Save the Date!
Saturday, March 7 @ St.Thomas Seniors’ Centre from 9am – 3pm
The YWCA St. Thomas–Elgin is proud to stand as part of a global movement dedicated to uplifting women and families. For more than a century—since 1902—we’ve championed the strength, resilience, and potential of our community by offering programs that help women, and youth rise from dependency to confidence and self-sufficiency. From childcare and aquatics to life skills training, youth independence, poverty intervention, and housing supports, our mission has always been the same: to spark growth, nurture leadership, and create opportunities for every individual to thrive.
To continue meeting the growing needs of our community, we rely on the power of coming together—and our Annual Women’s Day is one of our most meaningful ways to do just that. We extend heartfelt gratitude to all who have joined us in past years. Your presence, your energy, and your belief in this work fuel our ability to make real, lasting change.
This year, we’re thrilled to offer an inspiring lineup of dynamic workshops, a light breakfast, a delicious lunch, and a remarkable Guest Speaker who will ignite your spirit and celebrate the strength of women everywhere. Together, we will learn, connect, and fuel the momentum that drives us forward.
Join us—and be part of something powerful.
Proudly sponsored by
Special thanks also to our anonymous Venue Rental Sponsor.
How it Works
1) Starting Jan 19th register for the event by clicking REGISTER HERE button or call YWCA (519) 631-9800 during office hours. When registering online, you will be required to log into Active Ticketing System or set up a new account. If you have any questions, please contact us at (519) 631-9800.
2) Sign up for up to 3 workshops and select lunch menu during registration.
Feeling lucky? You could WIN a door prize or our 50/50 draw during the event. (cash, debit or credit accepted)
Light Breakfast
To start your day we invite you to the main hall to enjoy coffee, tea, fruit and pastries. Sponsored by Metcalfe Gardens Retirement Residence.
You heard it! Lasagna Lunch is Back!
Lunch Option #1: Gluten-Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian Lasagna
Lunch Option #2: Meat Lasagna
Salad Options:
Caesar Salad (with gluten, meat & dairy)
Garden Salad
Dinner Roll Options:
Gluten-free
Non-gluten free
About our Guest Speaker Mary Lou Smoke
Elder-in-Residence at the Wampum Learning Lodge, Western University
Mary Lou Smoke is an Anishinawbe Kwe from Batchawana Bay. She loves to share her culture and Traditional Teachings through story telling and Traditional Drumming Songs.
Being a resident of London Ontario for almost 50 years – her husband Dan Baa and her have had the pleasure of creating radio programs at CHRW for 33 years on a weekly basis. During this time, they also appeared on CTV for 20 years – giving the 8 million viewers watching – the opportunity to know more about the Indigenous people’s of Turtle Island issues and happenings.
She has been teaching people how to sing and drum since the early 90’s. When using our drums, the sound represents the heartbeat of our mother the earth and is the reason why so many people are drawn to it.
Additional Acheivements Include:
- The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Forest City Music Awards in 2019
- Woman of Distinction by the YMCA in 2013 for her contributions to music, education, and the arts
- Two honorary doctorates: a Doctorate in Natural Laws from Noble University (2014) and a Doctor of Laws from Western University (2022)
- Elder-in-Residence at the Wampum Learning Lodge at Western University (2026-2027)
Come and join us on our Sacred Journey! Mary Lou loves new adventures!
Registration Fee
$65 per participant includes 3 workshops, light breakfast, lunch, door prizes and more!
Additional material fees may apply to some workshops where indicated.
Available until quantities last. Space is limited. Please note, when you click register here a list will display all available workshops. If you don’t see the workshop you wanted this means it is full.
Please note some mobile devices may not support online ordering.
*NO REFUNDS
Doors Open to Participants – 9am (light breakfast served in main hall)
Workshop #1 – 9:30 -10:40 am
Workshop #2 – 10:55 – 12:05 pm
Lunch & Guest Speakers – 12:15 – 1:45 pm
Workshop #3 – 1:50 – 3:00 pm
Breakfast sponsored in part by
Workshop #1 Options
Guacamole & Salsa with a Spanish Twist
WORKSHOP FULL
Aurora Alcocer, Taco House Co
Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to make authentic guacamole and salsa while picking up essential Spanish vocabulary along the way. This interactive experience blends delicious Mexican flavours with a light and engaging Spanish lesson. Perfect for food lovers, culture enthusiasts and anyone looking to learn something new. **TAKE AWAY INCLUDED**
Materials fee – $10
Class size – 14
Sound Healing Meditation
WORKSHOP FULL
Missy Vermeerch – Accessing Reiki with Missy
Join Missy for a sound healing meditation that offers you rest, rejuvenation, and restoration. Sound Healing can assist you with sleep, quieting the mind, aligning your chakras, lessening chronic pain, releasing energy blockages & so much more.
**BRING YOUR OWN BLANKET OR YOGA MAT**
Class size – 30
Tapping into Peace
WORKSHOP FULL
Diane Yeo Mindfulness
Discover how EFT Tapping – an evidence based mind body practice – can quickly reduce stress and anxiety while gently regulating your nervous system, helping you feel calm, present, and grounded in minutes. This experiential workshop invites you to try it for yourself and learn a practical tool you can use anytime, anywhere.
Class size – 20
Passion for Travel
Jo Lynch, Boutique Travel Services & Caroline Wilson, Book Your Travel
Join me, St. Thomas resident and Independent Travel Agent, Caroline Wilson of Book Your Travel who will share travel tips and tricks, destinations galore, cruising as well as current information on Jamaica post hurricane Melissa. Jo Lynch of Boutique Travel Services, will give powerful session to discover how to turn your passion for travel into your own flexible travel business.
Class size – 30
It's Not Personal - It's Personality: Understanding Yourself and Others
Katherine Englander, The HR Business Group
Join us for an engaging Women’s Day session that explores personality dimensions and how our unique styles shape communication, collaboration, and confidence. This interactive introductory condensed workshop celebrates individual differences and shows how understanding ourselves and others can strengthen connection, leadership, and impact.
Class size – 20
Needle Felting Art
WORKSHOP FULL
Kristina Bell, Upside Downie Homestead
Explore Fibre Art through the fun and creative practice of needle felting. Learn a few simple techniques and leave with a unique piece of art! **TAKE AWAY INCUDED**
Material fee – $10
Class size – 16
Workshop #2 Options
Cupcake Decorating
WORKSHOP FULL
Cindy Leon, Honey Cake Pastry Shop
Learn how to create beautiful flowers on cupcakes with the correct tool handling. **TAKE AWAY INCLUDED**
Material fee – $5
Class size – 14
Restorative Yoga: Rest & Relax
Andrea Sauer, Yoga with Andrea
Guided breath awareness, meditation and restorative poses with the support of props.
**BRING YOUR OWN BLANKET & TWO PILLOWS AND A YOGA MAT**
Class size – 30
Are You Sick & Tired of Feeling Sick & Tired?
Angie Mailhot, Railway City Health Hut
Let’s talk about finding health and vitality in 2026.
We will share a cup of tea and some samples of healthful things and discuss various areas of personal health that are enmeshed together to make up our current state of health.
We will also share ideas and community connections that are available to assist us in finding health and vitality for 2026.
Class size – 20
How to Keep Ourselves Healthy Through Different Stages of Life
Megan Soloy-Theil, Silver Birch Naturopathic and Wellness Clinic
Join us as we will focus on how to support our health through prevention and support for what we all need in this changing toxic world.
Class size – 30
Mind Meets Muscle
Alicia Nolan & Alicia Lewis, Life Coaches
This collaborative workshop is designed to show how your thoughts, emotions, and physical habits work together like muscle memory. You will learn simple, practical tools to strengthen your mindset, support your body and create lasting change from inside out.
Class size – 20
The Mindful, Creative Practice of Hand Stitching
WORKSHOP FULL
Heather Robinson, gathered
Embroidery is an ancient art form that encourages slowness and mindfulness and is both accessible and relatively inexpensive. In this workshop, we will be sewing together felt pieces, embellishing them with embroidery stitches then stuffing them to create lovely stuffed hanging ornaments. **TAKE AWAY INCLUDED**
Material fee – $5
Class size – 16
Workshop #3 Options
World in Writing: Whimsy & Wonder
Peri Hayes, YWCA Educator & Writer
In this workshop you will explore the art of Peri Hayes — the process of publishing her poetry book, building a career in writing, and how you can create to your heart’s desire.
Class size – 14
Salsa Dance
Anna Marie Apau, Latin Passion Dance Academy & Aurora Alcocer, Taco House Co
Join us for a fun and energetic Salsa Dance workshop where you’ll learn exciting moves and immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of Latin music and culture! In collaboration with Latin Passion Dance Academy, this experience invites you to step into the world of Latin dance, connect with others, and feel the joy of movement. No experience required – just bring your energy and enthusiasm!
Class size – 30
Come Back to Your Body
Jill Bond, Groovy Moon
Within this workshop you’ll learn about the secret messages your body is trying to tell you and how to communicate with the field of intelligence all around you.
Class size – 20
Women Encircle: Drumming
WORKSHOP FULL
Christine Norman, Expressive Arts
Discover the joy of rhythm and connection in this fun drum circle – an uplifting way to recharge, express yourself, and embrace self-care. No experience needed; just bring your spirit and feel the beat!
*Drums will be provided
Class size – 30
Quiet Power: An Empowering Candle Ritual for Women
WORKSHOP FULL
Kim Goodhue & Shelley Barret, Purely Wicked
This hands-on workshop that invites participants to reconnect with their inner strength through intention-setting, symbolism, and ritual.
Rooted in historical practices used by women across cultures, candle rituals have long been a way to focus intention, claim personal agency, and create moments of reflection in a busy world. In this accessible and welcoming workshop, participants will learn the basics of candle symbolism and intention, then create and “dress” their own empowerment candle using botanicals, oils, and symbolic elements.
No prior experience or belief system is required. This workshop is not religious and does not involve spellcasting. Instead, it focuses on mindfulness, empowerment, self-trust, and reclaiming personal energy — all through a creative, grounding process.
Each participant will leave with:
A dressed empowerment candle in a tin
A guided worksheet and take-home ritual guide
A renewed sense of calm, focus, and personal intention
This workshop is designed to be inclusive, gentle, and empowering ideal for Women’s Week participants seeking something creative, meaningful, and unique.
Material fee – $5
Class size – 20
Stitch Please! Knit & Crochet 101
Melinda Erin Whitehead
Fibre Arts are making a comeback but where do you begin and what’s the difference between knitting and crocheting anyway? Come learn the ins, outs, joys and possibilities of skills you’ll enjoy for years to come! **TAKE AWAY INCLUDED**
Material fee – $10
Class size – 16
If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact our main office at (519) 631-9800 or email us at info@ywcaste.ca.
Liability to Participate
Upon registration for YWCA St.Thomas-Elgin’s Women’s Day, all participants are acknowledging that YWCA St.Thomas-Elgin is not responsible for any injury, personal injury, or loss of any kind suffered by a participant during, or as a result of, this event. Participants agree that they are aware of their own health and physical condition prior to participating and assume all risks connected to participating.
*NO REFUNDS