VCC Vice Chair wins prestigious YWCA 2022 Women of Distinction Award

Libby Davies (holding bouquet, centre) and members of VCC at the 2022 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards ceremony

A message from VCC President and CEO, Ajay Patel

On behalf of VCC, I am excited to share that our Board of Governors Vice Chair Libby Davies has been recognized by the 39th Annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards in the non-profit leadership category.

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards are presented annually by Scotiabank, and are the YWCA’s premier fundraising event, honouring extraordinary women leaders and businesses.

This event honours extraordinary women in Metro Vancouver and recognizes their contributions to community and towards to the betterment of society.

Libby is a community leader and champion through and through. As a former Member of Parliament, she fought for the rights and dignity of women, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and the people of the Downtown Eastside for more than 40 years. Libby was instrumental in the successful campaign to build the InSite safe injection site, and has campaigned for the introduction of safe supply and harm reduction policy reforms, approaching the issue and those affected by it with compassion.

She was the first openly gay female MP in Canada and was integral in legalizing same sex marriage. As an advocate for a national childcare program, her work has helped lead to the $10 a day programs currently being rolled out throughout B.C.

We are privileged to have Libby's experience and advocacy at VCC and to know that our work truly represents her values.

I'd like to thank VCC’s Board of Governors Chair Joey Hartman and VCC Vice President Students and Community Development Jane Shin for their support in Libby's nomination.

Jane was a nominee for the 2021 YWCA’s Women of Distinction Award in the Education, Training and Development category.

I am humbled and honoured to work alongside such strong, empowered, and talented women.

Please join me in congratulating and thanking Libby and all the recipients of this year’s YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.

Bravo!

Ajay Patel
President and CEO
Vancouver Community College