The five women on this list are more than just inspiring. They’re also influential, powerful, and accomplished. Meet 5 Inspiring Canadian women who have made a difference and are inspiring others to do the same.
Chantal Hebert
Chantal Hebert is an inspiring Canadian journalist and political analyst. She is the senior political writer for The Toronto Star, where she has worked since 2001.

Hebert previously worked at La Presse, Montreal Gazette and Le Soleil as an editor-in-chief. She was also a political columnist for the Ottawa Citizen from 2001 to 2006. In 2007, Hebert was named one of the 15 most influential French Canadians in Ottawa by L’actualité magazine. She is also an adjunct professor at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication.
Clara Hughes
Clara Hughes is an athlete, author, and advocate for mental health. She is a five-time Olympic medallist who has won medals in both Summer and Winter Olympics. She is also the first Canadian to win medals at both the Summer and Winter Games.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Hughes has been an outspoken mental health advocate since she experienced depression after her second Olympics in 2000. Her book Gold Medal Family: My Life at Home with Canada’s Most Celebrated Athletes came out last year and details her experience with depression as well as how she overcame it through talking about it openly with others (and herself).
Ingrid Paulson
Ingrid Paulson is a Canadian actress who is best known for her role as Constable Élise Marcotte on CBC’s The Border. She has also appeared in many films such as X-Men and The Chronicles of Riddick.
Paulson has won several awards including the Gemini Award, Genie Award and Prix Jutra. She announced in 2010 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, which was successfully treated. She has since spoken about her experience dealing with the disease and her support for research into finding a cure.
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author, poet, and literary critic. She has written more than 40 books of poetry, children’s literature, fiction and non-fiction.

Her work includes novels such as The Handmaid’s Tale (1985), which won the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 1987; Alias Grace (1996); Oryx and Crake (2003), which was shortlisted for Man Booker Prize; The Blind Assassin (2000) which won the Booker Prize in 2000; The Year of the Flood (2009) and MaddAddam trilogy consisting of Oryx & Crake (2003), Year Of The Flood (2009) & MaddAddam(2013). Her works have been translated into more than 50 languages around the world including Chinese, Japanese & Korean editions published by Chinese publisher CITIC Press Hong Kong Ltd., Japanese publisher Chikuma Shobo Co Ltd., Korean publisher Munhakdongne Publishing Company Ltd.
Sandra Oh
Sandra Oh is an actress and has made this list 5 Inspiring Canadian women. Sandra is best known for her role as Dr. Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy. She has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.

She was born in Canada to Korean parents and attended school in Toronto before moving to New York City to study acting at Juilliard School of Drama from 1992-1996.
These women are inspiring
They’re all Canadian, they’re all successful and they’re all philanthropists. But there’s more to it than that–they also share a common thread in how they inspire others through their personal stories and experiences. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons these ladies are so inspirational.
These are just a few examples of successful, down-to-earth Canadian women. They inspire others because they symbolize the quintessential Canadian woman. They’re humble, hardworking and they’re determined. They also encourage others to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. These women are an inspiration to all Canadians.