Celebrating Local Women
The publishing of Celebrating Women magazine alongside our International Women’s Day celebration always provides Family Transition Place (FTP) with the privilege and opportunity to reflect on the remarkable women who surround us. The women who support us, who support other women and their families, who volunteer their time and expertise—women who fiercely believe in our Mission and Vision and who deeply recognize the importance of celebrating women—not just on International Women’s Day—but every day.
While there is simply no shortage of extraordinary women to honour and celebrate in this community, we are pleased to share the perspectives and experiences of a select few. Our 2026 Celebrating Women magazine features a number of the answers to a series of reflective questions from these incredible women. The full responses can be found below.
- Why is it important that we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD)?
Personally, I think it’s important to celebrate women because of the resilience we carry every day. We navigate different expectations, challenges, and responsibilities, yet we continue to show up, grow, and support the people around us. International Women’s Day is a reminder to honour that strength, challenge outdated perceptions, and recognize that women are capable of far more than the limits often placed on them. - If you could celebrate just one woman, or group of women on IWD, who would that be? Why?
If I could celebrate one group of women on International Women’s Day, I would celebrate women who have endured abuse. It’s something that isn’t talked about enough, and it takes incredible courage to live through those situations, let alone leave them. Every story is different, and it’s rarely as simple as “just walking away.” I admire the strength of women who keep going, even when they’re carrying so much behind the scenes. To any woman in that situation, I hope you know how strong you truly are. - What/who are you most proud of? Why?
I’m most proud of the woman I’m becoming. Life hasn’t always been easy, and I didn’t grow up with the strongest foundation, but I refuse to let that define me. I’m learning to love myself enough to grow into who I want to be. It’s still scary sometimes, but I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and I think my younger self would be proud. - Is there a particular woman that inspires you?
If I had to narrow it down, I’d say my boss, Diana, and my aunt. They both lead with authenticity and kindness. They aren’t afraid to be themselves, they continue to learn and grow, and they lift others up along the way. These women remind me that strength doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. - If you were speaking to a group of young women, what would you want them to know?
When I think about my younger self, I realize how much I wished someone told me this: you don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. Growth comes from trying, learning, and sometimes failing, and that’s okay. Trust yourself, take up space, and remember that your voice matters. You get to define success in your own way.
- Why is it important that we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD)?
International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a responsibility. It gives us the opportunity to recognize the progress women have made while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead. It is a moment to amplify voices, share stories of resilience and achievement, and ensure that the contributions of women—past and present—are seen, valued, and remembered.
IWD honours those who challenged barriers, reshaped systems, and created opportunities where they hadn’t existed before. It recognizes those continuing that work today and calls us to sustain that momentum: to advocate, to mentor, to open doors, and to keep pushing for progress.
It calls us to gather intentionally, to recognize and celebrate the women who stand beside us, support us, and lift one another up. These connections sustain us, strengthen us, and remind us that progress is made collectively through shared experience, encouragement, and solidarity. It empowers each of us to have a role in advancing equity, fostering inclusion, and creating environments where women can stand confidently, contribute fully, and thrive without limitation.
It is not only about reflection; it is about action. It is a reminder to shine unapologetically, to take up space, and to celebrate the strength, complexity, and beauty of womanhood in all its forms—together. - If you could celebrate just one woman, or group of women on IWD, who would that be? Why?
I would celebrate the women who have stepped into male-dominated industries—especially those in the skilled trades. These are the women who choose to take up space where they were not always welcomed, who remain steadfast in their convictions and, in doing so, make it easier for the next generation to walk in with confidence.
As a female carpenter who has faced adversity—from job sites to something as simple as walking down a hardware store aisle—I know firsthand that answering this calling requires tenacity, resilience, and grit. These women are not just building structures; they are building pathways. With every project completed, every tool lifted, and every boundary pushed, they are creating equity in real time.
I celebrate their courage, their skill, and their refusal to shrink. They are changing workplaces, communities, and the future landscape for all women. - Is there a particular woman that inspires you?
Yes—my mother.
She has always inspired me with her strength of conviction, her unwavering sense of self, and the depth of her love. She immigrated from Hong Kong to build a life in Canada, not only for herself but for her family. Through determination, hard work, and faith, she created a beautiful life from the ground up.
What inspires me most is her spirit. She approaches life fully and fearlessly—from spelunking through caves to paragliding, from laughter at the playground to long conversations around the dinner table. She embodies the idea that strength and softness can coexist, that you can be fiercely determined while still leading with love.
She raised a strong, connected family who support one another through every adventure. She feeds anyone who comes to her table, gives her time generously, and shows us daily what it means to fight for something, to persevere, and to build a meaningful life. She is, in so many ways, everything I aspire to be. - If you were speaking to a group of young women, what would you want them to know?
One of my greatest joys is teaching in the Theatre department at York University, where my students are primarily female-identifying. The current show has 15 women working in the shop with me. Having a platform to tell them—and show them—that there is space for them in this industry is something I do not take lightly.
I want them to know they belong in every space, regardless of who occupies it now. They should not fear new environments, big ideas, or bold ambitions. They are allowed to take risks, trust themselves, and celebrate their abilities wherever they go.
I want them to understand that they are capable of hard things. The journey will not always be easy, but it will always be worth it. They do not have to accept environments that make them feel small, unsafe, or unheard. Their safety matters. Their voices matter. Their contributions matter. And they are never alone—there will always be someone standing beside them as they find their footing and their strength.
Most importantly, I want them to know that space has been created for them, and they are meant to stand fully and confidently in it for as long as they choose.
- Why is it important that we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD)?
I think it’s so important because women do so much — at home, in business, in their communities — and a lot of it goes unseen. IWD is a reminder to pause and recognize the strength, resilience, and sacrifices women make every single day. It’s also about showing young girls what’s possible. When we celebrate women, we give permission for more women to step into their power. - If you could celebrate just one woman, or group of women on IWD, who would that be? Why?
Moms. Especially the ones building something while raising babies. I know firsthand how hard it is to grow a business and grow a family at the same time. It takes patience, sacrifice, late nights, and a lot of faith. Those women are exhausted but still showing up — and that deserves to be celebrated. - What/who are you most proud of? Why?
Honestly, I’m most proud of the woman I’ve become. I didn’t take the traditional path people expected of me, and for a while that felt scary. But choosing something that fulfilled me — especially after becoming a mom — changed my life. I’m proud that I trusted myself enough to build something from the ground up and create a space where women feel confident and cared for. - Is there a particular woman that inspires you?
My mom inspires me. The way she showed up for our family, the sacrifices she made, and the strength she carried quietly — that stays with me. As I raise my own boys and run my business, I understand her more and more. That kind of love and resilience is powerful. - If you were speaking to a group of young women, what would you want them to know?
You don’t have to follow the path everyone else expects of you. It’s okay to pivot. It’s okay to change your mind. And it’s more than okay to choose happiness over approval. Trust your gut. Build something you’re proud of. And never shrink yourself to make other people comfortable.