2020 is a year that we will remember for having completely changed our reality. During this special year, we have witnessed powerful societal changes of historic proportions. Today, more than ever, it is important to speak up, loudly and proudly, in support of those values that define us.
In 2020, we invited seven Canadian ambassadors to share their voices and help women “wear their own”, proudly and beautifully. In collaboration with the Reitmans design team, each ambassador created her own personal, artistic T-shirt design in support of seven great charities that help promote values of education, empowerment, inclusion and diversity.
For each T-shirt sold online and in-store between August 17 to September 27, 2020, Reitmans committed to donate $5 to these great causes, up to a maximum of $10,000 for each cause. Thanks to your support, we reached our goal and donated a total of $70,000 to support these great charities chosen by our ambassadors.
Now, we invite you to listen to their amazing stories and engagements.
scroll down to discover more
There’s no need
to put on a brave
face, you are
the brave face.
- Jully Black
supports The Pinball Clemons Foundation
Jully Black
Listen on your favorite platform
Canadian singer-songwriter, producer and actress, Jully Black has received many honors including Junos. She is the founder of 100 Strong and Sexy (100SAS) which focuses on the health and wellness of the global community by helping others make deeper cultural connections in mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness. Using various resources, the organization wishes to build bridges big enough for everyone to cross.
Vocal advocacy for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, inclusion and diversity are values close to her heart. Through her powerful voice, Jully aspires to make the invisible visible. She also wants to encourage women to feel strong and confident in their skin.
This tee
has something
to say.
Jully’s T-shirt speaks to her desire for women to say ‘’I am’’, instead of ‘’I am not’’. She wants to inspire women to describe themselves in positive, kind and empowering ways. The square represents the idea of completing a sentence and that women have the choice to choose how to define themselves.
This T-shirt supports the Pinball Clemons Foundation.
Defend
being yourself,
no matter who
you are
- Ariane Moffatt
supports The Jasmin Roy Sophie Desmarais Foundation
Ariane Moffatt
Listen on your favorite platform
* Please note this audio is only available in French.
Canadian singer-songwriter, Ariane Moffatt is one of the most popular pop artists in Quebec.
Strong advocate of the LGBTQ+ communities, she values inclusion and diversity. She aspires to live in a world where respect, love and differences coexist in harmony.
This tee
has something
to say.
Ariane’s T-shirt embodies the strength and beauty found in inclusion. She wants to inspire people to cultivate their difference and embrace it. The illustration by Mathilde Corbeil is meant to represent sorority, harmony and togetherness.
This T-shirt supports the Jasmin Roy Sophie Desmarais Foundation.
I came from
a nation that
didn’t see
representation
in skincare or
cosmetics.
- Arianna Lauren
supports The Urban Native Youth Association
arianna lauren
Listen on your favorite platform
Pioneering beauty entrepreneur and daughter of the Cowichan tribe, Arianna hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, where she calls home and proudly represents as the Coast Salish Territory.
Inspired by Coast Salish culture, Arianna embraces her heritage and passion in beauty by combining ancestral knowledge with northwest native plant extracts. In doing so, she hopes to connect today’s youth with the natural world.
This tee
has something
to say.
Arianna’s T-shirt speaks to her passion in medicinal skincare and Coast Salish culture.
The illustration is done in traditional tattoo style, a frequent source of inspiration for her. The cedar and nootka are symbols of healing and wellness. The Salish Eye symbolizes looking forward.
Part of the proceeds from her t-shirt’s sale will go towards The Urban Native Youth Association.
I see myself
as handicapable,
not handicap.
- Michelle Salt
supports The Classroom Champions Foundation
Michelle Salt
Listen on your favorite platform
Paralympic snowboarder with 14 World Cup podiums, Michelle Salt embodies perseverance and courage. After losing her right leg in a life threatening accident, she chose to see the opportunity in her tragedy. She became the first female Canadian Paralympic snowboarder.
She aspires to give the next generation the tools to live their best life. Michelle also wants to inspire others by sharing her story and showing that a difficult moment doesn’t have to define a person forever. Body positivity advocate, she wants to illustrate that with determination everything can be possible no matter the challenges we may face.
This tee
has something
to say.
The purpose of Michelle’s T-shirt is to inspire the next generation and she wants to prove nothing is out of reach. Inspired by her near-death experience, the heartbeat represents life and the idea that Michelle came back stronger.
This T-shirt supports The Classroom Champions Foundation.
We get
to create our
own family,
we choose our
own people
- Brooke Lynn Hytes
supports The 519 - Space for Change Foundation
Brooke Lynn Hytes
Listen on your favorite platform
Equal parts ballerina, showgirl, and 90’s supermodel, Brooke Lynn Hytes is drag perfection - personified. Also well known as Queen of the North, Brooke Lynn is the first Canadian drag queen to participate in the popular TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
She aspires to help people from all walks of life to lead fulfilling lives, just as they are. She wants to encourage people to feel good and proud about themselves.
This tee
has something
to say.
Brooke Lynn’s T-shirt speaks to her desire for every woman to find the queen within herself and to challenge her power. In this spirit, her T-shirt features her nickname "Queen of the North".
Part of the proceeds from her T-shirt’s sale will go towards the the 519 - Space for Change Foundation.
Reading about
someone who is
completely
unlike yourself
can be
revolutionary.
- Esi Edugyan
supports The Victoria Literacy Connection Foundation
Esi Edugyan
Listen on your favorite platform
Two-time winner of the Giller Prize for her books Washington Black and Half Blood Blues, Esi is a renowned Ghanaian-Canadian novelist recognized for her work in telling Black people’s history and diaspora.
Inspired by thinkers and writers of the past and present, Esi exercises her powerful voice to question the concept of nation, people, belonging, and wishes to share the power and freedom found in literacy.
This tee
has something
to say.
The purpose of Esi’s T-shirt is to share the power and freedom found in literacy. Featuring a powerful line from her novel Washington Black: ‘’Nothing is possible until it is made so’’. Her T-shirt is inspired by the legacy of forgotten thinkers.
Part of the proceeds from her T-shirt’s sale will go towards The Victoria Literacy Connection Foundation.
Embracing
your beauty no
matter what
you look like.
- Louise Green
supports The Girls Action Foundation
Louise Green
Listen on your favorite platform
Louise is a coach, athlete, author and activist. In 2017, she wrote her ground-breaking book ‘’Big Fit Girl’’. She works relentlessly to change the narrative around body size and standards in the fitness industry.
Body positivity and empowerment advocate, Louise’s mission is to be part of a positive future for the women of tomorrow. Through her platforms, her goal is to help women embrace their body and to promote a positive body image.
This tee
has something
to say.
Fearless, powerful and beautiful are three words extremely important for Louise. Inspired by impactful action, she wants to make a positive change for women and encourage them to feel confident no matter their shape or size.
This T-shirt supports The Girls Action Foundation.
Show your
support
by wearing it
Join these seven strong women who are using their voices to help charities by raising money, one T-shirt at a time.