As communities across the country recognize Pink Shirt Day, one Port Coquitlam mom is doing her best to advocate for parents and children struggling with cyberbullying and mental health.
Carol Todd, the mother of Amanda Todd, is being recognized this week as one of 10 Canadian Women of Worth Honourees, an annual program sponsored by L’Oréal Paris Canada.
She will be recognized on International Women’s Day March 8 for her work and will receive $10,000 to go toward the Amanda Todd Legacy fund.
As well, Todd’s charity — which promotes education and awareness about cyberbullying, mental health and online safety — could win another $10,000 in public voting for the National Women of Worth honouree for 2018.
“It is an honour to be acknowledged as one of 10 women in Canada by L’Oréal Paris Canada for Women of Worth 2018. Making differences in our community is what inspires me,” Todd told the Tri-City News in a statement.
The Women of Worth program honours Canadian women who selflessly volunteer their time to serve and improve the lives of those in need. Selected from a pool of public nominations, each honouree was chosen by a judging panel based on the impact of the cause each woman has championed.
Todd said funds awarded to the Amanda Todd Legacy fund will be used to further a number of educational programs and projects, including a scholarship fund set up with the Douglas College Foundation in Amanda’s memory, and an empowerment group for young girls to support lifelong learning and personal empowerment, using horses as the inspiration. Other funds will be put into trust for further projects that benefit youth, Todd further stated.
“In my heart, we are doing this for Amanda and giving her the voice she wanted — and to make the changes that she so very much wanted to happen.”
Amanda Todd committed suicide in 2012 after posting a video on YouTube in which she used a series of flash cards to tell her story of being cyberbullied.
To find out more about the Amanda Todd Legacy Society visit amandatoddlegacy.org. To vote visit womenofworth.ca, online voting continues until March 4.
