Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day serves as a global reminder to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women across all walks of life.
It is a day that not only highlights the remarkable contributions of women in shaping our societies but also calls for continued efforts to accelerate gender equality.
As Meghan Markle once said, “Women make up more than half of the world’s population and potential, so it is neither just nor practical for their voices, for our voices, to go unheard at the highest levels of decision-making.”
Today, we honour those voices.
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Catherine McKenna: Champion for climate action
Catherine McKenna has never been one to shy away from a challenge, especially when it comes to the climate crisis.
As Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change from 2015 to 2019, she played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s environmental policies, ensuring Canada had a strong voice on the global stage. One of her biggest accomplishments was helping to negotiate the 2015 Paris Agreement, solidifying Canada’s commitment to climate action. But her work didn’t stop at words—she was instrumental in putting those commitments into action.
Under her leadership, Canada introduced its first-ever national climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change—a bold step that laid the foundation for real progress. After leaving politics, Catherine McKenna founded Climate and Nature Solutions, an advisory firm dedicated to scaling practical climate and nature-based initiatives in collaboration with governments, corporations, foundations and universities.
Her commitment to sustainability remains as strong as ever, now with a focus on urban infrastructure and building greener, more resilient cities.
McKenna understands that change isn’t just about policy—it’s about people.
As she reflects: “It’s important—today and every day—to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women and girls around the world. Before I was elected, I took my younger daughter to watch Question Period in Parliament. She looked around the room and asked me, ‘Why are there so many men?’
"That question stuck with me, and it’s one of the reasons I got into politics. Because if we want real change—on climate, on equality, on the future we’re building—we need more women at the table, leading the conversations and driving the solutions.”
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Autumn Peltier: A voice for water rights
Autumn Peltier is proof that you don’t need decades of experience or a fancy title to spark real change—you just need unwavering passion and a voice that refuses to be ignored. From a young age, she understood the sacredness of water, not just as a resource but as a life-giving force that connects all living beings.
Growing up in Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, she witnessed firsthand the water crises devastating Indigenous communities across Canada. Instead of accepting it as just another injustice, she turned her frustration into action.
By the time most kids were focused on school projects, Autumn was delivering speeches to world leaders.
She first made headlines when she confronted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, challenging him on Canada’s failure to provide clean water to Indigenous communities. Then, in a moment that solidified her place as a global activist, she stood before the United Nations General Assembly, delivering a speech that was both poetic and piercing, reminding the world that "water is alive, water has spirit."
At just 15 years old, she was appointed Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation, stepping into a role of deep responsibility that generations before her had carried. She continues to push for policy changes, sustainable water management, and—above all—the recognition that access to clean water is a basic human right, not a privilege.
Her work is a powerful reminder that many Indigenous communities in Canada still face boil-water advisories, an ongoing crisis that governments have been slow to resolve.
"As a young Anishinaabe woman, I believe International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of women everywhere. Women have always been caretakers of the land and water, and our voices are needed now more than ever to protect the future of our planet," she has said.
"On this day, we honour the contributions of women across the world and continue to fight for equality, recognition, and the right to protect what is sacred—our water, our land, and our people."
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Claudine Cousins: A leader in community empowerment
Claudine Cousins is the kind of leader who makes things happen—not just in boardrooms but in real life, where it matters most.
As the CEO of Empower Simcoe, she’s been rolling up her sleeves for years to make sure people in Simcoe County have access to the support they need. Whether it’s affordable housing, programs for people with disabilities, or early childhood development, she’s all about creating real opportunities for those who need them most.
But she’s not just about programs and policies—she’s about people. Claudine is a mentor, a role model, and someone who genuinely believes in lifting others up. She’s been at this for over 25 years, working in both the public service and non-profits, always pushing for systemic change that breaks down barriers and creates a more inclusive, equitable world.
Her story is one of determination. "As an immigrant to Canada from Jamaica, my journey has been shaped by perseverance and resilience. Early on, I faced challenges and resistance when pursuing higher education. But I refused to let those barriers define me. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, a Master's in Leadership and a Doctorate in Health Sciences—each step reinforcing my belief in the power of continuous learning and personal growth.
I hope my story serves as a reminder that with support, and self-belief, we can rise above challenges and create meaningful change, not only for ourselves but for those we uplift along the way."
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Jo-Anne McArthur: Giving animals a voice through photography
Jo-Anne McArthur doesn’t need words to make a statement—her photographs speak for themselves. As a Canadian photojournalist and animal rights advocate, she has spent her career documenting the often-hidden lives of animals, revealing their struggles and their triumphs.
Her work, featured in National Geographic, The Guardian, and The Washington Post, has exposed the realities of factory farming, animal testing and wildlife exploitation. But beyond exposing cruelty, McArthur’s photography also captures moments of hope—rescued animals finding sanctuary, people fighting for change, and the undeniable sentience in every creature’s eyes.
Her books, We Animals and Hidden: Animals in the Anthropocene, challenge us to rethink our relationship with animals. By showing the truth through her lens, she invites us to see them not as commodities, but as beings worthy of respect and protection.
When asked about International Women’s Day, McArthur sees it as a moment for reflection, but also for action: “In my work, I see the parallels between human and animal oppression, and I believe that as women, we have a unique power to challenge these injustices. We have always been caretakers, leaders, and storytellers. This day is about recognizing that power and using it to create change.”
These women remind us that strength comes in many forms and represent just a fraction of the countless trailblazers working toward a better world.
And when the road feels long, remember Colette Werden’s words: "It’s okay if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure that when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire."
This March 8, let’s celebrate, uplift and continue the fight for a future where all women are empowered to lead, thrive and make their voices heard. Because when women rise, we all rise.
Monika Rekola is a certified landscape designer and horticulturist, passionate about gardening, sustainable living and the great outdoors. Contact her at [email protected].
