March 8 – International Women’s Day – is a day to rally together to celebrate women and girls around the world, and to call for equal rights and equal justice so that all can fully exercise and enjoy those rights.
This year, we are proud to mark the day by honouring Mary Ito, who concluded more than a decade of extraordinary service on the Roots of Empathy Canadian Board of Directors.
For over 10 years, Mary has brought boundless energy, insight, creativity and wisdom to our Board. Her distinguished career in journalism and broadcasting—spanning more than three decades—has strengthened our organization in countless ways. As a trusted voice in Canadian media and a respected community leader, she has amplified our mission: to build caring, peaceful and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults.
A Champion for Roots of Empathy
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Mary planned and moderated all of our research symposia, including serving as MC and interviewer at our 2023 Symposium, where she led a compelling conversation with Dr. Thupten Jinpa, noted Tibetan scholar and longtime translator to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. See the interview here.
- Conducting a powerful on-stage interview with BBC Senior News Correspondent Christian Fraser at our World on the Brink fundraising event, exploring the global stories and trends shaping 2024 and beyond.
- Providing media training and mentorship to our staff over many years, strengthening our confidence and clarity as communicators.
Why This Matters on International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is advancing equality—not only through policy and advocacy, but through empathy. Sustainable equality requires leaders who listen deeply, communicate clearly, and create space for others to flourish.
Mary embodies that kind of leadership.
At Roots of Empathy, we know that when children develop empathy, they grow into adults capable of building fairer, more inclusive communities. Mary’s service reflects that same belief: that change begins with empathy.
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate Mary Ito—not only for her remarkable professional accomplishments, but for the heart, integrity, and generosity she has given to our organization and our mission. Mary, thank you for a decade of extraordinary volunteering, mentorship, and unwavering commitment
