Ismailimail is proud to profile two of Vancouver’s rising stars, Selin Jessa and Zoya Jiwa.
Recognized nationally, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards honours individuals and organizations whose outstanding activities and achievements contribute to the well-being and future of our community.
Congratulations to the 2015 nominees in the category of Young Woman of Distinction
SELIN JESSA
An innovative, exceptional scientist, Selin’s natural curiosity, dedication and hard work allowed her to embrace the science curriculum and expand it far beyond the typical student interpretation. By Grade 12, she was conducting HIV vaccine design research at the HIV/AIDS Molecular Epidemiology Lab at SFU. Her research earned her
international attention and ranked her internationally as the 4th place young scientific mind at the 2013 annual BioGENEius Challenge. Her natural tendency to ask questions allows her to find ways to implement positive change. She is one of the original organizers of TedXKids@BC and the first to launch a TED event in Antarctica. Today, she leads a project improving access to health care in Montreal, where she is a 2nd-year Immunology and Geography student at McGill University, supported by numerous scholarships.
ZOYA JIWA
At only 20 years of age, Zoya served as an extraordinary role model to young women, embracing her diagnosis of Lupus as an opportunity to help others. Zoya has devoted countless hours to mentoring, guiding and supporting more than 3,000 youth locally and nationally through “Simply You”, a grassroots program she developed to build self-esteem, self-awareness and leadership skills. She has devoted her time to worthwhile causes including Project HELLO, volunteering as a camp counsellor at the Arthritis Society’s Educational Retreat for children and mentors other youth with Lupus. Now a university student at SFU, Zoya stands out as a celebrated and sought-after motivational speaker and workshop facilitator.
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