On March 3rd, 2023, the GNCC will hold its 22nd annual International Women’s Day event, co-presented by Niagara Economic Development and PenFinancial Credit Union. As in 2022, the event will be in-person.
Every year, the GNCC honours and celebrates the extraordinary contributions of one woman, and this year, the International Women’s Day award will be presented to Michele-Elise Burnett, Naawii Cappo, Métis of Ontario citizen with Algonquin roots, Bear Clan, President of Kakekalanicks, an Indigenous arts and consultancy company which helps promote and educate Indigenous art and artists to a broad audience. Ms. Burnett is the president of Landscape of Nations 360°, a unique national Indigenous education and tourism initiative, Artpark’s Indigenous Producer of Arts, and the Artistic Producer of Artpark’s Annual Strawberry Moon Festival, all providing a far-reaching platform for the community to embrace and honour the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of Indigenous peoples.
This year’s theme is Embrace Equity, and featured guests and speakers include Dr. Kate Bezanson, currently serving as a special advisor on gender, rights, and social, economic and legal issues to the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, and on leave as Professor, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences, and faculty affiliate with the Social Justice and Equity Studies program at Brock University.
Also featured are Dr. Tapo Chimbganda, the founder of Future Black Female, a non-profit organization that works to empower Black girls and women between the ages of 16 and 22 to take charge of their education and career paths as well as their social, political, and civic engagement; Trecia McLennon, MBA, the Director of EDI Culture and Education at Brock University and founder of Culturiousity, focused on cultivating cultural competence domestically and globally; and Dr. Samah Sabra, workplace equity, diversity and inclusion manager at Niagara College.
The GNCC will collect donations for a silent auction that will be taking place at this event. Proceeds from the silent auction will go towards a bursary to send a woman in Niagara to the Accelerate Civic Leadership program through Leadership Niagara. Thanks to the support of Niagara Casinos, the event will also feature a vendor marketplace showcasing local businesses where guests can browse and shop.
Tickets can be purchased here.
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in Niagara and the third-largest Chamber of Commerce in Ontario, with 1,600 members representing 50,000 employees. More information on the GNCC is available at gncc.ca.
Contact:
Mishka Balsom, CEO, GNCC
Mishka@gncc.ca or 905-684-2361
