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President and Founder at Women Empowerment Awards Klaudia Zinaty shares about her mission towards women empowerment.

We may be familiar with the quote “Real queens fix each other’s crowns.” But are you aware of a foundation that celebrates this quote in the truest meaning? The Women Empowerment Foundation is a space where women uplift, inspire and celebrate each others’ growth and excellence in their diverse professions.

President and Founder of the Women Empowerment Awards, Klaudia Zinaty is a woman who wears many hats. She is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur and educator, but most importantly an inspiration for how entire communities can flourish when we extend support to each other.

Speaking about her journey of building the female Empowerment Awards, she told Dolce about how she has always been passionate about advocating for women, making their voices heard, recognizing equality and reducing the gender gap. It was during COVID, when she was leading a non-profit with a majority of members who were women, including those who owned businesses, that she recognized the devastating impact the pandemic had on so many amazing women — women who were being laid off because of COVID or staying at home because their kids were not going to school or daycare but were still working relentlessly to keep their businesses going.

She saw their perseverance as they multitasked and dedicated themselves to their many different responsibilities — most significantly, she saw women coming together and supporting each other. They were giving shoutouts on social media, buying from each other and celebrating women’s empowerment in an authentic way. She added, “I wanted to create a platform, a movement that celebrated the essence of what women’s empowerment is all about.”

Reminiscing about her childhood, she shared how she grew up with two sisters and how her parents were often asked about not having a son. Her father would often respond by saying “I have got three strong girls.” The presence of such role models that included a supportive male figure making sure they put themselves first and a strong mother managing a household helped her recognize the limitless potential of women.

She continued to be surrounded by inspiring people throughout high school and university. She would look up to these women whether it was because of their confidence, eloquence or the sheer ability to give back to the community. It is what she learned that she wishes to show young girls in her turn, irrespective of their cultures or backgrounds, to see the endless opportunities that await them.

With the Women Empowerment Awards, women in a range of industries get a chance to network, hear incredible stories that will move them, talk about their own journeys and feel motivated. One of last year’s initiatives was to invite young girls to attend the awards. The foundation connected with four organizations that support young girls from marginalized communities. All the girls were given glamorous makeovers, then came into the room to meet the women working in different industries, an experience that was created to let them know that their dreams weren’t only dreams, but could some day be a reality.

Another heartwarming initiative was to give scholarships to young girls across Canada. Within a month and half of its launch in September 2024, the foundation received around 160 applications and was able to award scholarships to four girls in STEM and entrepreneurship to support their secondary education. The goal is to impact as many young girls and leaders as possible.

“I WANTED TO CREATE A PLATFORM, A MOVEMENT THAT CELEBRATED THE ESSENCE OF WHAT WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT IS ALL ABOUT.”

No successful journey happens without obstacles. The foundation also faced challenges in terms of opportunities, whether that was funding from governments, banks or grants. Many women work the same company all their lives but aren’t able to make it up to the next level. These awards should help them level-up in their careers.

Asked what advice she would like to give, Zinaty added how empowering it is to surround oneself with incredible women, and that one rises by lifting others. Women always acknowledge others, but when do they do it for themselves? She believes that when one woman succeeds we all succeed.

She also said that it is always inspiring to see men supporting women. She emphasized that women are not trying to compete with men but only working towards leveling the playing field.

In the future, Zinaty aspires to take things to the global level. She wishes to empower more and more women in terms of funding more scholarships and new programs and initiatives for young girls to learn new skills and excel at their work.

Her dolce vita is a world where women continue to build each other up, take pain and change it into power, convert struggles into strength and make dreams a reality — in a world where women shine, knowing that the sky’s the limit.

INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO

@klaudiasfashionfix
@thewomenempowermentfoundation
@womenempowermentawards