Hummingbird Award Nomination Categories
DAWN Canada’s Hummingbird Award celebrates the remarkable individuals and organizations whose vision, creativity, and leadership advance the rights, inclusion, and well-being of women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities.
Drawing inspiration from the resilience and energy of the hummingbird, this award honours changemakers across fields—from arts and science to advocacy and community building—whose work transforms systems and uplifts communities.
Nomination Categories
Innovation & Creativity
Celebrates individuals and organizations whose ideas, expressions, and initiatives are transforming inclusion and accessibility across sectors. From creative storytelling and cultural expression to breakthroughs in science, technology, and inclusive finance, nominees demonstrate how innovation and imagination can drive equity, honour diverse traditions, and inspire social change.
Advocacy, Policy & Public Leadership
Honours those who lead transformative change through advocacy, governance, and public service. From advancing the rights and visibility of women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities to shaping equitable policies and strengthening civil society, nominees in this category exemplify leadership that bridges communities, influences institutions, and drives inclusion at local, national, and global levels.
Community & Social Impact
Recognizes individuals and organizations driving meaningful change within communities and public discourse. Through service, advocacy, research, and storytelling, nominees strengthen networks, shift narratives, and build more inclusive, sustainable futures. Their work uplifts women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities – advancing equity across local, national, and global movements.
Leadership Across the Life Course
Celebrates leadership at every stage of life—from emerging youth advocates to lifelong champions of inclusion. Nominees exemplify how change-making evolves through experience, mentorship, and intergenerational collaboration, fostering a legacy of empowerment for women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities.
Special Recognition
Honours exceptional contributions that transcend boundaries and create lasting systems change. From cross-sector collaboration and intersectional impact to transformational leadership, nominees in this category embody visionary approaches that deepen inclusion and redefine what equitable leadership looks like.
