ZUBEDA
VAHED
Zubeda Vahed, the recipient of this years Race Relations Award, has energetically devoted herself to improving the lives of young people and their families in their schools and in their communities.
As
Equity Officer: Race Relations for the Peel District School Board she
analyzes staff and student needs, co-ordinates staff in-service, and works
with young people and families in distress; she also mediates and resolves
conflicts at the school and community levels.
In addition to her full-time position with the Peel District Board, Zubeda
has evaluated text books for the Ministry of Education and has produced
a number of resource guides: Unity in Diversity: A Resource Guide for Race
and Ethnocultural Equity, Opening and Closing Exercises: A Resource Guide
for Ontario Schools, and Manifesting Encouraging and Respectful Environments.
Zubeda’s extensive volunteer work includes consulting with local,
provincial and international communities and acting as a resource person
on issues of racism, sexism and equity.
She
assists immigrant families and refugees, is an advocate for seniors,
women and faith communities. She is also a consultant to hospitals
and distress centres. .
Zubeda
was on the Board for the International Development and Refugee Foundation
and the Board of the Islamic Social Services and Referral Association,
the Peel Multicultural Council and currently is the vice chair of the
Federation of Muslim Women.
Zubeda has been Director and Provincial Chair with the Federation of Women Teachers’ Association
of Ontario, and served as the committee chair and as an executive member of that
organization. Currently, she is appointed to the Provincial Curriculum and Professional
Development Committee for the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
She has been involved with leadership training for women and anti-violence workshops
for staff, students and community groups
In 1993,
Zubeda Vahed was made the Fellow of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation
for her outstanding contributions to the profession, and for her community
work.
The Baha’i Community of Canada presented Zubeda with a
commendation for her demonstrated commitment to promoting racial unity
in Canada. In December 2000, Zubeda was given an award for her excellent
contribution to leadership training for women in Guyana by the Central
Islamic Organization of Guyana.
Zubeda is currently working on her doctorate at the University of Toronto. Her
research focus is gender, faith and race.
South African Women for Women is proud
to recognize her contributions to her students and the community.