The Women Changing the World Global Awards recently celebrated its third year of honouring exceptional women from across the globe who are creating meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Held in London, England, this prestigious event brought together changemakers from over 2000 nominations worldwide.
Among the cohort of award finalists were five Canadians who ultimately received a gold or silver award for their transformative work and commitment to their communities.
Included in the list of Canadian winners was Kingsville native Lynn McLaughlin who won an award for her work in the Women In Education – Adult Education & Training category.
The two-day event featured its well-known Ambassadors, Sarah, Duchess of York, and renowned scholar and humanitarian Dr. Tererai Trent.
Both attended the awards ceremony, with the Duchess of York making a special appearance at the evening gala to deliver remarks and recognize the honourees.
In a personal highlight, McLaughlin donated a set of her Power of Thought books to Dr. Trent for a library she is currently building in Africa.
The Women Changing the World summit offered a vibrant platform for knowledge-sharing and connection.
“We learned a great deal from each other,” said McLaughlin who emphasized the lasting impact of the global network of women that remain connected even after the conclusion of the summit.
A lifelong educator with over 35 years of experience—ranging from classroom teacher to principal to superintendent, McLaughlin has seen firsthand the mounting mental health challenges faced by children and youth.
McLaughlin’s mission is clear: to proactively build emotional resilience in children, not just respond when crises arise.
“My ultimate vision is to ignite a global movement where children’s emotional well-being is prioritized in classrooms, homes, and communities,” she said.
This mission is the driving force behind her growing platform as an award-winning author, speaker and host of the Taking the Helm podcast.
Her work, co-developed with her niece Amber Raymond who holds a Master of Social Work degree and is a practicing clinician, is already making tangible impacts:
Empowering Families:
Following a school engagement event, a parent shared how tools learned from Lynn and Amber helped transform her family’s communication, leading to a more open and connected home environment.
Impacting Generations:
A grandmother who read The Power of Thought with her grandchildren reported discovering and implementing emotional regulation techniques that have changed her approach to grandparenting forever.
Transforming Classrooms:
A Grade 3 teacher who integrated techniques from the Taking the Helm podcast saw a decrease in classroom disruptions and an increase in students using emotionally intelligent language in their interactions.
Such stories illustrate a broader movement toward emotional literacy and are evidence of the success of Lynn’s work in fostering positive mental health and well-being across age groups.
Recognizing that change must start early and be supported by the adults in a child’s life, McLaughlin and Raymond advocate for a shared responsibility model. According to them, we must equip not only children but also the teachers, parents, and community leaders who support them. This approach supports an environment where well-being becomes a shared responsibility across generations.
McLaughlin hopes to inspire others to adopt a more holistic, proactive approach to mental health. “We ride the waves to calmer waters,” she said, reflecting her personal motto.
And with each wave she rides, families, classrooms, and communities are moving closer to that calm, resilient future.
For more information about the Women Changing the World Awards, visit wcwawards.com.
To learn more about Lynn McLaughlin, visit her social media links:
