The SOCAN Foundation is proud to announce the two recipients of the inaugural HER Music Awards sponsored by RE:SOUND. During the evening of Feb. 6, 2020, Haviah Mighty (Toronto, ON) and Leela Gilday (Yellowknife, NT) each received a $5,000 prize during a full-house reception held in downtown Toronto.
“The HER Music Awards are designed to celebrate and support female-identified people building momentum, as music creators on the verge of taking their creative careers to the next level,” said Charlie Wall-Andrews, Executive Director of SOCAN Foundation. “This program is also designed to empower award recipients, and to help them reach their full potential.”
The recipients were selected by a jury composed of Cris Derksen, Frannie Holder, and Martine Groulx. All applications were evaluated on the basis of the quality of their musical work, career potential, as well as the impact that receiving an award would have on their personal development as an artist.
“Women are making incredible music all over this world right now!” said Leela Gilday. “Hearing it, lifting it up, working with women, and honouring women in music will enrich all of us. I hope to use the award to continue to blaze trails for more young women, so that one day a young female musician can look around and say, ‘There used to be gender bias in the music industry?’”
“I became aware of the HER Music Awards shortly before applying,” said Haviah Mighty. “As a mid-level, female Canadian musician, I felt this award was right up my alley. Still, I was surprised to hear that I’m a recipient, and very grateful to have been considered. I’m committed to continuing to push the conversation of female perspective in these ways, and think it’s amazing that more and more music outlets (and others) are acknowledging the female contribution. Our stories as Canadian women are diverse, and should be a part of the stories we tell as a country.”
These awards are one of the many SOCAN Foundation competitions that, for more than 25 years, have allowed the organization to financially support promising Canadian artists, while underscoring their merit and their outstanding artistic expression.