Do you want to know about the most inspiring women in Canada? If yes, you are in the right place. Check out this post for a list of the top 15 Canadian women!
Canada has an incredible history of inspiring women who have made significant contributions to make the country a better and healthier place for living. The Canadian women we will discuss in today’s post are role models for young women who want to achieve success in their lives and make a global impact. Read on!
1. Samantha Nutt
Samantha Nutt is a medical doctor known for “War Child,” a non-profit organization she founded to raise human rights awareness worldwide. Nutt has made significant efforts for more than two decades to play her role in mitigating humanitarian crises.
As a Canadian, she is always on the front line to help people without worrying about her life. She has served in various war-torn countries, including Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, making her an inspirational woman of valiance, courage, and dare.
2. Viola Desmond
Viola Desmond was a woman of many talents and skills. Even today, women take inspiration from Desmond’s leadership style and contribution toward the betterment of the female image in society. Desmond encouraged women to run successful businesses, but she also equipped them with extensive knowledge to remain respectable in the community.
Desmond is an inspiration for black women because she helped them learn the art and science of improving self-esteem and being proud of their appearance. In addition, she established the foundation of black women’s rights in North America.
3. Joannie Rochette
Joannie Rochette is a former figure stacker who won a silver medal at World Championships in 2009. She remained champion for six years between 2005 and 2010. Rochette is a motivational figure for many Canadian women, and everyone remembers her incredible victory in the 2010 Olympic Games despite the sudden death of her mother.
4. Attiya Khan
Attiya Khan is a filmmaker and feminist who lives in Toronto, Canada. Khan is an inspiration for young Canadian ladies, especially victims of emotionally and domestically abused women. Khan is a counselor for abused women and a strong advocate for women’s rights in Canada. Besides, Khan’s mission is to encourage abuse victims to stand for their rights.
5. Mary Ann Shadd
Mary Ann Shadd was the first black Canadian woman who started a newspaper company. Shadd was a committed and brave lady who stood against racism and ethnic violence in North America.
Shadd was the second black woman who earned a law degree and established the “Colored Woman’s Progressive Franchise Association” to fight for black women in 1880. Besides, Shadd opened a school for African refugees to promote education among the black community.
6. Deepa Mehta
Deepa Mehta is a screenwriter and director famous for her sensational work in the film industry. Mehta’s unique direction style in producing provocative movies inspires young Canadians who want to thrive in the movie industry.
Mehta has directed some blockbuster movies on human rights, inequality, and social injustice. The Water (2005), Earth (1998), and Fire (1996) are worth watching for viewers and people who want to learn the science of film production.
7. Buffy Sainte-Marie
Buffy Sainte-Marie is an inspirational singer and songwriter. Sainte-Marie played a crucial role in the Toronto and Greenwich Village music revivals in the 60s. The “Universal Soldier,” the anti-war anthem released in 1964, made her an inspiration and figure of encouragement for thousands of Canadians who want to promote peace, love, and harmony. The government inducted Sainte-Marie into the Songwriter Hall of Fame in 2005.
8. Winnie Harlow
Winnie Harlow is an advocate for people suffering from vitiligo, a skin condition characterized by loss of skin color in patches. Harlow is one of Canada’s most successful models despite suffering the illness. Harlow’s mission is to eliminate the stigma around vitiligo and encourage young women to achieve their dreams without falling victims to body shaming or skin conditions.
9. Kristina Wong
Kristina Wong is a Canadian comedienne and is famous for her incredible theater performance. Wong is also an actor and performance artist with numerous achievements. One thing that makes her an inspiration for young Canadians is feminism.
Wong has made significant efforts to promote equal rights for women through her work. Wong primarily focuses on issues like racism, ethnicity, body shaming, and white privilege in North America.
10. Connie Stacey
Connie Stacey is an environmentalist who founded Growing Greener Innovations, an award-winning company with a mission to promote sustainability in Canada. The Edmonton-based technology company under the leadership of Connie Stacey has made valuable contributions to make Canada a greener place with clean energy production.
11. Bobbie Racette
Bobbie Racette is the founder and CEO of a service solution platform “Virtual Guru.” The company offers outsourcing services, remote assistance, and freelancers to businesses across Canada and other countries. Racette’s incredible approach allows businesses to find the right talent for their operations. So, she is indeed an inspiration for young entrepreneurs who want to thrive in the technology outsourcing sector.
12. Nelly Bassily
Nelly Bassily is well-known for her extraordinary efforts toward achieving equal rights for women in North America. Bassily has been a feminist and anti-racism activist for more than twelve years and runs an activism program for women’s rights in Canada.
13. Lori Nikkel
Lori Nikkel is the founder and SEO of Canada’s largest food rescue organization, known as the “Second Harvest.” Nikkel has worked diligently to establish a successful organization to help low-income families in Canada. The company’s mission is to mitigate the harmful effects of Covid-19 on the Canadian people by rescuing and redistributing food across Canada.
14. Dr. Lucy Gilbert
Dr. Lucy Gilbert is a renowned scientist and researcher known for inventing a cutting-edge uterine Pap test based on genomics that detects endometrial and ovarian cancers. Gilbert’s efforts toward the field of genomics and development of DOvEEgene, a test that can distinguish between cancer cells in menopausal women, is a life-saving contribution to humanity.
15. Hayley Wickenheiser
Hayley Wickenheiser is a former ice-hockey player with an illustrious career. Wickenheiser’s exceptional talent, zeal, and spirit on the field made her won various titles, including championships and Olympic medals. Today, she works diligently to promote healthy and active lifestyles to improve people’s overall wellbeing.
Final Words
Canadian women play a crucial role in the development and prosperity of the country. Throughout the years, women in Canada have made significant contributions and achievements in various walks of life. Until Next Time!
- Article based on personal opinion and research.
- Photos from Unsplash & Canva.