walk With Me
Commended for raising awareness of human trafficking
and providing counselling, training and education.
-
Joy Smith, Member of Parliament
Commended for her continuing advocacy on behalf of
women and girls affected by human trafficking.
2008 Commendation
-
Louise Arbour
The former United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights was commended for her lifelong advocacy for
human rights and full gender equality and for
expanding the United Nations’ human rights presence.
2007 Commendation
-
Grand Master Tae Eun Lee
Commended for supporting the development of strong
and healthy spirits, minds and bodies through women’s
self-defence classes in Ottawa, and for building
women’s confidence in their safety and well-being.
2006 Commendations
Approved at the 2006 National Convention.
-
Canadian Women’s Foundation
Commended for launching an Investment Fund for Girls
and for investing in the power of women and the dreams
of girls.
-
Stephen Lewis
Commended for advocating for the creation of a new
United Nations agency that would give a greater voice
to women around the world.
-
Canadian Women’s Hockey Team
Commended for representing Canada with determination,
honour and skill and for serving as role models for
girls and young women.
2005 Commendation
-
Dove Canada
Commended for supporting organizations addressing
eating disorders and for encouraging positive
self-esteem among women and girls through its
Campaign for Real Beauty.
Continue Exploring BPW Canada Advocacy
Learn how BPW Canada turns member-approved policy into education,
engagement and government advocacy.
