On May 16, U of T Engineering alumna Anne Sado (IndE 7T7) was among seven recipients honoured with the 2012 YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Awards.
The annual awards gala honours the outstanding achievements of recipients who work to improve the lives of women and girls in their community. Sado, the first female President of George Brown College, was recognized in the education category for her commitment to advancing women, both at her college and in the Toronto community.
“I am inspired to do the work I do now, because education is a life-changer,” said Sado. “Education enables and empowers students to achieve self-sufficiency and access opportunity.”
Her leadership and vision has led to significant growth at George Brown College, and has also led to a number of community-outreach initiatives. One such initiative that is making an impact on the lives of many in Toronto is the Community Partnerships Office. The office provides a range of community-based programming that support women, with many of these programs designed to meet the needs of those who have experienced abuse, or who are new to Canada.
“The success stories I hear and am witness to every day are remarkable,” said Sado at the gala. “Success takes many forms. For some it’s about the value of gaining necessary skills to pursue a rewarding career. For others, it’s a means of changing life’s direction.”
Sado also volunteers extensively, chairing the Trillium Health Centre Board, and previously sitting on the boards of the YWCA of Greater Toronto, Junior Achievement and the Canadian Hearing Society Foundation.
The YWCA is among several organizations and institutions to have recognized Sado’s achievements and contributions in recent years. In 2010, Sado was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and was inducted into U of T Engineering’s Hall of Distinction. In 2011, she received an honorary degree from the Faculty for her successes in the engineering profession.
She is also the recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for her work with the YWCA of Greater Toronto, the Professional Engineers Ontario Citizenship Award for contributions to her community, and an Arbor Award from U of T.
Sado is not the first YWCA Toronto honouree with ties to U of T Engineering. Last year, Dean Cristina Amon was recognized in the same category for her commitment to increasing diversity in the engineering profession and developing engineering outreach programs for under-represented groups. Dean Amon was among Faculty leadership present at this year’s gala to celebrate Sado.
“On behalf of the Faculty, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Anne Sado on this remarkable achievement,” said Dean Amon. “Her work to support women, in both the Toronto and educational communities, is truly inspiring to us at U of T Engineering.”
To learn more about this year’s recipients, visit the YWCA website.
