HSH Executive Director: A Woman of Distinction

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Jan 22
2 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Congratulations Sara!

Home Suite Hope Executive Director Dr. Sara Cumming has been nominated in the YWCA Hamilton’s 2026 Women of Distinction Awards.

The nominees for the YWCA Hamilton's milestone 50th annual Women of Distinction Awards, presented by ArcelorMittal Dofasco, were announced at the Nominee Reception Jan. 20 at Hamilton’s The Waterfront Centre. The Awards ceremony is set for March 5 in recognition of International Women’s Day 2026.

Hamilton and Halton community members have nominated 73 exceptional women and girls across nine award categories. These leaders, innovators, and trailblazers are creating legacies that will shape the future of the community.

This is not the first time Sara has been nominated as a Woman of Distinction and the recent reception was an important opportunity for nominees to meet one another, connect with local trailblazers, and celebrate the impact they are making in the community. It was attended by Sara and HSH Interim Director of Operations/Program Manager Nikkian Hansen-Daley.

The YWCA Hamilton Women of Distinction Awards honours women and girls whose leadership and impact create lasting change in Hamilton and Halton.

The awards ceremony in celebration of International Women’s Day, will recognize these women and their achievements — while raising vital funds to empower women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Numerous candidates were nominated across a variety of categories including: Arts & Culture; Community Champion; Education/Training; Health/Wellness; Innovation in Business; Public Service and Stem/Trades as well as Young Trailblazer and Lifetime Achievement.

Sara is a nominee in the Public Service category, which honours a woman who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in her role serving the public good in the community.

As a community leader, Sara shows compassion and ethical responsibility in her service to others.

Sara champions inclusivity and equity and makes significant contributions that enhance the lives of women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Born to a 16-year-old single mother, Sara was raised on social assistance and eventually earned her PhD in Sociology, focusing on understanding and dismantling the systemic barriers that keep women and families trapped in cycles of poverty.

She has secured nearly $2 million in research funding to tackle complex social problems affecting women here in Halton and as far away as Kenya. As ED of Home Suite Hope, Sara leads a transformative, four-year wrap-around program that has moved 118 single mother-led families from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

The awards gala is Thursday March 5, 2026 at Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen's, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton ON. A 6-7 p.m. cocktail reception will be followed by the Awards Gala Dinner 7-9 p.m.

To purchase tickets, click https://ywcahamilton.akaraisin.com/ui/2026WODAwardsGalaTickets/tickets

For information about the YWCA Hamilton 2026 Women of Distinction Awards, visit https://women-of-distinction.ca/

Visit HomeSuiteHope.org for information about Home Suite Hope.