Quick EscapeHonourary Woman of Distinction
Honourary Woman of Distinction
YWCA Hamilton’s Honourary Woman of Distinction award is a unique award that is provided to a woman who has shown courage within her life, her journey and has uplifted others along the way. She is a woman who is dedicated to self-empowerment and to the empowerment of others around her. She has participated in or has been supported by a YWCA Hamilton program or service and since that time, has been devoted to the advancement of others and her community. This award is part of an internal nomination process across YWCA Hamilton departments on behalf of YWCA Hamilton staff.
2021 Honourary Woman of Distinction Winner:
Abrar Mechmechia
For her courage, resilience and dedication to the empowerment of women.
Born in Hamilton and raised in Aleppo, Syria, Abrar is a mental health counsellor with a passion for empowering marginalized youth and women. When the civil war broke out, Abrar remained in Syria to volunteer and work with SOS, UNICEF, and UNHCR to provide children with trauma-informed mental health care. In 2017, the situation became extremely dire, so she returned to Hamilton. Broken, but not defeated, Abrar channeled all her energy towards mental health care in Hamilton and beyond.
Over the years, Abrar has made an impact through her roles at Thrive Child and Youth Trauma Services, Wesley, and the Hatts Off group home. During the pandemic, Abrar launched her own virtual counselling platform and national mental health campaign to support women, children and youth impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Congratulations Abrar!
