Quick EscapeThe Event
Presented by:
Shaila Jamal, 2023 Hamilton Winner
A Celebration of Women and Girls Making a Difference in Hamilton and Halton
YWCA Hamilton’s Women of Distinction Awards is the largest and most prestigious event honouring women and girls in Hamilton and Halton. With the support of our community, we will raise critical funds to further YWCA Hamilton’s mission to provide meaningful, accessible services to create opportunities, amplify voices, and co-create gender inclusive and equitable communities.
Our legacy of recognizing the leadership and impact of women began 135 years ago when YWCA Hamilton was first established. And, our legacy of celebrating fierce women and changemakers began 48 years ago and continues today with over 1,850 women and girls having been celebrated for their remarkable achievements in their sectors and communities.
Celebrate with YWCA Hamilton!
Event Details
2024 Women of Distinction Awards Gala
Thursday March 7, 2024
Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen’s
1 Summers Ln, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y2
Cocktail Reception 6 – 7 pm
Awards Gala 7 – 9 pm
Red Carpet hosted by Cable 14 9 – 9:30 pm
New this Year:
9:30 pm until late
Our First Ever After-Party
Emcee
Britta B.
Born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Britta Badour, better known as Britta B. is an award-winning artist, public speaker, and poet living in Toronto. She is the author of the poetry collection and audiobook, Wires that Sputter, published by McClelland & Stewart. As a moderator, she has interviewed celebrities like Jay Shetty, Keke Palmer, and Ziwe, as well as professional athletes and New York Times Best Selling authors. Her poem, “Dear Young Woman” has over 2 million views on YouTube and she has connections to Hamilton and Halton through her poetry and performances. As a host, she has emceed high profile events such as the city of Toronto Mayor Arts Awards Lunch, Women of the World Poetry Slam, and Literature Live Around the world in Bergen, Norway. In 2021, she won the Toronto Arts Foundation Breakthrough Artist Award and was named COCA Lecturer of the Year. Britta holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Guelph and teaches spoken word performance at Seneca College.
Special Guest
Layne
The Auctionista
Special Presentation of 2024 Honourary Woman of Distinction Award to:
Denise Christopherson
Former CEO YWCA Hamilton
About the Red Carpet
Nominees, Nominators, Winners, Sponsors and Special Guests are invited to walk our red carpet as they enter the After-Party. Pose for photos, chat with local media and influencers and share how you are celebrating women and girls making a difference in Hamilton and Halton.
After’wards | Our First Post-Gala Party
Join us at After’wards – our first ever post Gala party!
Tickets are available to everyone for $25 by February 29th or for $40 at the door (or until sold out). We’re partnering with Fruit Salad to create an inclusive, welcoming Post-Gala Party for folks of all gender-identities to celebrate in style. Your ticket includes a candy bar, late night snacks, a feminist fun fair, prizes, a DJ and a cash bar! You are guaranteed to have a great time! Visit www.wod2024.com to buy your ticket.
Let’s keep the celebration going all night long.
