Written by Community Social Services student Amrit (Emmy) Butter
This event was more than a celebration — it was a reminder of what becomes possible when women uplift one another. It reinforced the idea that leadership is not about standing above others, but about creating space for more voices to be heard."
March 8 marks International Women’s Day each year, a time to reflect on the resilience, leadership, and impact of women in our communities. At the GH Women of Distinction celebration at the University of Guelph-Humber, that reflection came to life. The room was filled with inspiring women whose work creates meaningful change on campus and beyond. Listening to their stories was a powerful reminder that progress rarely comes from one voice alone — it grows through community, mentorship, and the courage to uplift one another.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” invited reflection on generosity and community. Yet one truth stood out: women already give so much. They give their time, emotional labour, leadership, and care — often in ways that go unrecognized. The panel conversation expanded that idea, reminding us that giving must also include giving back to ourselves. Rest, boundaries, and self-compassion are not luxuries; they are necessary forms of care that allow women to continue leading, supporting others, and creating lasting change.
Being named one of the GH Women of Distinction was deeply meaningful to me. It was a moment that allowed me to pause and reflect on how far I’ve come — from navigating uncertainty to standing in a space that celebrates the impact women are making in their communities. This recognition felt both humbling and empowering. It reminded me that the experiences that shape us, even the difficult ones, can lead to meaningful work and connection with others. To be recognized alongside so many inspiring women was not only an honour, but also a reminder to continue showing up, growing, and contributing to the communities that have supported me along the way.
Being part of this community and pursuing the Community Social Services program at Guelph-Humber has always been rooted in one purpose: supporting my communities, and especially supporting women. My commitment to this work grew from witnessing just how much emotional labour women carry — within families, in academic spaces, in community leadership, and in everyday life. Women are often expected to remain resilient, productive, and supportive for everyone around them while navigating their own challenges quietly.
I’ve had the opportunity to listen to the stories of many women navigating mental health struggles, identity, and the pressure to succeed. They shared that they felt they had to minimize their pain to be taken seriously. Hearing those stories stayed with me. It reinforced something important: Advocacy is not just raising awareness — it’s creating environments where women don’t feel they must shrink themselves to belong.
That belief inspired me to create, Women Reclaiming Their Wellbeing, a workshop series centred on mental health, growth, and connection. I wanted a space where women could show up as whole people — ambitious and overwhelmed, strong and healing — without the pressure to be perfect. To me, mental health advocacy is about dignity. Women deserve support not because they’ve proven resilience or achieved extraordinary things, but simply because they are human.
Another message that resonated deeply at the GH Women of Distinction event was the power of collective success. Academia often rewards individual achievement, but real growth accelerates when people support one another. “Give to Gain” can mean shifting our mindset from competition to collaboration, from asking “How do I outperform?” to “How do we rise together?”
This can be as simple as sharing study resources rather than gatekeeping them, celebrating someone else’s success without measuring it against your own, or recommending a peer for an opportunity. These quiet gestures of generosity weave trust between people and, thread by thread, strengthen the communities we belong to.
Comparison creates division. Collaboration creates abundance.
This event was more than a celebration — it was a reminder of what becomes possible when women uplift one another. It reinforced the idea that leadership is not about standing above others, but about creating space for more voices to be heard.
As we celebrate women this month at Guelph-Humber and beyond, my message is simple: continue showing up for one another. Celebrate each other’s successes. Share opportunities. Create spaces where women can grow without shrinking themselves.
Because when women rise together, entire communities flourish.
Written by Community Social Services student Amrit (Emmy) Butter