As my internship comes to an end, I would like to sincerely express my thanks to the Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation for funding this incredible opportunity.
This internship experience has opened many doors for me and will positively influence both my academic and professional trajectory. This fall, I will be entering my final year at 91丝瓜视频, completing my Honours degree in International Development Studies and Political Science. I am deeply passionate about Canadian foreign and domestic affairs and the role our country plays on the global stage. Although I have not yet had the opportunity to travel, having grown up in both rural Saskatchewan and Montreal has shaped my understanding of the privileges and challenges of Canadian society. Beyond academics, I am committed to my community and believe civil society organizations play a crucial role in driving change where political spaces often fall short. In my free time, I volunteer at local women鈥檚 shelters and explore Montreal.
I entered with several learning objectives. I wanted to establish a centralized database to organize key MCW documents, assist with planning the 2025 National Council of Women鈥檚 AGM and Conference, and coordinate social and educational events to strengthen my skills in stakeholder engagement. I also hoped to gain experience in policy research, advocacy material development, social media management, and donor engagement. Most importantly, I wanted to learn from accomplished women leaders in government, academia, and the nonprofit sector, bridging my academic studies with realistic, hands-on community-based work.
Founded in 1893, the Montreal Council of Women is a non-partisan, inclusive, and diverse federation of individuals and organizations dedicated to improving social conditions, especially for women, children, families, and communities. Its mission is to influence public policy, advocate for equality, and provide educational programming on contemporary issues. MCW is affiliated with the National Council of Women of Canada and, through it, the International Council of Women, which holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
MCW addresses issues ranging from health and homelessness to environmental sustainability, digital safety, racism, and human trafficking. It organizes monthly educational events, drafts letters and petitions to influence municipal policy, and builds coalitions among federated members, which include organizations such as Chez Doris, Women Aware, and the Native Women鈥檚 Shelter of Montreal. For over 130 years, MCW has been a catalyst for social progress, uniting women across sectors to advance equity and inclusion
From May onward, I worked on multiple projects. My first responsibility was establishing a centralized digital drive to store resolutions, meeting minutes, mandates, event descriptions, financials, membership lists, and other procedural documents. I digitized archival records to ensure future board members could easily access and preserve the Council鈥檚 history.
I also supported planning for the National Council of Women鈥檚 AGM and Conference, held in Montreal from May 29 to June 1, 2025. My tasks ranged from setting up signage and coordinating logistics to serving as a scrutineer during resolution votes. Being present throughout the event allowed me to connect with members across Canada, exchange ideas on youth engagement, and experience the Council鈥檚 national influence firsthand.
Additionally, I planned community events, including one addressing the decline in English-language educational rights under Bills 21, 40, and 96. To strengthen youth involvement, I launched MCW鈥檚 Instagram and LinkedIn pages, producing daily posts on awareness days and women鈥檚 history milestones. I also drafted two policy resolutions: one on implementing a wealth tax and another on addressing the risks of the dark web and unregulated AI.
The highlight of my internship was participating in the NCWC鈥檚 AGM and meeting inspiring women from across Canada. I also connected with Andrew Cadell, a former Canadian diplomat who advocates for English-speaking minority rights in Quebec. These conversations encouraged me to envision my own role in diplomacy and reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing graduate studies in international affairs.
One challenge I faced was drafting resolutions on complex topics such as a wealth tax, which required careful research, meetings with experts, and analysis of feasibility and equity. Another was staying motivated during remote workdays, which I overcame by maintaining structure and prioritizing balance through movement and outdoor time.
I was nominated to join the board of directors, and I am now serving as the Vice President of the Status of Women for the council. In this role, I will be organizing the Council鈥檚 annual Montreal Woman of the Year Award and collaborating with other provincial councils to draft resolutions on women鈥檚 rights to be presented at the United Nations. This internship not only solidified my aspiration to pursue a career in foreign affairs and one day represent Canada as a Foreign Service Officer, but it also deepened my understanding of the impact grassroots advocacy can have in shaping broader policy landscapes. It further inspired me to pursue a master鈥檚 in international affairs as the next step in my academic and professional journey.
As a recipient of the Goodman Family Internships Award, I want to thank the Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation for making this opportunity possible. I have always had to balance school with work to cover my expenses, and without this support, I would not have been able to pursue this life-changing internship. For that, I am deeply grateful!
