Windsor, ON – More than 300 women came together yesterday for the annual Celebrating Women Who Inspire Us luncheon, marking the 10th anniversary of Women United and raising more than $35,000 — and counting — to support local students through United Way’s On Track to Success.
Presented by LiUNA!625, the inspiring event celebrated the power of women coming together to create lasting change for young people across Windsor-Essex County. Guests were moved by a keynote address from Lynn McLaughlin, whose message encouraged attendees to continue lifting up the next generation through mentorship, opportunity, and community support. She urged everyone in the room to pledge to do just one thing to support our youth. When combined, these single acts would turn a ripple into a tidal wave of action.
Women United is an inclusive, vibrant community of change-makers bound together by a sense of belonging – to each other and to our community. Funds raised by Women United are designated to On Track to Success, a Cradle to Career program that provides mentorship, financial and transportation assistance, mental health supports, and other wraparound services that help local youth achieve a key milestone to stay in high school and graduate on time.
“This event was a powerful celebration of what can happen when women come together with a shared purpose,” said Lorraine Goddard, CEO United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent. “For 10 years, Women United has been changing lives through connection, generosity, and a commitment to helping students succeed.”
Over the past 10 years, Women United has not only raised $850,000 for On Track to Success, but the members have also served as mentors for the students and participate in activities like taking them back-to-school shopping to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful and graduate regardless of their circumstances.
Special thanks were extended to presenting sponsor LiUNA!625 and event sponsor Clear Medical Imaging for helping make the celebration possible.
To learn more about Women United visit www.weareunited.com/womenunited
To learn more about Cradle to Career visit www.weareunited.com/cradle-to-career
United Way Media Contact:
Dina Misur – Manager, Marketing and Communications
[email protected] | M :519-567-8735
Last updated on July 21, 2026
