The fifth Mother Daughter Empower Conference and Awards on Sunday, March 9 was attended by local dignitaries, members of the community and more than 25 female-led and girl-boss vendors.
“It was my honour to attend ... to recognize the significant impact women have on our community, and to inspire young women to be brave and bold and always reach for their goals,” said Mayor Lynn Dollin.
“As a mother, and now a grandmother to my daughter’s beautiful baby girl, this event provided a tremendous opportunity to empower, connect and support women and girls to reach for the stars.”
Dollin and Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, who was holding her infant daughter in her arms, presented opening remarks at the event, held at the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library's Lakeshore branch, while Deputy Mayor Kenneth Fowler and councillors Grace Constantine and Jennifer Richardson looked on from the crowd.
There was entertainment and discussions among panellists and a fireside chat with Anna Sinclair, founder and chief executive officer of Sinclair Creative Agency, which was the presenting sponsor of the event.
“As an impact agency and the presenting sponsor ... Sinclair Creative Agency ... is proud to strengthen relationships and the impact we can all make to support the next generation of leaders and remind young girls that they are enough,” said Sinclair.
Sinclair knows the importance of knowing your worth, as she is an award-winning entrepreneur, angel investor, speaker and mom.
“Today was truly inspiring," she said.
Seven-year-old Ariella M. was selected from seven finalists as the 2025 Empower Girl of the Year. She won prizes valued at over $500.
“It’s so great to be in a room of people who understand how important it is to pour into our young girls early. I wish I could of attended something like this with my mom when I was that age,” said Cheryl Sutherland, a vendor at the event as the founder of Please Notes.
The Mother Daughter Empower (MDE) organization was co-founded by Tara Filteau and her daughter, Sophia Ghafoori, in 2019 when Ghafoori was just seven years old.
Since then, MDE has become a registered charity and Filteau — who is a registered social service worker (RSSW) as well as the executive director of MDE — previously explained MDE provides workshops as well as one-on-one mentorship, coaching, and counselling. While other companies or charities may offer a limited number of sessions to individuals, MDE supports individuals for a 12-month period.
"I am so proud of everyone who took part in this year's conference and awards," Filteau said. "We received incredible feedback. I am especially proud of the award nominees who walked the stage this year; these girls are the reason why we do what we do.
"It’s so important to celebrate young girls and their achievements and for other girls to see them and know that they, too, can do anything they set their minds to," she added. "Empowering all women and girls to reach their full potential is what this event is all about, it truly does take a village to pave the way for the next generation."
Learn more about MDE by visiting its website.