Empowering women today creates a just and equitable tomorrow for all,” said Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South, as she joined the Zonta Club of Brampton-Caledon to host its annual International Women’s Day Breakfast today at the Bramalea Lions Hall. “Events like this remind us of the urgent need to accelerate action on issues like financial independence, mental health, and ending gender-based violence—challenges that women in Brampton and across Canada face every day.”
The event brought together community leaders, advocates, and residents to celebrate women’s achievements and spark critical conversations about the barriers women continue to face. With this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” the breakfast assessed the post-pandemic status of women, focusing on key areas such as finance, gender-based violence, and mental health.
Sonia Sidhu, a long-standing advocate for women’s rights and health equity, played a pivotal role in the event. As a special guest and speaker, she delivered opening remarks that underscored her commitment to advancing gender equality, drawing from her extensive experience as a healthcare professional and parliamentarian. Sidhu, who has served as MP for Brampton South since 2015, highlighted her legislative efforts, including her work on the National Framework for Diabetes Act and her vocal support for women’s issues in Parliament. She also engaged directly with attendees, emphasizing the importance of community-driven solutions.
“I’m proud to stand with the Zonta Club of Brampton-Caledon, an organization that has been a beacon for women’s empowerment for over 50 years,” Sidhu added. “Together, we can build a Brampton where every woman has the tools to thrive—financially, emotionally, and physically.”
The event featured an expert panel discussion moderated by Marilyn Pryce-Samuels, a dedicated social worker at the Honeychurch Family Life Resource Center. The panelists included:
- Amanda Graham-Rowe, Executive Financial Consultant at IG Wealth Management, who shared strategies for women’s financial empowerment in a post-pandemic economy.
- Andrine Johnson, CEO of EMBRAVE, who outlined actionable solutions to combat gender-based violence, a cause close to Sidhu’s heart given her past support for organizations like Embrave and the Safe Centre of Peel.
- Suchira Banerjee, Director of Clinical Programs at Catholic Family Services, who emphasized the critical need for accessible mental health resources for women.
The breakfast fostered meaningful dialogue, encouraging attendees to envision collaborative paths toward gender equity. Sidhu actively participated in the panel Q&A, connecting her federal advocacy—such as her efforts to improve long-term care standards and promote active living—to the local issues raised by the panelists.
The Zonta Club of Brampton-Caledon, marking its 50th year of service, continues its mission to empower women and girls through initiatives like Z Clubs in local high schools, Golden Z Clubs in post-secondary institutions, and awards recognizing young women in public affairs. This event underscored the club’s enduring commitment to making a difference locally and globally.