This evening, the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill held the first ever Women of Inspiration and Leadership Award Ceremony. The recipient of the first award is Sajida Habib.
From a young age in Pakistan to being a newcomer in the 1980s to Richmond Hill, Sajida has been a volunteer leader. She has served as a parent volunteer on local school board, associations, worked as a facilitator at a York Region kindergarten, as a principal at the local Sunday school, led civic engagement in local marginalized communities for the 2015 and 2019 federal election, sponsored and supported Syrian Refugees, started the Homework club in Jaffari Housing, and founded a non-profit Muslim Women for York Region that provides food and essential needs like PPE to foodbanks and shelters throughout the GTA. During COVID-19, the organization helped over 13 shelters and food banks, donating in excess of $170,000 with support from 140 Richmond Hill volunteers.
Describing the commitment of Sajida from the perspective of someone who has worked closely with Sajida in many volunteer activities was Naila Dewji.
One of the community groups that benefitted from Sajida's organizational work was the Sandgate Womens' Shelter of York Region. Mona Shaher and Michelle Smith of Sandgate described Sajida's commitment and ability to organize volunteers.
On behalf of Sajida, the Noeline Paul, President of the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill provided the $1,000 award to Mona and Michelle from Sandgate.
Thanking Sajida on behalf of the community was Richmond Hill MPP Daisy Wai.
The surprise special guest MP Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development also thanked Sajida for her dedication and contributions.
Thank you Sajida!!
I would like to thank the members of our Womens' Inspiration and Leadership Award, Noeline Paul, Debbie Flom, Lisa Li, Veda Harricharran, Donita Hagborg and our Director of Community Services, Jason Cherniak for making this event possible.
#WILA
