Denise Doyle: Purpose through Passion

It is the early 1970’s. You can hear women’s voices chanting in unity; you can feel the sisterhood. This is Denise Doyle’s earliest memory – attending her first women’s rights protest with her mother by her side. This fond memory ignited Denise’s passion: women’s rights and advocacy.

Denise is the current CEO of the YWCA Hamilton, which is a women-led service organization that provides health and wellness programs for women, families, seniors and people with special needs. The YWCA Hamilton advocates for the improved status of women locally and through affiliation with YWCA Canada. With 33 member organizations operating in more than 400 districts and communities across the country, the YWCA Canada is the country’s oldest and largest women's multi-service organization. These programs reach out to 1 million women and girls across the country.

Denise’s passion and dedication to the quest of women’s rights fits perfectly with the mission, vision and values of the YWCA. Her work at the YWCA challenges her to be innovative in finding community resources, empowering the staff of the organization and mobilizing her community.

Denise studied Textile Engineering at Mohawk College in 1982 and fifteen years later, went on to study Occupational Health and Safety and Safety Systems in Law at Ryerson University. She pursued further professional development through courses in human resources, anti-racism change work, and governance training. In 2010, Denise was awarded the Agnes Macphail Award for her contributions to the advancement of women and women’s issues. In the same year, she was also awarded the Hamilton-Wentworth Elementary Teachers Award for her tireless work as a community and labour activist. Her passion is contagious, as her efforts continue to inspire others around her.

Denise has volunteered with a number of organizations such as the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the Status of Women Committee (City of Hamilton), Immigrant Women’s Centre Facilitating Inclusion Program, and Elect More Women. Despite committing so much of her time to various community initiatives, Denise was still able to play a pivotal role in the Elect More Women campaign, a campaign which she helped develop. She is the current co-chair of the Elect More Women campaign and explains that her goal is to see more women participate in politics not only as candidates, but as volunteers on campaigns as well.

Elect More Women provides women with the necessary education, skills and tools required to be active in politics. Denise has a vision to see more women in this arena “at any decision-making table you can make an impact. You just need the skills, resources and awareness to get involved. Women bring a different point of view around the table and it is important that a woman’s perspective is heard from all political parties.” Denise believes that in order to have a healthy democracy, everyone must have an equal voice that will impact the community and country. She emphasizes the importance of encouraging young women, a demographic that is important in making this process successful. To date, Elect More Women has trained over one thousand women.

In thinking about the women of tomorrow, Denise shared a story that truly touched her. It was of a young girl from the YWCA’s Girls Space program, which provides young females with opportunities to participate in group activities focusing on self-esteem, body image and self expression. The program provides a place for these girls to have a voice and become leaders in their own communities. Denise remembers one young girl who joined the program. She was extremely shy and quiet. She was new to Canada and Hamilton. This young girl had come with her family from Pakistan to begin their new lives here. Denise recalls that this young girl did not engage with any young people in the city and was having trouble making friends. The girl’s mother decided to encourage her daughter to join the YWCA Girls Space program. After completing the program, this young girl began to show more confidence and even joined her school council to engage with her classmates and make new friends. This transformation made her mother very proud and she wrote a personal letter to Denise thanking her for helping her daughter which included the wonderful line “Thank you for helping my daughter to finally feel included in Canada.” It is this inclusion, support and friendship that Denise fosters in all of her relationships.

In every role that Denise embraces, her passion is obvious. She focuses on trying to provide young women with a chance to lead and excel in their lives. She believes that her contribution is anything that she can do to assist young women, “They will be there for me when I’m old, so if I can inspire passion – if I can do this, I feel like I’ve done my job.”

Denise has done her job. I have been fortunate enough to be one of the young women that Denise has worked with. She is a true mentor, leader and most of all, a friend. She has provided me with the confidence, knowledge and skills that I will need to continue my journey in advocating for women’s rights.

Denise left with me some words of wisdom which I will always cherish, “Always remember that when a woman’s voice is heard, she can transform her life and those around her. Find your passion and create a wave of change in your own community and empower others to do the same. When someone tells you that all women are equal – acknowledge your privilege and continue to work for women's equity and equality around the globe. We still have a long way to go.”

Although we have a long way to go, these are timeless words for all women, as we are inspired by leaders like Denise to find our purpose through passion.

Written by Priya Verma

Edited by Lucinda Atwood