The Rotary Club of Richmond Hill is very happy to announce that the Winner of the First Annual Richmond Hill Women of Inspiration and Leadership Award, or WILA, is Sajida Habib.

 

Sajida has contributed to the Richmond Hill community since arriving as a newcomer from Pakistan to Richmond Hill in the 1980s. As 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 elections, 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 the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has helped over 13 shelters food banks, donating in excess of $170,000 with support from 140 Richmond Hill volunteers.

 

Noeline Paul, President of the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill said, “Sajida exemplifies the wonderful qualities that the WILA seeks to recognize. She balances the challenges of family responsibilities while building a career and giving back to the community. In doing all this, Sajida has also inspired others to contribute to improving the wellbeing of our fellow community members and making our community a better place in which to live. Our club is thrilled to announce Sajida as the first recipient of the WILA”.

 

As part of her award, Sajida will be able to select a charity of her choice to receive a $1,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill.

 

Sajida will be honoured at an award presentation on Monday, April 26, 2021 over a Zoom meeting. Anyone wishing to join the presentation, please register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lc-ytpjsvHtKdOnC2U7yTdV7E8s-TLL5c