CREDIT: COURTESY OF JANICE LAM
Second-year student at Brescia University College, Janice Lam, is among others in London who are putting an emphasis on leadership.

Social justice was approached in a different way this year by two students. Janice Lam, a second- year student at Brescia University College and Erica Boudreau, a London local attending Mount Allison University exemplify how one person can make a change in her community.

Lam, the 2012 winner of Brescia's speech competition: Take the Lead, supports new students participating in the competition. Take the Lead is an annual competition, which allows Grade 11 and 12 girls from around the world to speak to a panel of judges. All competitors are given an award for participating and the winner gets her first year of post-secondary paid for by the institution.

“The competition was a good introduction to the school,” Lam said. “It empowers young women to be leaders in the community.”

This year, Brescia teamed up with local organization The Circle, a women's centre for spirituality, activism and the earth to highlight leadership and women empowerment.

Theresa Ducharme and Jessica Matten, a mother-daughter pair that started Lemon Cree, a wellness and fitness centre, support women speaking up and getting involved in their community. Both women are advocates for opportunities like Take The Lead.

“[Living in Canada], we owe it to all women to speak on their behalf,” Matten said. “We are so privileged to live in a country where we have the opportunity of free speech.”

Lam and other alumni that have participated in the competition help out each year. “The competition shows you that you can [be a leader] and that you'll be valued,” said Danielle Sakher, a competitor from Lam's year.

That message is a cornerstone of Boudreau's initiative. She hopes to implement it on her campus in Sackville, N.B. She is an active member of the youth organization at the Talbot Street Church looking to share the teachings of the Talbot Street Church on campus to empower students to be confident and make a change in the community.

“If you have the opportunity to make someone feel safe or secure, then I think you are a fool not to take it,” Boudreau said at one of the evening meetings.

Sandra Bork, youth director for the church believes that Boudreau has what it takes to lead the new organization in Sackville.

“[She] needs a good support team and mentors,” Bork said as she smiled at Boudreau. “You need an attitude that is willing to try.”

From Lam's experience at Brescia and Take the Lead, she has been involved in mental health awareness in the city and works with many of her former competitors to make change on campus and in the city. Both Lam and Boudreau have not confirmed any events for the coming school year.

Boudreau plans to gather more information on organizations in Sackville and what they are working towards before focusing on specific topics for her group. “My favourite saying is, ‘Wherever you are, be all there.'”