The MWC Women of the Week (WOW)

Our MWC Woman of the Week is AMRITA KUMAR-RATTA. Amrita is a critical social researcher, equity & inclusion strategist and founder of Shades of Brown Girl, a global movement of brown womxn storytellers. She is passionate about creating socially inclusive societies & has played an integral role in supporting a vast number of women’s organisations over the years. At present, she is pursuing her PhD at the University of Toronto in the Department of Geography and Planning with Collaborative Specializations in Global Health and South Asian Studies. She is passionate about performing arts and as such, constantly strives to use arts-based learning tools, strategies, and methodologies in her work. You can usually find Amrita reading by the fireplace with a warm cup of chai, dancing to upbeat African tunes, or writing in her notebook with her sweet cat Rajah sitting by her side. We are blessed to have Amrita as part of the MWC Community!

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘FARIA JAFRI’, who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. A versatile and strong woman, Faria wears multiple hats, including that of a mother, an artist, a writer, and an entrepreneur. Faria has had her fiction and non-fiction pieces published in the international magazines, SHE Canada, McClung’s Magazine, Able, Collective Reflections, and Queen’s Journal. She also participated in OPIRG Toronto Symposium on Social and Environmental Justice (in 2016), as a workshop facilitator. Faria’s art explores multiple mediums: abstract, mixed media, landscape, digital art, acrylic, and hot crayon. Her art has been displayed at Scotia Bank’s 2014 CONTACT Festival, Studio 89 and at several other events and exhibitions.

Faria has recently launched her business ‘Mafzah Solutions’ which helps other businesses (especially shepreneurs) with project management, digital marketing and administrative tasks. Faria has been part of the MWC Community for almost four years. She has actively participated in our International Women’s Day Events and supported our fundraising initiatives. In addition, Faria has also conducted several workshops for our members, ranging from abstract art to youth wellness and life skills. We are blessed to have Faria as part of the MWC Circle!

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘STACEY D PERSAD’, who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. Stacey pursued a career in accounting, however, her desire to write has been bubbling since she was a young girl. Through her book ‘Transformation-Keep It Simple’, Stacey’s greatest hope is that each reader will learn a little bit more about their true self and let their inner light shine so they can enjoy life to the fullest. Her household consists of eight people: four adults and four children. With so many personalities living under one roof, she feels there is always something new to be learned! Stacey’s four children have taught her in so many ways, including by testing her virtues of patience, tolerance, and acceptance. Stacey joined Malton Women Council a year back, however, her connection with the MWC Family seems to be eternal. An ardent believer of MWC’s vision, she has supported our journey through her creative fundraising efforts on several occasions. In addition, Stacey continues to inspire, encourage, motivate, and empower the MWC women by sharing insightful excerpts from her book ‘Transformation-Keep It Simple’. We are blessed to have Stacey as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

Here are some golden words from an enormously powerful poem in her book- ‘Answers’:

“Start looking inside and stop running everywhere,

Silence yourself and you will hear.

Sit still, observe more, and speak less,

Surrender control and the Universe will help you with the rest.

 

Answers are around you everywhere,

Just be quiet and you will see or hear.

The answers may come in many ways,

Sometimes multiple times over a day”.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘AMARJIT PANCHHI’ who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. A dynamic woman, Amarjit brings with her knowledge and experience of diverse sectors including education, arts, sports, entrepreneurship, health and beauty. A writer and a poet, Amarjit serves as the President of Punjabi Sahit Sabha, Malerkotla, Sangrur (India). She has been actively involved with various literary organizations and projects including World Punjabi Conference 2021 (as Secretary) and The Literary Reflections. Amarjit is passionate about promoting Punjabi arts, culture and heritage through poetry, literary work, and folk dances. An active member of Malton Women Council, she shares her valuable insights on women empowerment though our ongoing programs. Amarjit sums up her journey of resilience, perseverance, and courage in the following lines of ‘Irene Agudu Muiri’:

“My worth is what’s in the ‘INSIDE’

Not what you see on the outside

I have the ‘VOICE’ to change people

I have the ‘RESILIENCE’ of an eagle

I have the ‘BEAUTY’ of a rose

Doesn’t matter if you oppose

You can’t break what’s INSIDE:

My ESTEEM, MY CONFIDENCE, MY PRIDE”.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘VIDHYA MAROTHU’ who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. With a master’s degree in Science, Vidhya has an extensive experience working as Auditor, Consultant, and Trainer for ISO:9001 certifications. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of Malton Women Council. Passionate about community and social services, Vidhya has been volunteering with various organization and groups advancing women and gender equality. Within a span of less than six months of her association with the Council, she has developed a deeper connection with members of the MWC Community. A people’s person at heart, Vidhya continuously empowers the Council members through her precious smiles, positive and encouraging thoughts, heart warming words of encouragement and her endless creative ideas. Vidhya takes pride in sharing ‘her story of survival’ to empower other women and sums up her life philosophy in the golden words of Maya Angelou:

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise……………

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise………………

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise…………

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘UPVINDER KAUR’ who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. A linguist by education and a teacher by profession, Upvinder served in the government education department (in India) for about 34 years. A loving mother of two daughters, Upvinder enjoys reading, baking, and painting and loves to stay connected with her family and friends. Currently, she is supporting and educating individuals to better understand and perform their caregiving roles, while taking care of themselves in the process. In the recent months, Upvinder has become an active part of Malton Women Council and has been sharing her knowledge and wisdom on wide array of sensitive yet critical topics related to health, well-being, spirituality, domestic violence, and women empowerment.

Upvinder finds her spiritual solace in ‘mother nature and her enthralling powers’. In her own words, “I am grateful to my life experiences, good or not so good, as they have contributed to my being and transformed me into my current self”.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘TEHMINA HAQ’ who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. A gold medalist from Punjab University (Pakistan), Tehmina has always been actively involved in various social and community-based activities and projects. A mother of 2, Tehmina is currently employed with TD Bank. She leverages her financial knowledge and expertise to provide guidance to Malton Women Council in her role as our Board Treasurer. Tehmina is passionate about interior designing and uses her creative pursuits for home staging projects. She is a true example of M. Angelou’s quote, “Nothing can dim the LIGHT which shines from within”. We are blessed to have Tehmina as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘ASHA BIDANI’ who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of Empowered Women, Empowered Communities. A graduate of Loretto Convent College (Calcutta, India), Asha served as a Secretary to Health Minister of India for two years. Asha also takes pride in the fact that she had the opportunity of volunteering at Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram, before and after India’s independence. Asha completed her Teacher’s Training in England and served as a Public-School Teacher for many years before she moved with her family to Canada in 1967. In addition to completing several speech therapy courses, Asha obtained her teaching accreditation from York University and served as Speech and Language Teacher in Etobicoke District School Board for 30 years. Asha also held the position of Board President for AWIC (Association of Women of Indian Origin in Canada); one of the pioneer organizations serving women of South Asian diaspora. She also took a lead role in organizing Toronto Diwali Mela for several years. Through her volunteer work and leadership for more than 50 years, Asha has contributed immensely towards creating a positive and inclusive community for thousands of immigrant women and families who call Canada as their home.

Asha’s life is a story of a woman’s leadership and her strength to make the CHANGE......a story worth cherishing and learning from…… We are so blessed to have Asha Bidani as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘SHASHI TAXALI’ who is a true example of a woman’s determination to achieve the ‘extraordinary’ by defying the societal norms/restrictions. A mother of two, Shashi spent 30 years of her life serving Canada Post. After her retirement, Shashi took up table tennis (ping pong) as a hobby and within no time, this hobby turned into a desire to participate in local competitions. However, after losing several of these competitions, Shashi resorted to professional training in both table tennis and swimming. She won her first gold medal in 2011 Hub Swimming and as they say, ‘the rest is Her-Story’; as Shashi earned several accolades at regional, provincial, and national levels. Shashi earned her gold and silver medals in Ping Pong, at the Canada Summer Games 2012 (55+ women’s singles, doubles, and mixed categories). In 2017, Shashi received gold medals in Prediction Walk and Nordic Walk. A recipient of several prestigious awards and recognitions including Outstanding Contribution to Communities-Sports Award Mississauga (2019) and City of Mississauga Recognition Award; Shashi is currently an active member of Lions Club and one of the Board of Directors of Mississauga Sports Club.

Shashi’s life which is an inspiration for many gives us the message that ‘our only limit is our mind’……We are so blessed to have Shashi as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

SARABJIT LUDHAR: Our MWC Woman of the Week is SARABJIT LUDHAR who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of Empowered Women, Empowered Communities. A businesswoman for more than 10 years, she is diligently managing 4 businesses. An epitome of strength and courage, Sarabjit has always stood up in the face of challenges and struggles and fought back for her family, friends, and herself. Sarabjit is a long-term supporter of MWC’s efforts of empowering women and families. She has made immense contributions towards our Annual International Women’s Day Events, Care to Share Program and Annual Meet Your Neighbour Day and Tree Planting Event. In addition, Sarabjit has guided and mentored many women and youth to become confident and independent individuals. A strong-willed woman and a wonderful human being, she believes in ‘living life to the fullest’. We are blessed to have Sarabjit as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is MALLIKA SOTHINATHAN who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of Empowered Women, Empowered Communities. Mallika has a Master’s in Mass Communication and is currently the Director of New Horizon Media Arts. Mallika is an activist and advocate for women and children’s rights. Her passion lies in using the creative world of visual arts (films, documentaries, YouTube series, TV shows etc.) to raise awareness on and address issues of social concerns impacting the global communities. Mallika’s recent film named ‘Crossing the River of Life’ focusses on lives of the domestic workers of India, their journeys from daily struggles to empowerment. The film has received several accolades and is showcased at prestigious national and international platforms, including Jaipur International Film Festival (India) and Ontario International Film Festival (Canada). During the recent crisis of COVID-19, Mallika and her team launched an online series called ‘Safe Distance Save Lives’. Using the digital platform, the project aims at bringing together people from all walks life, to share their stories of resilience as they deal with this global pandemic in their own unique ways. It has been an empowering experience for the MWC women to participate in and learn from these series. Mallika’s passion and perseverance to create a positive change in the world is commendable. We are blessed to have Mallika as part of the MWC Circle.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘SHVETA PATHAK’, who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. Shveta Pathak is a media professional, an event organizer and a mindfulness and well-being expert. Shveta’s passion for alternative energy healing and well-being can be traced back to the year 2000 when she started this journey by taking certifications in Reiki, Hypnotherapy and went on to practice Pranic Healing and conduct workshops and meditations in stress- relief and self-improvement. Shveta has supported and guided MWC women, seniors and youth to maintain their holistic health and well-being through her sessions on mindfulness, self-care, meditation, and building nurturing relationships.

In her free time, Shveta metamorphoses to a poet and enjoys watching comedies. In her words, “removing pain, bringing inner joy and helping others create fulfilling lives is the core of my being”. We are blessed to have Shveta as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘Parul Budhiraja’, who is an Ambassador of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. She is a certified teacher from Ontario College of Teachers with more than 12 years of experience teaching Grade 1 to 12 students as well as university courses. Parul has also completed diploma in Clinical Research and published 25 research papers in Indian and international journals.

Through hard work and perseverance, Parul has created a niche for herself as a successful educator and entrepreneur. Parul has been an active volunteer with Malton Women Council and has provided guidance to MWC families to help their children with the process of ongoing learning. She has also shared practical tips with MWC families to support their children during the times of COVID-19. Parul believes not only in providing teaching support to students but motivating them through parent involvement, to excel in life. We are blessed to have Parul as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is Parshinder Dhaliwal, who is a true Ambassador of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. Parshinder holds a master’s degree in philosophy and currently works as a Human Resources Specialist in Employee Relations and Diversity.  Through MWC’s ‘Rooh Say Rooh Tak’ platform, Parshinder shares soulful poetry and songs, creating moments of reflections and deeper connections for everyone. Passionate about music and dance, she has represented Malton Women Council in various cultural festivals and events. Parshinder finds nature as a healer and as a huge source of energy. She continuously strives to give back to the community through her volunteer work. In the words of Parshinder, “My philosophy of life is to love and to be loved”. We are blessed to have Parshinder as part of the MWC Circle.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is FOZIA MURTAZA, who is a true supporter of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. A dynamic leader, Fozia is a Stress Prevention Strategist, Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Life Coach, Writer and Speaker. Her passion lies in teaching individuals the new habits and strategies around self-care, nutrition, and physical and mental wellness. The focus of her work is to empower groups and individuals through safe and effective workshops where participants can identify life issues, and, using their own wellness tools, they can better maintain wellness and better manage periods of illness.

Fozia has a heart of service when supporting those who are looking for more wellness in their life. Through her sessions, Fozia has equipped MWC women with the knowledge and practical tools related to mental health and well-being; self-care and relationships (with self and others). She makes genuine efforts to provide one on one support and coaching to MWC women to facilitate their journey of empowerment and self-actualization.

Fozia is committed to assisting others on their journey of personal transformation and believes that when we fill our cup first and give from the overflow, we are giving from a place of abundance. We are blessed to have Fozia as part of the MWC Circle!

Our MWC Woman of the Week is SURJIT KAUR, who is known as ‘Rooh Ki Saheli’ (Soul Friend) in the MWC Community. An eminent writer, Surjit has authored several books of poetry, prose and stories that connect South Asian diaspora to their roots. Through her poetry, Surjit gives voice to the agony of the women and hopes to build empowered communities where women blossom to their full potential.

Surjit Kaur played a leading role in the recently organized ‘International Women Punjabi Poetry Festival’ which showcased the prominent women poets from around the world. In addition, Surjit Kaur also volunteers her time with various social and health services organizations such as Disha and Amar Karma.

In the words of Surjit, “I am a seeker who wishes to explore the secrets of Nature and my relationship with it”. We are blessed to have Surjit Kaur as part of the MWC Circle!

Our MWC Woman of the Week is TUSHITA MAJUMDAR, who is a strong supporter of MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. In her exciting and challenging journey, Tushita has adorned several hats - a Life Coach, Transition Facilitator, Counselor, Educator and Entrepreneur. A peoples’ person at core of her heart, she has always been in the human services sector. As a Motivational Speaker, she advocates for women’s cause supporting them transition smoothly from homeplace to workplace. Her clients affectionately call her Transforming Tushita.

Through her training sessions, Tushita has played a pivotal role in advancing MWC’s mission to provide platforms and create opportunities for women to excel in all domains of life. She has helped our women gain knowledge and learn skills in the areas of peer mentorship, financial literacy, and life skills.

A versatile and dynamic woman, Tushita lives by the philosophy- ‘it’s about what you are made of, not the circumstances- same water hardens the egg and softens the potato.’  We are so blessed to have Tushita as part of the MWC Circle!

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘NARENDER KAUR KALSI’, who is MWC’s Ambassador of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. A retired School Principal (from India), Ms. Kalsi has worked tirelessly to attain her education and to grow and succeed in her profession as an educator. She is a testimony to the fact that a woman can achieve anything she aspires for, irrespective of her life circumstances. An active member of various cultural and social groups, Narender made tremendous contributions to the education and social services sectors in India. Her passion to serve continues as she actively participates in Malton Women Council activities and writes articles for local and ethnic print media in India and Canada. Narender continues to live her life with full zeal and zest, as she spends her time in writing, painting, knitting, gardening, photography, and by participating in community activities.

We are blessed to have Narender Kaur as part of the ‘MWC Circle’!

 

 

Our MWC Woman of the Week is “REWA RISHI’. A founding member of the NGO Sanjh Jagori, Chandigarh Chapter, and recently retired Professor of Zoology at Government College for Girls, Chandigarh (India); Rewa has been continuously working to uplift those around her and to create a meaningful change in the community. A lifelong educator, Rewa inspires others to realize their inner calling and potential to become truest versions of themselves. 

MWC leverages Rewa’s extensive knowledge and experience to educate our women (and community at large) in the areas of gender equality and women empowerment. Through her ongoing valuable insights in MWC’s weekly sessions, Rewa continues to nurture our women to help them blossom into their ‘pure being’. A strong woman and a wonderful human being, Rewa enjoys singing, crochet and knitting. We are blessed to have Rewa as part of the ‘MWC CIRCLE’!

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘NASREEN KHAN’, also known as Nasreen Aunty and Nasreen Ji in the MWC Community.

A Malton resident for more than 15 years, Nasreen is always ready to extend help to her neighbours and community members. As a dedicated MWC volunteer for several years, Nasreen has supported our programs and events in many ways. She was the first person to support our recently organized food drive for families impacted by COVID-19. Nasreen also supported MWC in the distribution of wellness packages to Malton residents. Her passion and dedication to serve her fellow community members are exemplary. We are blessed to have Nasreen Khan as MWC’s Ambassador for Positive Change!

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘RINTU BHATIA’, who is MWC’s dedicated and passionate ‘Ambassador for Positive Change’. Her beautiful smile and melodious voice leave every heart and soul with a long-lasting warmth and an unexplainable peace. A strong and dynamic woman, Rintu is passionate about singing. Her singing talent has been blessed and shaped by some of the very respected Gurus and Academies of India. Rintu is a revered member of many literary associations like Aasees Munch Toronto, Kalman da Kafila, Canadian Sahit Sabha, Hindi Writer’s Guild, Geet,Gazal and Shayari and others.

Rintu volunteers her time with Malton Women Council and Disha, the organizations whose philosophies are deep rooted in women empowerment. In addition, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and creating a beautiful and loving home space for her family and friends. In Rintu’s words, “I believe in love, as love is all that matters”.

Our Woman of the Week is ‘ASMA KHAN’ who is the Vice-President and Secretary of our Board of Directors. A strong and dynamic leader, Asma is deeply passionate about issues affecting women’s health, equality, and socio-economic status. For more than ten years now, Asma has been working in the field of social services, including education and outreach around palliative care; cancer research study and family enhancement projects. Her expertise in the areas of women’s programs; project management and community outreach and awareness have immensely facilitated MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. Currently, Asma is supporting the Council’s work by providing educational sessions on issues affecting women’s health and well-being and by steering our recent initiative called ‘Courageous Conversations’ which aims to raise awareness on issues impacting our communities.

A wonderful human being and an amazing mother; Asma enjoys reading books, watching documentary films, listening to music, and cooking. Her ongoing guidance and mentorship to MWC’s Board, staff and volunteers have enabled the Council’s journey of mentoring, motivating, and mobilizing women and families. We are blessed to have Asma as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘ANSHU PALIWAL’ who is on our Board of Directors and passionately works towards Council’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. A successful businesswoman, Anshu is full of enthusiasm, compassion, and humility. Her personal experiences have steered her work in the areas of community development and women empowerment. Anshu is highly driven by her inner calling to help immigrant women in creating their niche (at homes and in their work) while they integrate into Canadian society.

Anshu has consistently supported our Care to Share Program through donations and by raising awareness about the initiative. As a Board Member, she continues to provide her expertise and guidance to facilitate MWC's mission of enhancing holistic health and well-being of women.

We are blessed to have Anshu as part of the ‘MWC Circle’.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘MEETA KHANNA’, who is a proud and passionate ‘MWC Ambassador for Positive Change’. An ex-corporate banker, Meeta describes herself both as a public and private person. With her dynamic and vibrant personality, Meeta strives to connect with more and more people, to be able to help them in their spiritual journeys through meditation, yoga, and energy healing. 
Within a short span of time, Meeta Khanna has become an integral part of ‘the MWC Circle’; as she continues to spread her positivity and love through her singing, writing and guidance on holistic health and well-being.

An epitome of versatility, Meeta lives by the philosophy of ‘LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST’

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘RAMINDER WALIA’, who is a proud volunteer and supporter of MWC. Raminder is an acclaimed and passionate Punjabi Poet who knows the magic of stringing the precious beads of feelings, emotions, imagination, dreams, and hopes into a beautiful necklace of her poetry. A courageous and devoted mother and grandmother with strong religious roots, Raminder enjoys cooking and making new friends. Raminder has played an instrumental role in strengthening MWC’s media presence and in introducing talented and experienced members to the Council. A selfless humanitarian, Raminder finds inner peace in helping those in need. We are proud to have her as part of the MWC CIRCLE! 

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘KIRAN YOUSAF’, who is a proud volunteer and supporter of MWC for many years. A dynamic woman and leader, Kiran confidently performs the multiple roles of a mother; an entrepreneur; a business management student; a volunteer and as a community change agent. Kiran has been a long-term supporter of MWC’s vision of Empowered Women, Empowered Communities and is helping us to increase awareness about MWC and to raise funds to support our ongoing program and activities.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is RACHELLE ALINCY who is a dedicated volunteer and supporter of Malton Women Council. An active Malton resident for last 17 years, Rachelle is a proud Ambassador of MWC’s vision of Empowered Women, Empowered Communities. In addition, she also dedicates her volunteer time as Malton Community Toastmasters’ Club Officer.

A reservoir of positivity and liveliness, Rachelle truly believes in and lives by the philosophy that a ‘community working together towards a common goal can change the course of history’.

Our Woman of the Week is ANUREET who is a dedicated volunteer and supporter of MWC for many years. Through her work in media and communications, Anureet has been very instrumental in spreading MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. A loving mother and an admirer of art and nature; Anureet aspires to live a conscious and purposeful life. In her words, “I want to spread the message of peace, love and humanity through my art of filmmaking”.

1.    Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘HUNYAH IRFAN’. A young and versatile member of the Council, Hunyah has passionately led and represented our ‘Youth Wing’ since 2012. An ‘out of the box thinker’, Hunyah has contributed to MWC’s vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities, through her creative and innovative ideas. An ardent believer of living life to the fullest; Hunyah creatively engages her time in travel and food blogging; writing book reviews and in continuously expanding her horizons.

Truly an Ambassador of MWC; Hunyah continues to inspire us all with her life philosophy that ‘Limits, like fear, is often an illusion’!

1.    Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘MOHINI KHOSLA’, popularly known as ‘Mohini Aunty’…..’Mohini Didi’…..and 'Mrs. Mohini' amongst the MWC Community! An active member of MWC, Mrs. Mohini has made several contributions to Malton Community in the last 40 years. She has dedicated her countless numbers of volunteer hours in local schools, seniors’ clubs and various community events.

Mrs. Mohini continues to live by her values of compassion and giving; as she currently volunteers her time at Malton Village Long Term Care and at MWC’s Seniors Wellness Program.

An inspiration for the MWC Community, Mrs. Mohini bewilders us all with the philosophy she lives by everyday: ‘WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, Mrs. MOHINI GETS SINGING & GOING’!!

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘SAMINA KHAN’ who is one of our founding members and our ‘guiding light’ since 2009. A brave, dynamic and versatile woman, Samina has been supporting MWC’s journey of women empowerment and leadership for more than 10 years. Being our Core/Advisory Group Member and a passionate supporter of MWC, Samina has made several contributions to our vision of ‘Empowered Women, Empowered Communities’. We rely heavily on her expertise in the areas of fundraising, event management and programming. In addition, she continues to play a crucial role in successfully running our South Asian Seniors Wellness Program.

Samina firmly believes that women’s economic, social and emotional well-being play key role in defining the course of her life. Samina’s life is a true reflection of this philosophy and she has mentored and coached many women to ‘take charge of their lives’

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘NIVEDITA SHORI’, who is our ex-Board Vice President and a dedicated volunteer since 2017. Nivedita has played a vital role in helping MWC reach the golden milestone of receiving its first ever funding in 2019. Through her creativity and brilliant writing skills, she is committed towards exploring newer heights and possibilities for MWC and help MWC realize its vision of ‘Empowered Women and Empowered Communities’. A firm believer of equity and social justice, Nivedita has a love affair with books, coffee and rain.

In her own words: “Nivedita is so much more, but she is also so much less than all this-- she's just stardust”

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘ANU RANDHAWA’, who is one of our founding members and an active MWC volunteer since 2008. Anu has played a crucial role in the formation, strengthening and growth of MWC through her passion, creativity, professionalism and leadership.

In the words of Anu, “For me, MWC has always been a medium to discover ‘the Unexplored Possibilities within Myself’. I am ever so grateful to MWC for helping me evolve into my ‘current version’…………..and as a ‘DOT’ on this ‘CIRCLE of MWC’; I strive to create similar opportunities and possibilities for other women who are part of the ‘MWC Community’……….one step at a time…..’DOTS BY DOTS’: Connecting Them All”.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘GULNAZ REHAN’, who is one of our founding members and a supporter of MWC since 2009.

Gulnaz is a ‘leader without a title’ who ensures every day that her home is a loving and nurturing haven for her children and her family. As a dedicated full-time mother and homemaker, Gulnaz is a testimony to MWC’s philosophy that ‘women are the foundation of strong, healthy and vibrant families and communities’.

A mother of two, Gulnaz enjoys cooking and baking and volunteers her time to empower individuals and families in her community.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘FAWZIA NOOR’, who is a dedicated core member of Malton Women Council. A Licensed Paralegal and a Conflict Resolution Coach, Fawzia is passionate about improving the quality of life of individuals and families through her legal, humanitarian and philanthropic work in the diverse communities. MWC and community at large have been benefiting from Fawzia’s conflict resolution workshops and paralegal services.

An amazing mother, Fawzia loves painting, travelling and spending time with her family.

In the words of Fawzia, “I believe all women in this world are special and if we look deeply into our hearts and hear our inner voice, we will always find ourselves to know WHO WE TRULY ARE”.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is ‘MEHWISH JAVED’, who is one of our founding members and a dedicated supporter of MWC since 2009. A committed mother of 3, she works as a Human Resources Coordinator at an employment company.

With her positive and warm personality, Mehwish has contributed to MWC in so many amazing ways. Through her journey of self-actualization, Mehwish has not only empowered herself and her family, but has also become an inspiration for so many women around her.

MWC, in the truest sense, has evolved because of the empowering stories of women like Mehwish!!

Our ‘MWC Woman of the Week’ is SURJEET SANDHU, who is our Board Treasurer and a very committed core group member. A GO GETTER, Surjeet has always boosted the morale of Team MWC, when things seem hard to achieve….. She never hesitates to propose innovative ways to work towards our vision of empowering women, families and communities.

Through her extensive work in the fields of finance, social services and health; Surjeet has helped MWC evolve at so many fronts.

In the words of Surjeet, “Being a Peer Support allows me to share my life experiences and life lessons with so many other women and create a positive impact in their lives”.

Our MWC Woman of the Week is HAFSA TAQDEES, who is one of our founding members and currently serves on our Board of Directors. A vibrant community leader, Hafsa has contributed towards our vision of empowering women, families and communities through her passion, creativity, spirit of volunteerism and outstanding leadership!

A versatile personality, Hafsa beautifully performs the roles of an amazing Mother; a remarkable Entrepreneur and a dedicated Community Change Agent.

In the words of Hafsa, “I cannot resist three things- service to humanity; a spirit for life-long learning and celebrating life through family, friends, music, parties and selfies”!

We are proud to launch our ‘The MWC Women’ series, whereby we will share with you about the women who are at the core of MWC…the women who inspire us, support us and give us many reasons to passionately work towards our vision of empowering women, families and communities.

Our MWC Woman of the week is UZMA IRFAN, who is the face of Malton Women Council and has given MWC the wings and the sky to explore the limitless possibilities for our women and families.

As Uzma humbly describes her role in this Universe, “I am a ‘CONNECTOR’ who is being sent into this world to help others realize their dreams and true potential”.