If you could sum up Hoda Elatawi in one word, it would most likely be ‘storyteller.’ From a young age, Elatawi loved the art of storytelling, and would turn many of her school assignments into plays, fashion shows, or some other form of artwork.

In the Ottawa community, it's a challenge to meet someone who does not know Khadija Haffajee. She is seen as a pioneering figure in the nation’s capital, as well as on a global scale as a lecturer, educator, mentor and social activist. But not everyone knows the unique backstory on how a South African woman ended up holding such a public role in Canada.

Montreal-based Syrian Canadian journalist Oussayma Canbarieh has made multiple documentaries exploring the challenges faced by Muslims navigating their identity within North American societies. In particular, her ground-breaking web series for Radio Canada International, “Me, The Muslim Next Door”, follows the lives of seven young Muslim Canadians in Montreal and Toronto. Oussayma was awarded the Lys de la Diversité Prize for web-journalism in 2013.

One Muslim woman is devoting much of her time to raise awareness about Islam across small town Ontario through a series of presentations and interfaith dialogue.

Barbara Helms was born in Saskatchewan to American parents, who were both accomplished classical musicians teaching in Canada. Shortly after she was born the family moved back to the United States, where Helms was raised with her older sister in Princeton, NJ. She returned to Canada in her 20s to study at McGill University.

When it comes to making modest fashionwear available at the click of a button, Salgai Tooryalai is on the case with SANAA Women’s Fashion, an online store based in Ottawa.

When one thinks of the word “hijabi”, it is not often followed by the word motorcyclist. Except that in my case, it is.