On May 29, 2023, Esprit de Corps hosted its ninth annual Breaking Down the Barricades: Women in the Defence World awards night reception. The event was attended by current and former winners, top military personnel, politicians, ambassadors and defence industry professionals.
The Breaking Down the Barricades: Women in the Defence World award was created in 2015 to recognize the contributions made by outstanding professional women in support of the Canadian defence sector.
This year’s winners were led into the Sacred Space at Beechwood Memorial Centre by piper, Glenn McDonald. The ceremony included a keynote speech from Lt.-Gen. Lise Bourgon, as well as a presentation of plaques for this year’s winners.
The ceremony was followed by a reception, which included food and beverages from several embassies and high commissions. Esprit de Corps is grateful for the support provided by Poland, Serbia, Germany, Chile, Turkey and the Netherlands. Dishes from local restaurants La Favorita and Beijing Legend were also served.
Sponsors of the event included Arcfield, Black Ridge Defence Inc., Sandstone Group, Collins Aerospace, MDA, Rheinmetall, Seaspan Shipyards, Beechwood and Saab. Attendees received loot bags including gifts kindly provided by Esprit de Corps’s sponsors.
Esprit de Corps is honoured to take part in celebrating the success of the incredible women in Canada’s military and defence industries. Nominations for the award can be submitted to Esprit de Corps’s Award Selection Committee at nominations@espritdecorps.ca
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