My mom has always accepted me and my non-conformity and has supported me throughout all of my growing pains and life lessons.
Always encouraging me to be unique, strong and bold while teaching me to choose my battles and to make my strong sense of justice be heard productively in order to make a difference. Having a daughter who is queer in terms of gender and sexuality is not always easy for mothers in our society, still today, but she has never once complained, quite the opposite, she has been my #1 supporter and taught me to fight for what I believe in with respect, understanding and empathy towards others. She has truly been an anchor and an inspiration as a strong woman and as a loyal and accepting mother.

Suniti Khosla is one of the brightest lights of my life. I met her 33 years ago when she was a program officer with Canada World Youth/Jeunesse Canada Monde. Her ability to be completely present, her gentle facilitation as I moved through my growing pains, her ability to see within me, the leadership potential I could not yet perceive in myself, and her choice to champion me through various opportunities, set the groundwork for the influence I have had in several positions across many career field. Suniti is a woman whose great mind and heart exudes a peaceful wisdom and spirituality embraced by a deep commitment to social justice and human rights. She touches the hearts of everyone she meets and has influenced thousands of youth. A piece of her spirit lives in my heart and sculpts me to be a better, caring and loving personl.

Jessica is an inspiration!
Where to start?
Jessica has a tremendously grounded sense of who she is for her 14 years.
"Jess" combines creativity, athleticism and is so bright. She is a gifted athelete: rugby player, runner, hockey goalie. She is a successful student: smart and focused. She is a talented drummer/ musician...and all around super person.
Jessica's future is very bright.
She loves and is loved and celebrated by her family and many friends.
I know I am one of a long list of people who would nominate Jessica as a Spark!
Go Jess! You inspire me!

Raji is the best sister, best friend, best human I have been blessed to have in my life. She works tirelessly towards many causes, often behind the scenes and although her efforts often go unrecognized, the causes she works for benefit greatly. She is a woman of the times and helps all those around her. She was invited to her first leadership conference at the age of five. She represented the kindergarden classes of the lower mainland in a day conference at Silver Star Mountain. Her first documentary on encouraging elementary schools to include English as a Second Language their curriculums was released in 1996 when she was in Grade 6. This documentary has been airing ever since all over the west coast and she still acts as the face of this cause. As a result, most schools in Vernon have a ESL program integrated for new immigrants and students. By Grade 11, Raji garnered a strong reputation in leadership, anti-racism, multiculturalism and education. She was among the top ten Grade 11 female students in British Columbia selected by the Minerva Foundation to participate in a week-long Learning to Lead conference at the University of British Columbia. It was the first conference of its kind and has since been operating annually. She was awarded the Millennium Scholarship and ten other scholarships at her high school graduation as well as top all around honors and awards. She moved to Toronto to pursue education in journalism. Her move to Toronto and progression ironically resulted in a severe depression and backlash. She moved to Toronto right after our grandfather, Darshan Singh, passed away. He was our everything. Raji had an experience that hindered her ambitions and motivation but she kept fighting internally and externally. Although she was struggling so much with her own life, she never let this be known to any of her friends or family. She has been the formidable support system to people all over the world. Several individuals have recognized her as the sole reason for moving forward after experiencing difficult times. Whether getting a drug dealer out of gangs and into leadership committees or suicidal individuals into healthier practices, Raji has been making a change one person at a time. Recently, she quit her job and moved to India to shoot a documentary on educating the girl child. She taught workshops and mentored young girls and boys. This is a cause that has changed her life and contributed to her victory over depression. I love her and know that she will be affecting the lives of thousands of people. She is not only my best friend and sister but my angel, my inspiration and my motivation. Nobody can really describe her because it would sound really fake; like no one can be that amazing but she is. I'm so proud of her in everything she has done and everything she has accomplished.

Even though younger than I, she has shown me ways to grow and improve on my practice. She inspires many in the Aboriginal communities and is a eager and attentive listener. Enhancing those listening skills is the ability to take what she has heard, digest it and offer suggestions without giving her opinion, allowing one to formulate decisions.

She is the mother of 2, wife, entrepreneur, mentor, sister and friend.

Marie Josee is one of Canada's most brilliant communicators.
She is also one of the most generous and kind women I have ever met in business or elsewhere.She shares her time and mentors : she is a true leader.

She walks into a room and fills it with infectious energy. Linda’s generous spirit, social savvy and constant thoughtfulness is what binds together our family, her circle of friends, and all those she touches professionally. She is funny, quirky, smart and quick to make friends. Linda is my incessant cheerleader, especially when I don’t believe in myself. Her unconditional love is my bedrock. My little sister and dear friend is simply ‘maj’ and just plain loveable!

Theresa tirelessly works with children and adults with special needs, as well as at home to keep our parents safe, happy and well cared for. She does so, often, without thought to her own needs or desires and always has a smile for those she meets in everyday life.

My aunty Valerie has always been a huge part of my life. She is my moms younger sister and my favorite aunty and who she is and how she conducts herself has been a guide for me my entire life. When I was 15 years old my mom passed away. My aunty stepped in and filled a set of shoes that were virtually impossible to fill. She cooked me supper every week and we would flop on her couch to watch silly teen dramas on tv. She would listen to me cry. She would debate with me and challenge my way of thinking. She would hold my hand when I was making hard decisions. When I graduated highschool I could hear her cheering for me as I walked across the stage. She sheltered me when I had no place to stay. She kicked my but when it needed kicking. She loved me regardless of how I might have hurt her. My aunty Valerie has always been an honest, kind, loving women. She is trustworthy and dependable and all the other things I always wanted to be when I grew up. My mom couldn't have known that she wouldn' tbe there for my entire growing up years, but she made sure that my relationship with her little sister was strong enough to help me when I needed it. My aunty is very much like my mom. But, she is very different too. My aunt had a proffesional career more than mom ever did. And so my aunt modeled to me different life options as I was growing up. I lived with my aunty when she had very young children. I watched her mother them. I find myself striving to be like her with my own children. She has no idea how much big a spark she has been in my life. We don't live close to each other and we hardly ever see each other. But, often when big things happen in my fie, my aunt is one fo the first people I want to share with. My aunty isn't famous. She isn't weathly. She is just the best person I know. She is still all the things I want to be when I grow up. She sets the bar I stive for. And I know, my mom would be happy with my goals.