Caitlin Downie is the fifth and final nominee selected for the 2020 Women of Inspiration Series.
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and the Bouchier Group made the announcement on Feb. 13, 2020.
They nominated Downie for her work promoting equality and equity in the RMWB, especially in the area of religious inclusion.
Reflecting on the nomination and the motto, Downie said women of inspiration align action to a purpose.
“They use the seat they hold in rooms and what privilege they hold to speak up and drive positive change. In the face of a wall of barriers, they find a shovel and start digging.”
Inclusivity and diversity
A six-year resident, Downie is a founding member of the Collaboration for Religious Inclusion (CRI).
She lobbied for public quiet rooms at the Fort McMurray Airport Authority, MacDonald Island Park, and Municipal offices.
Looking globally, Downie developed the UNESCO toolkit titled “LGBTQ2+ Inclusiveness: Toolkit for Inclusive Municipalities in Canada and Beyond”.
The information package teaches how to implement LGBTQ2+ inclusion in municipal policies and practice.
Through her work, UNESCO elected Downie to serve as Chair for the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities.
Also, she received the “Friend of Diversity” award at the annual Diversity Awards in Alberta, and recognition from the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee.
Girls Inc. Executive Director Nanase Tonda said she looks forward to honouring women like Downie at the Girls Inc. Gala on March 7, 2020.
“We wouldn’t be able to recognize this group of incredible women without Bouchier, Syncrude and other partners’ in our community. We cannot wait to ‘shatter’ barriers and stereotypes together on March 7 and transform the energy of our Women of Inspiration Series.”
The group will accept nominations for the 2021 Women of Inspiration Series presented by Bouchier at the start of next month.
