International Women’s Day 2026

In recognition of International Women’s Day, our Women’s Forum hosted a series of initiatives throughout the week to celebrate the women in our lives. This year’s theme was “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” The theme calls for action to dismantle barriers to equal justice, including discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, and harmful practices and social norms that erode the rights of women and girls.

See below for a summary of activities we held this week:

INTERNAL EVENTS

We hosted our annual brunch to recognize the achievements and contributions of all the women and female-identifying members of Alexander Holburn.

The morning began with a breakfast buffet and a champagne toast served by several of our partners, followed by remarks from our current Women’s Forum Chair, Menka Sull. Members of our Kelowna and Toronto offices joined us online, while colleagues in our Toronto office also hosted their own in-person brunch the day before.

Throughout the week, we also spotlighted some of the incredible women at the firm. By sharing their inspiring stories and achievements, we highlighted the impact they have on our daily lives. Each of these women brings unique strengths, resilience, and leadership that inspire those around them. We hope their journeys encourage others to break barriers, embrace opportunities, and champion inclusion in the workplace.

In addition to these initiatives, each year our Women’s Forum supports organizations dedicated to uplifting women and girls in our communities. This year, we were proud to support three impactful charities in Vancouver and Toronto.

In Vancouver, we supported Girls Who LEAP: Lead to Empower & Act with Purpose, a registered non-profit, volunteer-run organization that provides leadership and mentorship opportunities, along with wrap-around supports, for female-identifying and non-binary youth in the Downtown Eastside and Grandview-Woodland communities.

In Toronto, we supported Shelter Movers, a national, volunteer-powered charitable organization that provides moving and storage services at no cost to individuals and families fleeing abuse. Working with local businesses and community agencies, the organization helps people—primarily women and children—safely transition to lives free from violence.

We also supported Red Door Shelter, a Toronto-based registered charity that operates two shelters: a family shelter for families in crisis with nowhere else to turn, and a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) shelter for mothers who have fled abuse to keep their children safe. Through its programs and services, Red Door Shelter helps families rebuild and work toward stable, sustainable futures.

SUPPORTING WOMEN IN LAW

The Women’s Forum is proud to sponsor two events for women in law school:

• The Allard Law Women’s Caucus hosts their annual Women in Law Dinner. This year’s theme is “Well-Being in Law”. The event hopes to acknowledge the unique challenges that women face in the career of law, celebrate our resilience, and foster a community to support one another. Attendees will hear in-person keynote addresses from inspiring speakers who will highlight ways they have overcome challenges in their lives and suggest strategies for attendees to embrace well-being in their own careers.
• The TRU Women in Law Society hosted an inspiring panel, “Women Supporting Women: Power in Community.” This event was a meaningful opportunity for law students to build community and expand their networks while hearing firsthand insights on overcoming barriers, developing leadership skills, and receiving practical tips for success in the legal profession. We’re proud to share that Katelyn Chaudhary was a panellist for this event, contributing her perspective and experience to the discussion. The TRU Women in Law Society plays an important role in creating a supportive space where students can ask questions, feel empowered, and foster meaningful connections within the legal industry.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the importance of creating a world where women have equal opportunities, access to education, healthcare, and resources. It encourages individuals, organizations, and governments to take action towards building a more equitable society free from discrimination and bias. This year’s theme aims to dismantle barriers to equal justice, including discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, and harmful practices and social norms that erode the rights of women and girls.

Click here to learn more about our Women’s Forum and the work we do.