Celebrating Inspiring Women  

March 8 is International Women’s Day, an opportunity to recognize and shine the spotlight on the achievements of the women around us, and their indelible impact on our lives. Through their jobs, personal relationships and dedication to their community, they make a difference each and every day.  

We asked our employees to share their thoughts about International Women’s Day. Their answers to four questions speak volumes about the strength, influence and resilience of women, not to mention their contributions to the work done by Breakfast Club of Canada.  

The women who uplift and empower us 

Every day, the women in our midst motivate us through their caring, their commitment and their conviction. Mothers, mentors, public figures and so many more influence our values and shape our decisions. Here’s what some of our employees had to say about the women they admire. 

Marie-Claude Bienvenue told us about her mother, “a strong, determined woman who taught me to never give up when I believed in something. Her love for her family and her work pushes me to keep giving the best of myself.” 

Monica Paz also spoke about her mother’s strength: “She had the courage to start over in a new country to give us a better life. Her resilience and tenacity shaped who I am today and drive home the power of community — something I carry into my work at the Club.” 

Jessica Smith shared how her mother’s work ethic continues to guide her own: “She is strong, driven and incredibly capable. She sets high standards for herself and achieves her goals with determination. I strive to emulate that same energy and dedication in my own work.” 

Vanessa Racine added, “My mom is an inspiration. She’s always there to help people, and her generosity is boundless. In my job here at the Club, I try to be as thoughtful as she is in how I treat other people.” 

Lauriane Chamberland singled out her co-worker, Catherine D’Amours: “Catherine’s passion and determination show in everything she does. She’s a walking reminder of the importance of believing in what you do and doing it with conviction.”  

Marc-André Drapeau sang the praises of his significant other: “She has an impact on my life every day. She runs a business that helps women with their career development. I love how ambitious she is and how much she cares about other people.” 

Tania Angulo wrote to us about Marie-Josée Lapratte: “She’s brilliant! She’s so genuinely herself, and she really listens when you talk to her. She’s a great role model.” 

Dennise Yarema reflected on the single mothers in her life: “Their strength, resilience and ability to balance immense responsibilities inspire me every day. Watching them lean on their community and support systems highlights just how vital programs like those supported by the Club are.” 

Angel D’Andrea found inspiration in multiple generations of women: “My mother, a wireless operator in the Royal Air Force during WWII, showed me what resilience and courage truly mean. My four older sisters paved the way with strength and wisdom, and now my two daughters inspire me every day with their work ethic and compassion. They are the future, and the future is bright.” 

Empowering girls to get ahead  

Fostering gender equality starts at an early age. Breakfast Club of Canada is a driving force in creating a safe, inclusive space in the morning where every young girl can develop their full potential and believe in their abilities. Some of our colleagues shared how they think our organization shapes the world around us.  

Marie-Claude said, “The Club plays an essential role in helping children grow and develop, providing them with a supportive and caring environment that lets them face the future with confidence.” 

Lauriane added, “We work hard to make sure every child, regardless of gender or background, can dream big and have access to the resources they need to succeed.” 

Tania’s thoughts were similar: “The Club is a true champion of equality. We work hard to help girls flourish, without anything to hold them back.” 

From Catherine’s perspective, “The Club ensures girls start their day on equal footing. A balanced breakfast helps them focus, learn and thrive. But beyond nutrition, it’s about fostering confidence, ambition and a sense of belonging.” 

Angel D’Andrea shared a similar point of view: “The work we do gives children the opportunity to reach their full potential. To me, this means that girls can choose their own path and have the opportunities to achieve their dreams.” 

Jessica Smith reflected on the Club’s role in empowering girls: “Through access to nutritious food, leadership opportunities and mentorship, the Club helps girls build confidence and envision a future without limits.” 

The values espoused by International Women’s Day  

International Women’s Day is much more than a day on the calendar. It is a tribute to equality, inclusion and the power of community — principles that are central to the work we do. March 8 represents different things in our colleagues’ minds.  

For Marie-Claude, “It’s a day of celebrating equality, acceptance and respect. These are the ideals we try to live by at the Club as we work to build a better future for kids.” 

Vanessa referred to an idea put forward by the UN: “They emphasize that women in leadership are vital to change. It’s a value we try to instil in children every day through our work.” 

Lauriane added, “International Women’s Day is a time for remembering how important diversity and inclusion are in every walk of life.” 

And Tania stressed that, “It’s a day where the core values of empathy, honesty and teamwork that we see in action every day at the Club really shine through.” 

Angela summed it up in two words: “Compassion and solidarity — supporting and uplifting one another in the pursuit of progress.” 

Dennise reflected on the spirit of collaboration: “Two values that stand out to me are empathy and teamwork. At the Club, I see us striving to understand and support one another while working together to find solutions.” 

Jessica connected the Club’s mission to the values behind International Women’s Day: “Justice, dignity, hope, equality, collaboration, tenacity, appreciation and respect — these are at the heart of International Women’s Day. The Club embodies them every day as a majority-women team working together toward a common goal.” 

Catherine highlighted the importance of empowerment: “For me, International Women’s Day represents equality, dignity and collaboration. At the Club, we live these values by ensuring that every child, regardless of gender, has access to a balanced meal — helping build a future where girls can learn, grow and dream without barriers.” 

Advice for the next generation of women working in charitable organizations  

The last thing we asked our respondents to do was to share any words of wisdom they had for women interested in a career in philanthropy.  

“Never doubt how much of an impact you can have. Everything you do has the power to change people’s lives.” — Marie-Claude  

“Be a team player, and do you best to understand where other people are coming from. Together, we can make a lasting difference.” — Tania 

“Charities play such an important part in our society. Commit yourself to whatever you undertake with passion and conviction.” — Vanessa  

“Respect yourself. Your determination makes a difference in the lives of so many people.” — Jessica 

“Striving to achieve a better world for all is a noble career choice, but we must also be sure to manage self-care. Compassion fatigue is real. Burnout is real. Women believe they can have it all — do it all — and we can, but sometimes there is a sacrifice to be made, and typically it is our own health. Managing this is important.” — Angel 

On International Women’s Day, we are celebrating all the women who inspire us, who give so generously of themselves and who lead us forward in fulfilling our mission. Thank you to all the women at Breakfast Club of Canada who help to create a fairer and more equal world.