Advocate for women receives honours
Irene Y. McNeill, who’s an avid sailor and advocate for women in the sport, is one of 80 Order of Canada appointees. The Order of Canada is how the country honors people who make extraordinary contributions to Canada.
McNeill has not only helped develop the sport of sailing throughout the country and around the world, but has actively increased the number of women participating in the sport. One way she has accomplished this was by co-founding the LEAP program, which encourages girls to take up sailing.
In addition to participating in the sport, McNeill has been particularly instrumental in the leadership side of sailing and the advancement of women in race management. She has supported many initiatives to encourage women to participate in race management and improve skills development.
In 2012, McNeill was the first Canadian woman to earn the title of international race officer by World Sailing. – Full report