International Women’s Day Luncheon: A Call for Change, Courage, and Ambition in Cornwall

Today, the Cornwall Business Enterprise Center and the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a momentous International Women’s Day Luncheon, marking a significant gathering of influential figures and community members. The event, held at the Ramada Inn, attracted a wide array of attendees, including Mayor Justin Towndale, councilors Elaine MacDonald, Sarah Good, Denis Sabourin, and numerous prominent women from the community such as Doreen Ashton Wagner from Business Sisters, Lisa Dupreau from Agape and and Debbie Fortier from Maison Baldwin House.

The luncheon kicked off with an inspiring introduction by Shauna Baggs and Angela Bero, a video message from Senator Bernadette Clement, then Councilor Sarah Good introduced the main speaker, Isabelle Hudon, a very accomplished woman who is not only the CEO of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) but also a fervent advocate for women’s advancement. A discussion panel featuring Hudon, Deputy Mayor Carma Williams, Shelbie Ladouceur-Etukudo, Director of Finance and Operations for Olsenfab, and Kelly Back, owner of Fire Loom Creations, brought diverse perspectives and insights to the dialogue.

Central to the event was the theme of change, courage, and ambition, eloquently addressed by Hudon during her speech. She posed a reflective question to the audience: “On International Women’s Day, every year we challenge ourselves: do we really need to celebrate and to talk about this?” She answered emphatically, “YES!” Hudon highlighted a sobering statistic to underline her point: before the pandemic, it was estimated that achieving gender equality was 135 years away at the current pace of change. However, in just two short years, the pandemic has set back these efforts even further, extending the timeline to 150 years.

The event was a resounding call to action for everyone in attendance and the community at large. It highlighted the necessity of embracing change, having the courage to speak up and push boundaries, and harboring the ambition to achieve gender equality in all spheres of life. It underscored the critical responsibility we hold to act as role models for future generations, demonstrating through our actions and commitments that a more equitable world is not only possible but imperative. It is a step towards actionable change, empowering women, advocating for equal opportunities for all, and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow with the lessons of today.