LAWC 26th Breakfast for Women’s Day 2026

Key Points

• London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC) hosted its 26th annual breakfast event on March 6, 2026, at RBC Place from 7 am to 9 am.
• The event celebrated International Women’s Day, observed globally on March 8 each year, recognising women’s achievements and calling for gender equality.
• Theme: “Women’s Words,” encouraging women and girls to raise their voices through advocacy, opinions, and writing.
• Attended by approximately 760 seated guests and around 800 people total, marking a strong recovery post-pandemic.
• Featured games, prizes, live and silent auctions, and surprises; bestselling author Heather Marshall was among notable guests.
• Key speakers: Gail McVicar (LAWC community engagement manager) and Jennifer Dunn (LAWC Executive Director).
• Funds raised support free, confidential frontline services for women and girls over 12 affected by intimate partner violence, including counselling, advocacy, long-term support, and free bus tickets.
• Event is LAWC’s biggest annual fundraiser, emphasising that abused women are not alone and possess power to overcome challenges.

London (Britain Today News) March 7, 2026. The London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC) successfully hosted its 26th annual breakfast event on March 6, 2026, drawing nearly 800 attendees to honour International Women’s Day amid a renewed push for gender equality and support for abuse survivors. Held at RBC Place from 7 am to 9 am, the gathering featured engaging activities and raised vital funds for frontline services, underscoring the centre’s enduring commitment to women and girls facing intimate partner violence.

What Was the Theme of LAWC’s 26th Annual Breakfast Event?

The year’s theme, “Women’s Words,” spotlighted the power of female voices in advocacy and expression. As reported by event coverage from local outlets, Gail McVicar, LAWC’s community engagement manager, explained:

“It’s a chance for us to think about how every person in this room has a woman in their life or is a woman who is contributing to how this world is turning.”

McVicar further elaborated that LAWC aims to encourage women and girls to raise their voices, ensure their opinions and advocacy are heard, and recognise that for some, women’s words manifest through writing. This theme resonated deeply, aligning with International Women’s Day’s global call—marked annually on March 8—to celebrate women’s achievements while accelerating action on gender parity.

Who Were the Key Speakers at the Event?

Prominent figures from LAWC addressed the crowd, delivering messages of empowerment and available support. Gail McVicar highlighted the event’s significance as the centre’s largest fundraiser for 26 consecutive years. She stressed:

“All of our services are not only confidential, but they are free to every woman or girl that walks through our doors.”

McVicar noted practical aids like free bus tickets for counselling sessions, adding:

“Having a fundraiser like this allows us to make sure that happens.”

Jennifer Dunn, LAWC’s Executive Director, emphasised the prevalence of intimate partner violence in the community. As covered in reports from community news desks, Dunn stated:

“We provide service to women and girls over the age of 12 who have been subjected to this kind of violence and we do that by providing immediate access to long-term counselling, advocacy and support. And so, the whole idea is that women need immediate access so that when they’re ready, when they’re wanting to share their story, somebody is available to listen to them.”

Dunn reinforced that abused women are not alone:

“There is help available in our community when you’re ready, but also that you do not have to be, you are not less than anything. You are powerful and you can do whatever you want to do and that’s the message we would send to women and girls ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday.”

What Activities Featured at the Breakfast Gathering?

The event buzzed with interactive elements designed to engage attendees while boosting fundraising efforts. Games and prizes kept the atmosphere lively, complemented by live and silent auctions that introduced a few surprises. Bestselling author Heather Marshall, known for her novel Looking for Jane, joined several guests, adding a literary flair that tied into the “Women’s Words” theme. These activities not only entertained but also amplified the event’s charitable goals, with all proceeds directed to LAWC’s frontline services.

How Significant Is This Event for LAWC’s Mission?

As LAWC’s premier annual fundraiser, the breakfast sustains critical, no-cost services amid rising community needs. McVicar underscored its role in enabling confidential support, from immediate crisis response to sustained counselling. The event’s scale—760 seated guests and around 800 total—signals robust community backing. Dunn reflected on challenges and triumphs: “We’ve been doing this for 26 years and the pandemic put a little bit of a wrench in our growth, but I think to have 760 seated guests and around 800 people in this room is such an accomplishment.” She advocated persistence:

“I think continuing to spread awareness and celebrate our successes and speak about the issues with a call to action is so important and so that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

This milestone gathering reaffirms LAWC’s position as a vital safety net. By offering immediate access to counselling, advocacy, and transport like free bus tickets, the centre ensures barriers do not silence survivors. Dunn’s words encapsulated the ethos: intimate partner violence affects many, yet help stands ready, empowering women to reclaim their narratives.

Why Does International Women’s Day Matter in This Context?

International Women’s Day, observed worldwide on March 8, honours women’s societal contributions while demanding progress on equality. LAWC’s event, held two days prior, built anticipation for the occasion, blending celebration with advocacy. McVicar’s opening remarks framed it personally: every attendee connects to a woman shaping the world. Dunn extended this to survivors, affirming their inherent power. The breakfast thus served as a microcosm of the day’s spirit—awareness, action, and affirmation.

In broader terms, such events highlight systemic issues. Intimate partner violence remains a pressing community concern, as Dunn noted, necessitating accessible services for those over 12. LAWC’s model—free, confidential, and immediate—addresses this head-on, fostering environments where stories can emerge safely.

What Impact Did the Pandemic Have on LAWC’s Events?

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted growth, yet the 2026 event marked a triumphant return. Dunn praised the turnout:

“The pandemic put a little bit of a wrench in our growth, but I think to have 760 seated guests and around 800 people in this room is such an accomplishment.”

This resilience underscores community solidarity, propelling LAWC forward after years of adaptation.

Where and When Was the Event Held?

RBC Place in London, Ontario, hosted the breakfast from 7 am to 9 am on March 6, 2026. The venue accommodated the large crowd, facilitating auctions, games, and speeches seamlessly.

How Are Funds Utilised by LAWC?

Every pound raised bolsters frontline services: counselling, advocacy, long-term support, and logistics like bus tickets. McVicar affirmed: services remain free and confidential for all who enter. This direct allocation ensures tangible aid for abuse survivors.

London’s commitment shone through, with nearly 800 participants championing women’s voices. As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, LAWC’s 26th breakfast exemplifies collective action against violence, proving words—and deeds—drive change.