Meet Chatelaine’s 2020 Women Of The Year!
My glass typically veers toward half-empty around November, and that’s without factoring in a global pandemic. But working on Chatelaine’s annual Women of the Year feature—and lifting up some of the amazing women who are making our country, and our world, a better place—is an honour and a salve, and never more so than this year. (Oh, and a hat tip to my partner on this year’s package, assistant editor Radiyah Chowdhury.)
This year, we’re honouring women like federal Green Party leader Annamie Paul, whose recent win has made the Canadian political system more accessible to people who previously felt shut out of it. Women like labour organizer Sonia Aviles, who played a pivotal role in highlighting the injustices that migrant farm workers experience in Canada. And women like journalist Kayla Grey, who is doing the work to make Canadian sports media more inclusive so that, in her words, “the next Kayla can be 1,000 times better than me because there are fewer hurdles she has to jump over.”
We are all better for their efforts. Read on for more from our 2020 Women of the Year—all of whom share their own highlights from this highly eventful year.
Annamie Paul
The federal Green Party leader is a Woman of the Year for prying open the door of Canadian politics. Click here for more on Annamie, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
The Wet’suwet’en Matriarchs
The Wet’suwet’en matriarchs are Women of the Year for standing up for unceded lands. Click here for more on the matriarchs, including Freda Huson’s own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Samra Habib
The author and photographer is a Woman of the Year for (stunningly) telling stories that have often gone untold. Click here for more on Samra, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Phyllis Ellis
The documentarian is a Woman of the Year for issuing a call to arms for beauty consumers. Click here for more on Phyllis, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Annie Murphy
The actor is a Woman of the Year for making us laugh when we needed it most. Click here for more on Annie, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Aurora James
The fashion designer and founder of the 15 Percent Pledge is a Woman of the Year for stating that Black entrepreneurs deserve more. Click here for more on Aurora, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Theresa Tam
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer is a Woman of the Year for guiding us through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more on Dr. Tam, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Kai Cheng Thom
The author is a Woman of the Year for fostering a community of hope and compassion. Click here for more on Kai, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Kayla Grey
Journalist Kayla Grey is a Woman of the Year for doing the work to make Canadian sports media more inclusive. Click here for more on Kayla, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Sonia Aviles
The labour organizer is a Woman of the Year for providing a lifeline to migrant farm workers. Click here for more on Sonia, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Christine Genier
Journalist and story gatherer Christine Genier is a Woman of the Year for speaking her truth at all costs. Click here for more on Christine, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Lainey Lui
The blogger, reporter and television host is a Chatelaine 2020 Woman of the Year for holding others—as well as herself—accountable. Click here for more on Lainey, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
Lisa Campbell
The president of the Canadian Space Agency is a Woman of the Year for being the first woman to take on a galactically huge role. Click here for more on Lisa, including her own highlight from this highly eventful year.
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Maureen Halushak is the editor-in-chief of Chatelaine. Outside of work she also loves running, reading and hanging out with her husband and their two big dogs.
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