Rose Anguiano Hurst
Executive Director, WEST
The annual International Women’s Day Gala hosted by Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. is a powerful celebration of community.
The greatest changes in society often start at the community level, driven by meaningful interactions between individuals. In the Windsor-Essex County, in the southern-most portion of Ontario, Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) is the driving force behind this exact type of change.
WEST provides support to women in the Windsor-Essex County, helping them to achieve their goals through acquiring employment, training, and skill development, along with aiding newcomers and immigrants with their settlement into the Windsor-Essex community. “Our organization has been doing this great work of empowering women since 1987,” says Rose Anguiano Hurst, WEST’s Executive Director.
Empowering women
By building women’s employment skills and helping women to integrate into their community, and also through its focus on youth services and empowering youth, WEST is doing the invaluable work of opening doors for local women and helping them to create better futures.
WEST works with community partners, including other community organizations and the Windsor-Essex business community, to connect its clients with the resources and employment opportunities they need. Positioning women for success brings out the best in both the diverse team at WEST and the equally diverse women they serve.
“Our work builds women’s skills and confidence,” says Anguiano Hurst. “The strength of our organization lies not only in the dedication of our staff but in the resilience of our participants. Their commitment, strength, and passion inspires us every day to continue to do our work to move women forward.”
Honouring amazing women
When such an inspiring and motivated community works together to move mountains and change lives, celebration is in order. After the City of Windsor decided to stop hosting its annual International Women’s Day Gala — which WEST had been involved with — WEST opted to take over and begin carrying the torch by hosting the gala itself. This year will mark its 17th year as host.
“The International Women’s Day Gala is a perfect fit for our organization,” says Anguiano Hurst. “It reflects the international perspective of the clients who come through our program as well as our diverse staff and board of directors.”
Every year, WEST brings together guests from all over Windsor-Essex — including dignitaries, elected officials, and other community leaders — to celebrate International Women’s Day. The gala features a keynote address, entertainment, gourmet dinner, awards, silent auction, and raffle. This year’s gala will take place on March 8, 2023. Over 500 guests who support the pursuit of equality and the value of diversity are expected to attend.
Bringing the community together
The awards presented at WEST’s International Women’s Day Gala — dubbed the Journey Towards Success awards — honour inspirational women and steadfast supporters within WEST’s orbit and the Windsor-Essex community. The awards include Phenomenal Woman (honouring a remarkable WEST participant pursuing her skilled trades journey), the Innovation Award (honouring a forward-thinking youth), the New Partnership Award (honouring an individual who is new to WEST and supporting its clients), the Sisterhood Award (honouring a strong female leader), and many more.
The gala is a great way to celebrate the work we do with the community, recognizing and honouring our program participants as well as our community partners. It’s more than a gala and more than an awards celebration — it’s a celebration of community
“The gala is a great way to celebrate the work we do with the community, recognizing and honouring our program participants as well as our community partners,” says Anguiano Hurst. “It’s more than a gala and more than an awards celebration — it’s a celebration of community.”
The 2023 International Women’s Day Gala is sold out, we look forward to your support for next year’s gala!
#EmbraceEquity
To learn about the incredible work WEST is doing to empower women in the Windsor-Essex County, visit westofwindsor.com.
