Esther Enyolu (Canada)

Executive Director, Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counseling Centre of Durham

Esther has been working in the human service field for over 35 years. She is a great advocate and leader on issues of gender-based violence, IPV and economic empowerment of women for financial sustainability and security. As the Executive Director of WMRCC of Durham, she continues to develop numerous innovative programs and services to support the population the organization serves. She facilitated the development of 7 worker cooperative groups for newcomers and immigrant women in 2019, and is currently developing another 7 cooperatives.

She is highly committed to ensuring that women, youth, and children from diverse backgrounds receive effective and efficient services; as well as maintaining a work environment that is free of all forms of oppression. She puts a lot of emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, equality, human rights, and social justice. Accordingly, she deems it necessary to partner with several community organizations and stakeholders in developing culturally competency programs and services in Durham Region and across Canada. In her view, an intersectional approach to economic empowerment of women and girls requires a strong understanding of how various forms of oppressions intertwine and impact the lives of vulnerable populations.

She is a member of The Banker Ladies Council. She is also the co-author of Creating “Inclusive Spaces for Women”: An Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppression Manual for Service Providers. She is the Co-Chair of the Barrie Anti-Racism Task Force. She is a recipient of several community awards, including two-time recipients of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022. Remarkable Women Award, Women of Distinction Award, Excellence Award, and many others.

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