Last week, our Executive Director, Lesley, had the privilege of speaking at the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership’s 2025 Diversity Day, an inspiring gathering of local agencies, focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in our communities. Lesley spoke about how inclusion begins with courage, not perfection – encouraging us to take imperfect action, share power, and create spaces where everyone has a voice, access, and a sense of belonging.

In case you missed it, here’s a glimpse of the powerful words Lesley shared — a call to courage, inclusion, and amplifying every voice:

When I was first asked to speak at this event, my immediate thought was, “Am I really qualified to talk about this?” As a white, cisgender, heterosexual woman from rural Eastern Ontario, I didn’t see myself as an “expert” in diversity.

But then it hit me — that hesitation, that self-doubt — was exactly what I needed to talk about.

Because so many of us, especially women, carry that same internal voice that whispers: “Who am I to speak up?” That voice, quiet but powerful, is one of the biggest barriers to inclusion and leadership.

Feminism as a Lens for Inclusion

At Girls Inc. of Upper Canada, our work is rooted in a simple but transformative belief: every girl deserves the opportunity to grow up strong, smart, and bold.

Viewing DEI through a feminist lens means asking big questions:

• Who has power — and who doesn’t?
• Whose voices are missing from the conversation?
• And how do we design systems that truly share power and opportunity?

Inclusion isn’t theoretical — it’s tangible. It happens in daily choices: the way we listen, the way we remove barriers, the way we make space for others to belong.

For example, this past summer a family reached out asking for a camp subsidy. As we talked, it became clear that the barrier wasn’t just cost — it was access. Their daughter didn’t have sports equipment, or even proper shoes to attend. Through our community connections, we were able to find her a spot, provide what she needed, and make sure she felt ready to belong.

Inclusion isn’t just about opening the door — it’s about making sure someone has what they need to walk through it confidently.

Progress Over Perfection

Two key ideas guide me in this work:

• Doing something is better than doing nothing.
• Perfectionism holds us back, while progress moves us forward.

Equity work doesn’t require perfection or expertise. It requires courage, empathy, and the willingness to take imperfect but meaningful action.

At Girls Inc., we see this every day. When a girl speaks up for the first time, leads a group activity, or stands up for a peer; those moments might seem small, but they are powerful acts of leadership and inclusion.

Challenging the Confidence Gap

Research shows that women are far less likely to apply for a job unless they meet 100% of the qualifications, while men often apply when they meet just 60%. Similarly, women are less likely to consider running for political office, even when they have equal experience and credentials, unless they are actively encouraged to do so.

This isn’t a reflection of ability. It’s a reflection of conditioning.

Girls and women are taught, often subtly, to be careful, prepared, and accommodating — and that pressure to be “perfect” can silence potential before it even begins.

That’s why we create spaces where girls can practice leadership early — where they learn that speaking up isn’t bossy, it’s brave. That mistakes aren’t failures, they’re learning moments. And that they already have everything they need to lead — right now.

Voice, Access, and Belonging

At Girls Inc., our work is guided by three principles:

• Voice – Every girl deserves to be heard and taken seriously.
• Access – Equity means removing barriers, not lowering expectations.
• Belonging – Inclusion isn’t just being invited; it’s knowing you are wanted and truly have a place.

When girls experience voice, access, and belonging, they become confident, curious, and bold. And when our communities model those same values, everyone benefits.

Imperfect Action, Real Change

A few years ago, I read White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao. It was uncomfortable and confronting — and exactly what I needed.

The authors reminded me that good intentions aren’t enough. Real change means examining our biases, confronting our complicity, and taking imperfect action.

That’s what this work really is — messy, human, and ongoing. You will make mistakes. You will feel uncomfortable. But discomfort is part of growth.

So as I shared at Diversity Day, and as I remind myself daily, you don’t need the perfect plan or the perfect words to make change. You just need the courage to act.

At Girls Inc., we tell every girl:

• You are strong.
• You are smart.
• You are bold.
• And you belong.

Let’s make sure that message isn’t just for girls — it’s for everyone in our communities. Because real change happens when we show up imperfectly, courageously, and together.