Meet Our 2019 Women of the Year!

The athletes, environmentalists, record-breakers and all-around amazing women who are making Canada—and the world—a better place.

By Chatelaine

November 29, 2019

(Photos: Carter Fish, Ashley Rodgers/Texas Tech University, Linda Roy of Ireva Photography; Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

"Part of giving back means lifting as I climb." That's a quote from 2019 Women of the Year honouree Candace Thomas, a Halifax-based lawyer who, earlier this year, became the first woman—and woman of colour—to chair Dalhousie University's board of governors. Thomas is talking about her own commitment to giving back to the faculty and students of her alma mater, but it's a goal that's shared by all of the unstoppable, audacious women we're honouring this year. It's also a goal that's close to our hearts here at Chatelaine.

In the magazine and on our website, we are privileged to have a platform to elevate the voices of Canadian women from coast to coast. We have a year-round commitment to highlighting those who are making our country, and our world, a better place—one research paper, NAFTA negotiation and zero-waste household at a time—and there's no better way to mark another 365 days of doing so than by celebrating our 2019 Women of the Year.

Read on to learn more about this year's honourees. And as we move forward into 2020, let's continue to climb—and lift—together.

Amanda Jetté Knox

Amanda Jetté Knox is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for her bestselling memoir and ongoing LGBTQ+ advocacy. Read more about Amanda here.

(Photo: Katie Trinque, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Bianca Andreescu

Bianca Andreescu is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for making history as the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles title. Read more about Bianca here.

(Photo: Genesis Bonilla, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Katharine Hayhoe

Katharine Hayhoe is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for being a relentless (and reasonable!) voice on climate change. Read more about Katharine here.

(Photo: Ashley Rodgers/Texas Tech University, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Dr. Connie Eaves

Dr. Connie Eaves is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for her award-winning research on leukemia and breast cancer. Read more about Dr. Eaves here.

(Photo: Courtesy of the University of British Columbia, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Candace Thomas

Candace Thomas is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for being the first woman—and first woman of colour—to be elected to chair Dalhousie University's Board of Governors. Read more about Candace here.

(Photo: Smith & Whitton, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Margaret Trudeau

Margaret Trudeau is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for authentically speaking her truth. Read more about Margaret here.

(Photo: Benoît Rosseau, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Sarah Keast

Sarah Keast is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for tackling grief—and the stigma around the opioid crisis—head on. Read more about Sarah here.

(Photo: Jen Linfield, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Andrea Baillie

Andrea Baillie is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for being the first woman to lead The Canadian Press. Read more about Andrea here.

(Photo: Tijuana Martin, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Lauren Chan

Lauren Chan is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for launching a plus-size workwear line that helps all women look, and feel, professional. Read more about Lauren here.

(Photo: Carter Fish, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Jay Grewal

Jay Grewal is a Chatelaine Woman of the Year for being Manitoba Hydro's first female president and CEO. Read more about Jay here.

(Photo: Courtesy of Manitoba Hydro, Illustration: Maia Faddoul)

Jody Wilson-Raybould, Jane Philpott and Celina Caesar-Chavannes

Jody Wilson-Raybould, Jane Philpott and Celina Caesar-Chavannes are Chatelaine Women of the Year for standing up for what they believed in. Read more about Jody, Jane and Celina here.