At the Essence & Culture Awards, Moyosore Somide was honoured with the Black Achievement Community Award in recognition of her commitment to community service and legal advocacy.

In her acceptance speech, she highlighted her work at Community Legal Services (Western Law), where she supports low-income and marginalized individuals — particularly women and children — by providing free legal assistance in family and criminal law matters. Through this work, she helps bridge critical gaps in access to justice for those who would otherwise struggle to navigate the legal system.

This recognition reflects not only her professional excellence, but her dedication to using the law as a tool for impact, equity, and service.

What does access to justice really look like for women and girls? In this powerful International Women’s Day talk, Moyosore Somide shares eye-opening stories from the frontlines of community legal services — stories of women navigating abuse, language barriers, and overwhelming systems alone.

With honesty and compassion, she reveals how justice is often out of reach for those who need it most, even in a country like Canada. But this is not just a story of gaps, it’s a call to action. Through practical, everyday steps, she shows how anyone can help break the cycle and become part of the solution.