When I first started working at EcoEquitable 4 years ago, I heard the sentiment that sewing is a dying trade a lot - Who wants to learn to sew? What kind of jobs even exist for trained sewists? What exactly do you do here?

Long story short: EcoEquitable was founded over 20 years ago by a woman named Lucile Champagne, who was a French Catholic nun, a trained psychotherapist, and the first female chaplain of Saint Paul University. One day, so the story goes, the women's support group she organized received a donation of sewing machines. After learning how to use them, they began to take on work in the community, and Lucile quickly realized that when women came together - shoulder to shoulder - over a shared passion and dignified work, magic happens: social networks form, they earn income to support their families, and confidence blooms.

Today, Lucile's legacy continues. Every year, we equip 20-25 women (primarily newcomer women or women facing barriers such as living with a disability, health challenges, or low income) with professional sewing skills. We view our program like an incubator and safe space, where diverse women come together, build their networks, confidence, and start to envision their next chapter.

To date, our alumni have completed over 75 paid contracts in the community - creating locally-made products with sustainable fabric sourced right from our very own fabric boutique, while earning an income for themselves and their families. Some have gone on to find employment in the sector or start their own business. Turns out, the sewing community in Ottawa is thriving more than ever.

In the words of one of our alumni, "After 13 years being at home, I've come out of my brain freeze. I thought "I am not able to do something," but I was wrong. I can still learn and grow."

This year, as I reach my 4th year leading this organization, and my 4th year running in the Tamarack Race Weekend, I set a new goal to run my first full marathon. That's 42.2km! I've never ran that far before. I'm not sure I can do it. But I'm inspired to try because I've seen proof every day of what happens when you show up - even when you don't feel ready, and when you take your next step anyway.

Join me by donating to this incredible, truly "small but mighty" organization that transforms lives by creating spaces for possibility.