Alumni Digest / U of T / Ideas /
Seven alumni share six YWCA honours
Toronto's 2026 Distinction Awards recognized work in climate justice, midwifery, labour, immigration, law and corporate leadership by U of T graduates.
The seven alumni honoured at the 2026 YWCA Toronto Distinction Awards.Photo: Awesome Photography
The context
Where the work begins
Seven U of T alumni received all six 2026 YWCA Toronto Distinction Awards. Juana Berinstein and Ellen Blais shared the health award for their work at the Association of Ontario Midwives, including support for Indigenous birth practices. Kehkashan Basu received the young leader award for the Green Hope Foundation, which she founded at 12.
The takeaway
What follows
The other recipients work in very different settings. Jenny Ahn was honoured for labour advocacy; Sara Asalya for advancing immigrant women's inclusion. Lawyer Janice Rubin was recognized for addressing workplace harassment. Chinyere Eni received the corporate leadership award for helping women from underrepresented communities advance in their careers.
Source reporting
Seven alumni share six YWCA honours
Original summary by Alumni Digest, based on public source reporting. This independent publication is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Toronto. Source image retained for editorial review; rights clearance is still required before any broader reuse.
