Visionary Leaders

Estelle Lamoureux

Estelle began her career in education working as a school bus driver. She credits her journey from that humble beginning to where she is today to the encouragement and mentorship of others. She is indebted to them all and determined to give back every single day. Estelle’s overarching goal is to reach out to our youth by organizing student- led events that focus on leadership, critical thinking skills, as well as the tools to navigate bureaucratic and political systems they need to support their passion in creating a sustainable future for all.

A high school dropout, Estelle has managed to obtain the necessary diplomas to teach at all levels, from elementary to high school and university, in both official languages. The majority of her career has been at the high school level, first as a classroom teacher and then as a principal. She witnessed first-hand the impact of long-term societal shortcomings on our underprivileged students, knowledge that now helps her focus on what needs to be done to address these issues.

Estelle is committed to finding ways for everyone to have a voice in our society. She organized, for example, a Diversity Runway Tea Party at a local hotel with participants from across the city, an event that celebrated their cultural identity and individuality, while also cultivating new friendships. Similarly, as a show of support for the Muslim women’s rights to wear what they wanted, Estelle organized a ‘Burkini Pool Party’ at a local city pool. She has also responded to the needs of individuals who have shared their stories with her of unimaginable betrayal by society. This included, for example, an event highlighting the horrific abuse of young Indigenous boys in northern residential communities by a man of the cloth. Her purpose in doing so was to educate the public and, more importantly, give these men back their voices, power and dignity.

Estelle’s other accomplishments include helping to establish the Canadian Commission for UNESCO Associated School Network in Manitoba and Canada. For four years she served as chair of education for CCUNESCO, during which time she organized national and international conferences in support of the network. In 2014, Estelle established the Manitoba High School Ethics Bowl, modelled in part on the National US High School Ethics Bowl, which has now expanded from British Columbia to New Brunswick in both official languages. In her current role as director of Ethics Bowl Canada, she oversees the expansion of this event across Canada. Estelle also organizes events with the support of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Rotary World Peace Partners and Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties. Examples include the Manitoba High School Ethics Bowl, the Youth Nuclear Peace Summits which attract students internationally, including from Japan and USA, and the Rotary Elementary School Peace Walks which allow our young students to raise their voices on world peace.

Estelle is currently organizing a new summit entitled, “Democracy: By the People for the People”. At it’s core, will be the focus on how democracy can be eroded and how citizens can empower one another to protect it. Again, this event will be student led in support of concrete actions needed to be an informed, responsible guardian of democracy in the modern world. All of the above events would be impossible to organize without the incredible volunteers that give countless hours building a society where diversity, equity and inclusion matters. Our society is stronger because of it.