GUELPH – Indira Naidoo-Harris, a former Ontario cabinet minister and well-known journalist and human rights advocate, will be the keynote speaker at the YMCA-YWCA of Guelph’s 25th Anniversary Women of Distinction event.
“This long standing, prestigious event honours women from our community who work tirelessly to break down barriers and build strong communities,” stated Naidoo-Harris, assistant vice-president for diversity and human rights at the University of Guelph, in a press release.
INDIRA NAIDOO-HARRIS
Born in Durban, South Africa, Naidoo-Harris grew up in Alberta and graduated from the University of Lethbridge. She was an award-winning broadcast journalist for media outlets including CBC, and CTV.
A human rights advocate, Naidoo-Harris served in the government of former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne. She was minister of education, minister responsible for early years and childcare, and minister of the status of women.
Naidoo-Harris headed the Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy and the Strategy for Gender-Based Violence.
She also worked on anti-human trafficking legislation, led consultations across the province with women’s and Indigenous groups and victims of violence, and worked with business and government officials on pay equity and other issues.
Naidoo-Harris will be accompanied by 16 honourees from Guelph and Wellington County. Tickets for the May 7 gala, at the River Run Centre, can be purchased at guelphy.org/WOD.
