The 2023 Agnes Macphail Award recipient, Dr. Shakhlo Sharipova /City of Toronto
On Sunday, March 19, the City and the Agnes Macphail Recognition Committee will host an awards ceremony to recognize Dr. Shakhlo Sharipova’s contributions to the East York community. The City’s annual Agnes Macphail Award is presented to an individual in East York for their volunteer leadership in community-building and social justice issues.
A skilled ophthalmologist specializing in the treatment of glaucoma, Dr. Sharipova came to Canada from Tajikistan in 2009. A mother of four and grandmother of two, she has lived in East York since 2010. Dr. Sharipova founded the Thorncliffe Park Autism Support Network (TPASN), which stemmed from her experience as a mother with a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. TPASN provides information and inclusive activities for children living with autism and their families. During the pandemic, she organized outdoor and inclusive camps for children living with autism with special needs and their siblings, providing respite opportunities for families.
Dr. Sharipova supports her community by organizing a toy drive for low-income families and the Ramadan Free Hot Meal Project. With a team of volunteers, she has provided 4,240 meals since the program started, delivering meals door to door during the pandemic. Dr. Sharipova also fundraises to provide food and supplies to families and seniors in need. She is also dedicated to creating opportunities for youth to engage in community development.
Leaside Garden Society will continue their Speaker Series with an on-line-virtual Zoom meeting on March 9, 2023. The special guest is Sean James. The topic is Proud of my Pruning. The meeting will commence at 7p.m.
Sean has spoken from the Maritimes to Seattle, has landscaped from Nova Scotia to California, and has helped to create publications ranging from the ‘Grow me Instead Guide’ to the ‘Master Gardeners Reference Manual’. He has participated in chairing the Environmental Stewardship Committee for Landscape Ontario, the Environmental Committee for the Perennial Plant Association, in moderating the Master Gardeners of Ontario Facebook page, and judging the All-American Selections garden competition and Hamilton’s Monarch Awards. He has been the Ontario spokesperson for Garden Days Canada and has appeared on many radio shows and on television. Sean owns ‘Sean James Consulting & Design’ and instructs at Mohawk College.
