Negin Khaleghi

She/Her

Impact​

Negin was a very committed volunteer to WTC for many years, and went on to work on the first large research project WTC led - Systemic Barriers to Women’s Participation in Local Government.

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Bio

Uprooted from her homeland in Iran, Negin sought a new home in Canada, leaving the oppressive constraints of a gender-apartheid regime. Arriving in the late 2000s, she faced the unique challenges confronting the Iranian diaspora in a Conservative-lead Canada. This meant being painted with a broad brush of suspicion and limitations, while simultaneously witnessing the contradiction of Canada selling citizenship to corrupt Iranian officials. Negin grappled with the questions of identity and belonging, as many immigrants do, amplified by a home government that actively opposes its own people. This fueled her passion for social justice. Upon completing her Graduate degree, she dedicated years to understanding and advocating for social justice within the Canadian nonprofit sector.

In 2017, her career path led her to Women Transforming Cities (WTC), marking a pivotal moment in her understanding of the transformative power of community activism. WTC's unwavering commitment to removing systemic barriers resonated deeply with Negin's aspirations; its vision offered an antidote to the many interlinked oppressive systems that perpetuate inequality.

Today, Negin stands humbled to have played a small role in WTC's mission, striving to dismantle the limitations that restrict women's visibility, access, and participation in all facets of society. The nomination alongside remarkable individuals who have made an indelible mark on Vancouver and Canada at large, fills her with profound gratitude. Negin firmly believes that within the tapestry of community, we find the care and endurance to shape a future where inclusivity and empowerment transcend the boundaries of gender, creed, status, orientation, and borders.