Volunteer of the Month: January 2026

Volunteer of the Month: January 2026

Nazeela Monfared is originally from Iran and brings with her a lifetime of experience shaped by connection, curiosity, and service. After more than 25 years in the airline industry, Nazeela retired having fulfilled a lifelong love of travel, exploring countries and...
Meet Heba

Meet Heba

Heba currently volunteers with CIWA’s reception team and the Everyday English for Seniors Program. Born in Egypt, Heba spent part of her childhood in Australia before returning to her home country. She holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and brings more...
Ron Ghitter CM Scholarship Fund Recipients 2025

Ron Ghitter CM Scholarship Fund Recipients 2025

We are proud to celebrate 18 outstanding women who have been selected as this year’s Ron Ghitter CM Scholarship Fund. Each recipient will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support their education and career goals. These extraordinary women whose journeys span...
Meet Lida

Meet Lida

She shares her time and talents with CIWA’s Seniors Sewing and Craft Groups, stitching creativity, friendship, and community into every project. Lida and her spouse relocated to Calgary in 2024 from Iran, joining their daughter, who had settled in Canada several years...

CIWA is Turning a New Leaf

In 1982, a small circle of immigrant women gathered in a Calgary school basement with children in arms, dreams in motion, and courage running the show. They came seeking connection, and they sparked a movement. Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association was born from a...