As 2017 comes to a close, we are honouring Toronto’s most inspirational women of the year. Take a look at our 12-part series highlighting the changemakers who are pushing for women’s rights, exposing the inequalities in our city, achieving excellence in what they do and giving back through advocacy, activism, philanthropy and more.

The advocate: Rachel Parent

Rachel Parent has been an incredible force in spreading awareness about genetically modified ingredients, not just in Canada but around the world. Not a lot of kids — or adults for that matter — are driven to start a non-profit organization, but she founded KidsRightToKnow when she was just a young teen, and has been tirelessly campaigning to have GMOs labelled in Canada ever since.

At this point, over 60 countries around the world require labelling of genetically modified foods. Canada’s really behind the times. With Parent pushing for progress, I hope the federal government will finally give Canadian consumers the basic right to know whether our food contains GMOs.

In order to see progress on any issue in the world, you need committed activists like Parent pushing for change. It can be a thankless task and one that makes you vulnerable to attacks, and yet she stands strong in the face of it all. Parent has handled her opponents in the pro-GMO movement with grace and poise. She’s an articulate advocate — I don’t know many people that would volunteer to go up against Kevin O’Leary!

Her passion inspires people young and old to use their voice and speak up for what they believe in, regardless of age. She’s certainly encouraged thousands of people to question their food choices and rethink what they put in their bodies. I really admire her strength and tenacity. She definitely inspires all of us in the environmental movement not to give up and to keep pushing for a better world.

Next on the list: Jen Agg by Ivy Knight

As 2017 comes to a close, we are honouring Toronto’s most inspirational women of the year. Take a look at our 12-part series highlighting the changemakers who are pushing for women’s rights, exposing the inequalities in our city, achieving excellence in what they do and giving back through advocacy, activism, philanthropy and more.

The defender: Kadeisha Buchanan

On the field, Kadeisha Buchanan [player on the national women’s soccer team] is definitely a trailblazer right now for the sport across Canada. She has been shortlisted as a finalist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, was named the Best Young Player in the 2015 Women’s World Cup and won the UEFA Women’s Champions League this year with her team in Europe.

Buchanan is definitely a warrior on the field. The way she understands and reads the game is amazing for a player her age. Her fierce competitiveness really shines bright as a leader on the field. She gives 100 per cent in everything she does, and especially as a black woman coming from Canada, it’s not easy.

From my experience, working with my foundation in our communities and working with inner city kids, especially girls, they really look up to Buchanan as a role model. She’s done a fantastic job, and we’re all proud of her and her achievements. To be a young woman and to take on such a big role and responsibility and to come out of it the way she has is something great to see. It creates a great platform to be a great leader and role model for other girls like her who are growing up with similar experiences as her, to know that they too can achieve greatness in life, whatever that may be.

Next, I want her to win the Ballon d’Or and to one day push Canada to win the World Cup. But whatever it is, I’m very proud of her and how she’s developed as a player and grown as a young woman. I wish her nothing but the best and more accolades. She’s definitely well deserving of it.

Next on the list: Rachel Parent by Adria Vasil

As 2017 comes to a close, we are honouring Toronto’s most inspirational women of the year. Take a look at our 12-part series highlighting the changemakers who are pushing for women’s rights, exposing the inequalities in our city, achieving excellence in what they do and giving back through advocacy, activism, philanthropy and more.

The healer: Dr. Danielle Martin

At Women’s College Hospital, we are driven by a deep commitment to closing the health gaps that exist within our health system. Dr. Danielle Martin has been integral to that work. Her passion for justice and equity in health care is infectious. As one of our family physicians, a nationally sought-after health policy expert and an executive on our leadership team, she has a unique view. She sees the challenges that her patients face on the ground level, and she works to design and implement solutions to those problems.

We weren’t surprised when Senator Sanders invited her to Washington to speak about Canada when they launched “Medicare for All” this fall. Dr. Martin’s work in the U.S. has been focused on myth busting, setting the record straight and educating Americans on why there is so much support for Canada’s publicly funded health system. But she is also quick to talk about the approaches we are taking — and need to take — to address our challenges.

Her book, Better Now: 6 Big Ideas to Improve Health Care for All Canadians, is about the work that remains to be done. It was an instant bestseller, and she is frequently invited to give talks all over the country about her vision for improving health care.

In the hospital sector, we often talk about patient engagement, which is really important. But Dr. Martin has taken it a step further with her commitment to public engagement, appealing to people not as patients, but as citizens. She is building that support both inside and outside the walls of our hospital. We need that public dialogue to take place, and Dr. Martin is helping to lead it.

Next on the list: Kadeisha Buchanan by Dwayne De Rosario