On November 21, women from around Ontario came together to participate in a rich discussion and listen to distinguished women share their stories in an effort to support and empower girls’ leadership. The event was hosted by Lakefield College School and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, with the goal of highlighting the achievements of, and challenges facing women in Ontario.

As a response to the Sustainable Development Goals provided by the United Nations Foundation, the event brought together members of the community as panelists to speak to their areas of expertise such as health and well-being, peace, justice, environmental responsibility, poverty, and quality education. Honoured to speak on behalf of quality education were the dean of education, Dr. Cathy Bruce and alumna and M.Ed. student Teresa Laton.

“I was thrilled to be part of the Trailblazers and Pathmakers event,” said Ms. Laton. “It provided me with the opportunity to share my personal story of learning and living with a hearing impairment. As someone who was told they would never make it in an academic leveled classroom let alone be accepted to the university, I hope that my story encouraged the young women in attendance to persevere in the face of adversity.”

Trent University was well represented at the event, which brought much pride to School of Education dean Professor Bruce. “To be in a room with 100 beautiful, thoughtful, courageous and powerful women was energizing,” she said. “I was so proud to see the impact that Trent University has had on many of the participants at the event – from alumna like Brianna Salmon and Joelle Favreau to students like Melody Haeri from the School of Nursing and Teresa Laton from the School of Education. Trent has had an important influence in the shaping of women’s lives.”