Brescia celebrates the power of women’s voices at 9th annual Take the Lead public speaking contest
March 31, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
London, ON – Now more than ever it is vitally important for women and girls to have a voice and to be heard.
On Saturday, April 1st, 20 young women from across Ontario will gather at Brescia University College to compete for a one-year full academic scholarship and room in residence – a prize worth over $15,000 – at Brescia’s 9th annual Take the Lead public speaking contest.
Take the Lead welcomes young women in Grades 11 and 12 to participate in Brescia’s unique, one-of-a-kind public speaking contest. Contestants will speak about a past or present “woman/women whose leadership inspires and empowers others.” Contestants submitted an initial pre-recorded, five-minute video of their speech and finalists were invited to deliver their speeches in person at the event.
Brescia will also host 26 judges, who are predominantly local women leaders in education, communications and members of the Brescia community. The final judges’ panel includes: MPP for London West, Peggy Sattler; RBC Regional Vice President, Heather Austin; retired Director of the London District Catholic School Board, Wilma de Rond; CTV London Community Relations Coordinator, Mandi Fields and Brescia’s Vice-Principal and Academic Dean, Dr. Donna Rogers.
“Take the Lead is truly the embodiment of all that we believe in at Brescia – young women answering the call to lead and developing a unique and distinctive voice,” says Brescia Principal, Dr. Susan Mumm. “We are so pleased to be hosting this event for the ninth year at Brescia and to welcome the next generation of bold women leaders to campus.”
For more information, visit http://brescia.uwo.ca/takethelead.
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Photo Opportunity:
Date: Saturday April 1, 2017
Location: Brescia University College, St. James Building Auditorium
Time: 9:30 a.m. – Welcome by Brescia Principal, Dr. Susan Mumm
9:45 – 11:00 a.m. – Preliminary Round Speeches
11:55 a.m. – Finalist Speeches
1:00 p.m. – Winner Announcement
For more information please contact:
Colleen Aguilar, Director, Communications & External Relations at 519-432-8353, ext. 28293 or at colleen.aguilar@uwo.ca, or Caitlin Core, Communications, Marketing & External Relations Officer at 519-432-8353, ext. 28280 or at ccore@uwo.ca.
Brescia University College, Canada’s women’s university college, is affiliated with Western University. The 1,500 women registered as either full- or part-time students at Brescia study a wide variety of subjects in the Schools of Behavioural & Social Sciences, Food & Nutritional Sciences, Humanities and Leadership & Social Change in an empowering, compassionate, student-centred and invigorating environment. Degrees are granted by Western. The Catholic University College welcomes students from all backgrounds and values diversity.