Celebrate International Women’s Day 2024 with Hot 101.9!

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global nod to the amazing achievements of women in social, economic, cultural, and political arenas. It’s like a worldwide applause for their contributions. But, it’s also a gentle reminder that we’re not done yet with the equality mission!

This year, the theme is “Inspire Inclusion.” It’s all about embracing diversity and empowerment in every corner of society. To find out how you can inspire inclusion – click here.

We have chosen to highlight some of the most incredible women we have in the CBRM below. Keep scrolling to read more about them and their contributions to our community.

Amanda McDougall was first elected to the Cape Breton Regional Council in 2016 serving as Councillor for District 8 and elected to serve as Mayor of the CBRM in 2020. As Councillor for District 8 Amanda has proven to be a strong and community-minded leader. With a moral compass to make the right decisions and ask tough questions Amanda has the character and courage needed to lead the CBRM towards a prosperous and sustainable future. Although Amanda holds a Bachelor in Political Science Degree from Cape Breton University, it was her years of volunteer work with organizations such as the Main-a-Dieu Community Development Association, Cape Breton C@P Society, Lumiere, Cape Breton Community Housing Association and more, that sparked her passion to lead change within the CBRM. As a CBRM Councillor, the Executive Director of ACAP Cape Breton and a past Program Coordinator at Coastal Discovery Centre, Amanda has helped move our communities forward and is well-aware of the incredible potential our community holds. Amanda resides in Glace Bay with her partner and growing family, but can be found along the shores of Main-a-Dieu throughout the summer.

Lisa was born and raised in beautiful Glace Bay. She had the most loving and caring parents who were always looking out for others. She attended St. John School in New Aberdeen and St. Michael High in Glace Bay, and both schools were filled with amazing teachers who instilled in her the desire to become a teacher and help others. She has been fortunate enough to teach in Glace Bay for over 33 years, and she has watched her students adopt children at Christmas for over 25 of those years. Recently, her students have spoiled seniors at Victoria Haven for Valentine’s day, gifted customers with $50 gift cards at Superstore, surprised customers at local coffee shops with paid purchases and delivered surprise grocery drop offs for seniors. Lisa’s husband of 30 years Malcolm Roach and her two sons Eddie and Spencer have been so supportive and understanding when they see how much personal time she invests in helping with school community projects. On this International Women’s Day, Lisa would like to a special shout out today to all the amazing women in her life, both past and present.

Paula MacNeil hails from Sydney Mines and is the Chief Executive Officer for the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax and a Master of Education in Information Technology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Since 2014, she has held the professional designation of Certified Fundraising Professional (CFRE), which is a title awarded to fundraising professionals who have achieved and maintained a mastery of fundraising criteria. Paula is the current Chair of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce and is part of the national mentorship team of Business for the Arts ArtsVest Program, which is a training program designed to support the arts and culture sector. In recognition of her contributions to community, in 2023, Paula received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. Paula is an avid runner, and you can find her in the early morning hours running with friends. Her love of the outdoors has seen her enjoy numerous backpacking adventures. Among her notable hikes was the Seawall Trail, which is a yet to be blazed, 48 km rugged wilderness hike sprawling along the coastline and cliffs of Northern Cape Breton. Paula is married to a Celtic touring musician, Stewart, of the Barra MacNeil’s, and credits this for her ability to step dance. Paula and Stewart share their home with two rescue cats – Mr. Duffy and MacTavish.

Rochelle Hatcher is the Regional Director/Industry Community Engagement Coordinator with the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council supporting the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Construction Sector. Rochelle has a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies Degree from Cape Breton University and held previous roles as Executive Director and Fund Development Manager within the healthcare charitable sector. She is a professional relationship manager specializing in community development and management. Rochelle serves as a liaison for industry partners with government, community, and service providers and sits on multiple committees throughout Nova Scotia that focus on creating a more diverse and equitable workforce. Rochelle is a board member of the Cape Breton Chamber of Commerce and gives time to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation and with her dog Quincy as volunteers with St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog Program.

Erika Shea is the President and CEO of New Dawn Enterprises and has been working in community development for over fifteen years. After completing degrees at Carleton University and Saint Mary’s University and working cross Canada, she moved to Cape Breton and started with New Dawn in 2012 as the Director of Communication and External Relations. Erika has led countless meaningful community projects in the last ten years with New Dawn; including the opening of an island immigration centre (Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration), the development of the region’s first net-zero solar community (Pine Tree Park), and the purchase, renovation, and revision of the Holy Angels High School property (now the Eltuek Arts Centre and New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation), which together house four large arts organizations, meeting/presentation/event spaces, an open lounge/cafe and community kitchen, 40 independent artists and artist collectives, and over 30 small businesses. The guiding ethos of Erika’s daily work is the building of communities that centre the dignity, worth, and well-being of all people. In addition to her work with New Dawn, she has served on the boards of the Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia, ACAP Cape Breton, and is presently a director with the Highland Arts Theatre and Community Foundation of Nova Scotia. Her great joy remains her two beautiful children, Frances and Charlie, and her partner Rob.

Veronica Merryfield, an established EDI community leader, originally from England, moved to Cape Breton in 2016. Formally educated in electronic engineering, she has worked around the world in a number of markets both in engineering, sales, marketing, support, management and c-level as well as teaching part time at Dal. Veronica’s journey to womanhood is a road less travelled and identifies as intersex and transgender, it’s a long story, as is her journey with neurodiversity. Drawing from her lived experiences, Veronica’s public speaking and EDI training/consultancy is in demand locally and further afield. Veronica is also getting her musical instrument making and teaching business going again, something of a 40 year passion. She is board chair for the Every Woman’s Center, Transition House, CBRM diversity committee, Cape Breton Center for Sexual Health, Conversion Therapy Survivors Connect, Marion Bridge School advisory Council, and is a member of the Status of Women Advisory Council, Cape Breton Pride board and the CBRM Accessibility committee. She has worked successfully to get changes to legislation and routinely works with the Department of Health and Wellness on Gender affirming care. She is the founder of Cape Breton Transgender Network. Veronica has two daughters and four grandchildren, plays bass guitar and keyboards, and is a writer, photographer and partial to a decent cup of tea.

Jenna Lahey was named CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce in March of 2022. She originally made the switch to the nonprofit world in 2018 when she joined the Cape Breton Partnership to conduct research studies with Female Entrepreneurs. Through her work at the Partnership, she developed strong relationships with the business community and created programs that positively affected businesses and emerging entrepreneurs, such as the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program and the Women’s Microloan Program for Cape Breton-Unama’ki. Prior to this, she worked in various key industries across the island such as tourism and seafood. Through her work, she has become a staunch advocate of DEI work, receiving certification from Cornell University in this field. Jenna is an active volunteer in community development, the arts, and opened a small Marine Museum in her home community of Louisbourg. Her favorite pastime is hiking with her three dogs; Tuukka, Marley, and Lucky.

Madonna Doucette, she/her is the Director of the Youth Project in Cape Breton and a queer educator for 13 years; she calls herself a professional homosexual. She is a proud Cape Breton girl with roots all around the island. To be honest, she makes herself at home everywhere she goes but feels most at home in a kitchen, cooking food for her loved ones. In fact, nothing brings Madonna more joy than feeding people and making folks feel safe and loved.

Natalie Maglario is the proud owner of Emerald Isle and the Emerald Isle family of stores Inc. She is Passionate about providing her customers with a gifting experience that far exceeds their expectations. Continuing to build a business here in Cape Breton for the past 30 years has been a privilege. “When you own your own business you have an amazing opportunity to make a difference in your community, live with purpose and always be thankful for your success.” As an entrepreneur she gives back to her community that has supported her that is so important to her. Working with nonprofit organizations on fashion shows, galas and auctions are just a few of the ways in which she says thank you!

Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley was elected as the first female Chief of We’koqma’q in 2020 and was a councilor for three consecutive terms. Annie Bernard-Daisley is a Mi’kmaq woman, mother of three daughters, daughter, auntie, friend, band council member, and past president of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association (NSNWA). Chief Annie has been a strong advocate locally, provincially, and federally. She has spoken to both the provincial and federal governments on matters related to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, driven by the need to create some good from a tragic event in her family. Chief Bernard-Daisley holds the Lead of the Mi’kmaq Women portfolio for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.

Tanya Johnson-MacVicar is the granddaughter of Valerian and Cecelia Marshall of Potlotek First Nation. Born and raised in Potlotek First Nation Tanya is the mother to her 11-year-old son Carter and wife to Carl MacVicar, Tanya and her family currently live in Westmount, Nova Scotia. Over the past 25 years, Tanya has worked with various Indigenous organizations in the Maritimes and throughout Canada, she currently owns her own consulting and construction business with her husband focusing on Truth & Reconciliation with all Treaty people. Tanya has always been focused on Mi’kmaq rights, social justice, Indigenous culture, heritage, and Mi’kmaq archaeology. Tanya is an author of a children’s book entitled, “Do you know my Grandfather, Smokey Dad, he’s a superhero”, a story that tells her grandfather’s heroic journey by canoe from Potlotek First nation to Montreal Quebec in 1967. Tanya is known to be an advocate for her communities and people, she is passionate about the protection and education of Mi’kmaq archaeology and works tirelessly to educate all about Mi’kmaq artefacts and sites giving all Treaty people a better understanding of how significant Mi’kmaq history is valued and protected. Tanya has recently partnered up with Indigivisor and works on her own reconciliation business, is currently working with allies to create a better world speaking to reconciliation and the TRC Calls to Action and was a recipient of the Tom Miller Human Rights award.

It is her background in government, non-profit, and charitable organizations that fuels Natasha Kochhar‘s passion for her community and economic growth and development. It is this passion that allowed her influence national policy decisions that have had a direct benefit to communities across Atlantic Canada, in particular, for communities across Cape Breton Island. In 2014 Natasha moved to the very small town, Sackville, in New Brunswick to pursue her B.A. in International Relations and Political Science. Once graduated from Mount Allison in 2018, Natasha returned to Cape Breton where she completed her Masters of Business Administration in Community Economic Development at CBU. Currently, Natasha is Senior Advisor to Member of Parliament, Mike Kelloway. She spent 2 years working on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and now resides permanently in Sydney with her partner, Kevin. In her free time, you can find Natasha volunteering as Chair of the NextGen Cape Breton-Unama’ki board, sitting on Sydney Academy’s SAC, or playing one of Cape Breton’s beautiful golf courses in an attempt to have a scratch handicap one day! A Cape Bretoner through and through, Natasha is thrilled to have been able to lay down roots and build her career here in Cape Breton/Unama’ki. She is a firm believer in her community and committed to continuing to ensure Cape Breton Island continues to be a place where people want to live, work and play.

Born and raised in Sydney, Cape Breton, Kathleen Yurchesyn is a passionate and engaged advocate for the region’s future growth and prosperity. Following her graduation from the Public Relations Degree program at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, she initiated her career at a marketing and communications agency in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Kathleen eventually moved back home to Nova Scotia and is serving as Vice President, Operations and Corporate Development with Novaporte. This is a transformational development involving the creation of the most strategic transportation and logistics hub on North America’s East Coast. Over the past four years, Kathleen also led the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce as CEO – a position she took on at 27 years of age. Kathleen’s skills include strategic development and implementation and corporate communications, along with organizational leadership and project management. She has demonstrated her ability throughout her career as a collaborative, self-directed and disciplined leader of projects and initiatives across many disciplines. She committed to and passionate about the growth and revitalization of Cape Breton. Kathleen serves on NSCC’s Board of Directors, as well as Breton Ability’s Board of Directors. In her spare time, Kathleen is an avid ‘spinner’ and spin instructor at the YMCA, she loves to cook and enjoys food, wine, music, and travel. She is a fervent reader and considers herself a lifelong learner. While her travels have taken her around the world to over a dozen countries, her favorite destination is by the water at the cottage in beautiful Beaver Cove, Nova Scotia.

Nadine Bernard Is Mi’kmaq from the Wekokmaq First Nation but currently resides in Sydney with her family. She is the CEO and Founder of Indigevisor Ltd. Nadine has worked in various roles with Indigenous NGOs, Municipal and Provincial Government within their Diversity and Inclusion departments and Anti-Racism. Indigevisors primary services are supporting proponents with their Indigenous communication and engagement strategy development, support Indigenous Benefit plans on infrastructure projects with an emphasis on Indigenous procurement within the Atlantic Provinces. She has supported various clients in the construction, renewable energy, forestry and mining sectors. She is the proud mother of three grown children, and two grandchildren. Her commitment to community and reconciliation is the basis of her work and works tirelessly to build a better understanding of the diverse communities of Turtle Island/ Canada. Nadine studied Mi’kmaq Studies and Business from Cape Breton University, has two diplomas from the Coady Institute at St.FX In Aboriginal Leadership and Indigenous Women in Community Leadership, is an active Kairos Blanket exercise facilitator.

Tanya Estwick (She/Her) “1ONYX” Cape Breton’s Black/Cree Author, Poet, Illustrator, Educator, Consultant, Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Teaching & Learning Advocate, Community Involvement, Authentic Student-Centered Motivational Speaker. Tanya currently works for the Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education in administration, dealing with Race Relations/Equity, Cross Cultural Human Rights and is a Consultant for the Cape Breton Region. For over two decades, Tanya has educated thousands of students as a classroom teacher in multiple subjects and grade levels; while coordinating a Cultural Academic Enrichment Program for The Black Educators Association. Through education and community involvement, Tanya has advocated and modeled Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning, intending student success for all. In the immediate near future, with the teamwork of four other influential women, together with Equity as their driving force, will have established an association for Black teachers within the province of Nova Scotia. Through an authentic writing genre, called Spoken Word Poetry, Tanya has authored a children’s book for adults, called, “The System Almost H.A.D Me!” “Understanding Culturally Responsive Pedagogy.”  “For Educators by An Educator” with an educational overview on how to make your school environment Culturally and Linguistically Responsive; while awaking one’s pedagogical review.  The book will be available this summer 2023 with book launches to take place at Melenik Hall, Whitney Pier and U.N.I.A. Cultural Museum, Sterling, Glace Bay. A generous portion of book proceeds are going back to the community of Whitney Pier and the students within the Cape Breton education system; with an honorary community member’s name attached for schools’ supplies and tuition costs. Tanya desires all to be authentically safely and proudly; while sharing love and lifelong learning throughout the years. “Do You!”