Pam McConnell Award for Young Women in Leadership

Applications for the 2027 Pam McConnell Award for Young Women in Leadership will open Friday, November 20, 2026.

Councillor Pam McConnell image
Pam McConnell

 

Pam McConnell will be remembered as a tireless advocate for women’s rights and social justice in the City of Toronto. She was a member of Toronto City Council from 1994 to 2017 and was the former Chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Standing Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in Municipal Government. She was the Champion for the City of Toronto’s Protégée Program, a mentorship program matching young women with City Councillors intending to increase women’s representation in electoral politics.

The Pam McConnell Award for Young Women in Leadership was created in 2018 in memory of the late Deputy Mayor, who passed away in the fall of 2017. Throughout her career, Pam McConnell was a social justice advocate and worked tirelessly to increase women’s participation in municipal government. She was the Champion for the City of Toronto’s Protégée Program, a mentorship program matching young women with City Councillors and City staff intending to increase women’s representation in electoral politics.

In an effort to honour Pam McConnell’s legacy, the Toronto Youth Cabinet (TYC) has collaborated with the Youth Development Unit to present this annual award. The award is open to young Toronto women, between the ages of 16 and 29, who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a commitment to social justice and inspire other young women.

The Award is open to women-identifying young people residing in the City of Toronto, between the ages of 16 and 29 upon the application deadline who:

  • Have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills through a proven track record of volunteer and/or paid work in the community-based sector
  • Have shown a commitment to social justice work through creating or leading community-based programs or services for vulnerable youth or residents in Toronto
  • Have inspired other young women through formal or informal mentorship

We would like to extend a very gracious thank you to Heather Ann for her support and honouring the legacy of her mother, Pam McConnell.

Thank you to the Selection Committee which was comprised of Heather Ann McConnell, community leaders, members from the Toronto Youth Cabinet and City staff.

Previous Award Recipients

Award Recipient Year
Angelika Bell

Aishane Ganeshwaran

 2025
Tara Currie

Hanen Nanaa

 2023
Hannia Cheng

Fatoumat Jikineh

 2020
Alyssa Luttenberger

Ishita Aggarwal

 2019
Talisha Ramsaroop

Yusra Khogali

 2018
Date modified: November 6, 2026