Soukaina Boutiyeb, a uOttawa alumna, is a champion of women's rights and the promotion of French in minority communities. She holds a bachelor's in international development and globalization, with a minor in women’s studies. Originally from Morocco, Soukaina has accomplished remarkable feats and made a significant impact in her adopted community of Ottawa.
Soukaina shares with us her vision of French at uOttawa and her hopes for its future.
Promoting French in the community
Boutiyeb’s dedication to community service is evident through her involvement in various organizations such as the Maison d'amitié, Centre franco-ontarien de folklore, Centre Guigues, CALACS francophone d’Ottawa support line and Festival franco-ontarien, as well as the #LaRésistance movement fighting cutbacks to francophone programs in Ontario.
Soukaina’s appreciation for Franco-Ontarian heritage also shows various projects. In her role with the Réseau du patrimoine franco-ontarien, she helped create the first-ever comic strip highlighting the rich history and genealogy of Franco-Ontarians. She also developed an app to promote walking tours of the Francophone built heritage in Ottawa.
Empowering the next generation of Franco-Ontarians
A role model, Soukaina inspires youth, women and all Franco-Ontarians to advocate for diversity and inclusion. Her wealth of experience, knowledge and connections is invaluable to the causes she supports. Her commitment to education, youth empowerment and community engagement is helping create a more inclusive and vibrant Franco-Ontarian community. Her volunteer work is a testament to the driving force of social equality.
Soukaina’s work has earned her several accolades, including the Young Alumna Award from the University of Ottawa Alumni Association in 2020 and the Young Inclusive Leader Award in 2022, for her outstanding dedication to the advancement of women and the Francophone community in Ontario and Canada.