Our Community Ignited

WiDS began with a spark, an idea to bring women and men together from across Canada’s defence and security community to recognize, elevate, and celebrate women’s contributions to our shared mission of national service.

On February 25, 2027, we will honour that spark and the extraordinary community it ignited. The Annual Awards Breakfast returns to the Rogers Centre and will be broadcast live to a virtual audience nationwide.

2027 Theme

Defence and security are central to Canada’s future, and women’s voices are shaping that future in vital, visible ways. This year’s theme celebrates the energy that fuels WiDS: women and allies who lift each other, share knowledge, spark bold ideas, and lead with purpose. Together, we form a community that burns bright and continues to inspire progress across our nation.

This year’s event will feature the celebration of the 2027 Remarkable Leader cohort as well as the presentation of the WiDS Mentor of the Year Award, an Allyship Award, a new Corporate Champion Award, the WiDS & Canadian Global Affairs Institute Fellowship, and two(2) $10,000 WiDS Scholarships supporting the next generation of leaders in defence and security. In order to make a submission for someone to be recognized as a Remarkable Leader or Corporate Champion, your team or organization must buy a table or 10 virtual tickets to the WiDS Breakfast. 

About the WiDS Scholarship

The WiDS Scholarship recognizes exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and a demonstrated commitment to contributing to Canada’s defence and security sectors.

• Applications open: October 14, 2026
• Submission deadline: December 31, 2026
• Recipient notified: Late January 2027

The recipient will be honoured and presented the award at the 2027 WiDS Annual Awards Breakfast.

The applications portal is open.
 

Links to submit applications and nominations for the these awards will be provided at a later date.

• WiDS Mentor of the Year
  • Honours a mentor who opened doors, shared knowledge, and supported a mentee’s growth.
• WiDS Allyship Award
  • Celebrates an ally of any gender identity who champions women in Canadian defence and security. Recognizes lasting impact over time, not just the past year. Self-nominations welcome.
• Remarkable Leader and Corporate Champion Award
  • ​To make submissions your organization must buy a table or 10 virtual tickets to the WiDS Breakfast.