Maureen Owino TrailblazHER Award

Background  

The Maureen Owino TrailblazHER Award was established by the Community Alliance for Accessible Treatment (CAAT) to honour the legacy of Maureen Owino — a fearless advocate, mentor, and leader who championed the rights and dignity of marginalized women, immigrants, and people living with HIV/AIDS. 

This award recognizes women and gender-diverse individuals who, like Maureen, embody: 

• Bold leadership and visionary resistance 

• A deep commitment to social justice and systemic change 

• Mentorship and inspiration to others in the community 

• Relentless resilience in the face of structural barriers 

The award celebrates those breaking new ground, dismantling systems of oppression, and championing equity and justice for all. 

The 2025 award will be presented at the upcoming CAAT Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for September 2025. 

Nomination Criteria  

Nominees should demonstrate achievement in one or more of the following areas: 

• Bold advocacy and leadership in the face of injustice 

• Mentorship and empowerment of women, gender-diverse people, and/or peers 

• Courageous resistance against systemic oppression, stigma, or violence 

• Innovation in community organizing or social justice work 

• A lifelong or emerging commitment to equity, justice, and transformative change 

Eligibility  

Nominees must: 

• Identify as a Woman or Gender-Diverse Person 

• Identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour (BIPOC) 

• Be an Immigrant, Refugee, Non-status person, or Person living with HIV/AIDS (PHA) 

• Participation in CAAT initiatives or other allied community efforts is preferred but not required 

Note: This award welcomes nominations for individuals who may not have formal titles or positions, but whose grassroots leadership has made a meaningful impact. 

Who Can Nominate?  

Nominations are open to community members, service providers, peers, and allies working in HIV/AIDS, gender justice, health equity, migration, or related sectors. 

Self-nominations are also welcome and encouraged, especially from individuals with lived experience who wish to share their journey and contributions. 

Submissions must include the nominator’s name and contact information. 

Award recipients are encouraged to attend the AGM in person. Remote participation may be arranged in special cases. 

Submission Instructions  

Please complete and submit the official Nomination Form by August 15, 2025.  

For questions about the award or the nomination process, please email: operations@caat.link  

  Subject Line: Award Nomination – Maureen Owino TrailblazHER Award 

For general queries, contact CAAT at info@caat.link or call 647-249-8869