Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good morning, everyone—especially the distinguished members of the committee.
My name is Jennifer Lusby. Lindsey Cooke and I are joining you today from our homes as settlers on Treaty 1 territory. While we reside on Treaty 1 territory, the work of Manitoba Possible extends to Treaties 2, 3, 4 and 5.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” said Walt Disney.
In the pursuit of our dreams, courage is indispensable. As I sit before you today as chair of Manitoba Possible, I am reminded of the enduring importance of empowering women in positions of leadership. Here in Ottawa, amidst the halls of power and strength of our great nation, I am humbled to join my voice with yours today to advocate for gender parity and the advancement of women in leadership roles—a cause that resonates deeply with me. This moment is not lost on me.
I am grateful for the opportunity to address this esteemed gathering on behalf of Manitoba Possible, a 74-year-old organization that is deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and providing disability services to Manitobans across their lifespans. We join you today as allies of those living with disabilities and are committed to using our voices and power to uplift and champion an equitable and inclusive Manitoba for all.
As a woman occupying the role of chair, I bear both the privilege and the responsibility of championing gender representation in our organizational dynamics. Our steadfast dedication to the 50-30 challenge exemplifies our commitment to achieving gender parity within our ranks. I am proud to share that we have 50% representation of women on our board of directors, a testament to our unwavering commitment to inclusivity, where every voice is valued. Additionally, with two-thirds of our officer positions held by women, we not only break down barriers but also set a precedent for gender-balanced leadership in our sector.
Nevertheless, amidst these milestones we cannot ignore the persistent gender disparities prevalent in boardrooms nationwide. Despite efforts to promote gender diversity, women remain under-represented in leadership positions, particularly in top executive roles. This sobering reality underscores the systemic obstacles impeding the progress of women in leadership and the need for ongoing, proactive measures to address these inequalities.
Achieving true gender equality in our lifetime is possible.
We must continue to move the needle on addressing entrenched inequalities faced by women in the workforce by advocating for resources, fair wages and recognition of the unique and valuable contributions made by women who have come before us, who stand beside us and who are yet to walk along their career journeys.
Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to amplify this critical discussion today.
Together we are stronger.