Two remarkable women from Ottawa's Jewish community, Linda Kerzner and Sharon Appotive, have been honoured by Ottawa’s Distinguished Women, an organization that celebrates the achievements and contributions of women across the city.

Started by Maria Ricci, this volunteer-led initiative strives to acknowledge the many contributions of women, particularly in the creation of Ottawa’s social infrastructure. 

“These systems … were built by women,” she said. “Yet they weren’t reflected in the spaces and names that define our public memory.”

Determined to change that, Ricci assembled a diverse group of volunteers to build what would become the program’s cornerstone: a digital platform dedicated to documenting and celebrating the achievements of women connected to Ottawa.

Using an independent jury system, each nomination is reviewed by three jurors who assess candidates individually, without consulting one another.

This year, for the first time, two Jewish women have been nominated: Linda Kerzner as a lifetime contributor, and Sharon Appotive as a community pillar.

Kerzner, who has served both the city and its Jewish community for over four decades, has been recognized for her unwavering dedication, strategic vision, and deep sense of responsibility.

She has been a member of the boards of the Human Resources Professional Association, the Women’s Business Network, the Ottawa Board of Trade, and the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Additionally, through her leadership with the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, she helped strengthen international connections when she was asked to join the organizing committee for Dragon Boat Israel. Linda contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to planning and preparation, travelling to Israel multiple times in advance of the event.

She served as Chair of the Board of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa from 2015 to 2017, co-chaired its Annual Campaign, and helped lead the community’s first strategic planning process. Just last year, she received the Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Leadership Award, the highest honour within the Ottawa Jewish community.

“Being recognized in this way has allowed me to look back and reflect on the many years and wide scope of volunteer work that I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in,” Kerzner said. “In addition, it’s also motivated me to continue to try to make a positive impact and to inspire others.”

Recognized as a community pillar, Sharon Appotive also has a long list of charities and organizations with which she has served. 

Her commitment to the long-term sustainability of the community continues through her service on the Board of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation, where she contributes to the stewardship and growth of endowment funds that sustain charitable programs and institutions for generations to come. 

She also plays a key role in Federation’s Life & Legacy initiative, encouraging families and individuals to create legacy gifts that will strengthen the community’s charitable infrastructure well into the future.

In 2020, Sharon and her husband David were also award the Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award. This award recognizes outstanding volunteers who have shown a lifetime of service dedicated to the betterment and enrichment of Jewish life in Ottawa. 

Her leadership has also shaped other philanthropic initiatives and is equally committed to direct service. She volunteers with Jewish Family Services’ StreetSmarts program, which supports vulnerable youth in Ottawa who are facing isolation, hardship, or risk of homelessness, and also contributes her time to Ten Yad, assisting individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, and to the Chevra Kadisha, providing compassionate support to families during times of loss and ensuring dignity and respect at life’s most sensitive moments.

Known throughout the community for her integrity, generosity of spirit, and quiet determination, she consistently places the well-being of others and the strength of the community at the centre of her efforts.

“I always say you have nothing to lose and all to gain,” Appotive said about why she is driven to do the work she has done. “When you surround yourself with the right people, you have a such a wonderful sense of satisfaction and pride in yourself, knowing that you’re able to make that much impact on other’s lives.”

“My first role models came from those who came before me, in my personal life from my two cherished grandmothers and mother-in-law, and in my professional life from my mentors and bosses,” echoed Kerzner. “I’ve been so lucky that every single woman I’ve worked with … created a learning experience for me.”

Both Kerzner and Appotive discussed how getting involved in community work has led to learning new things and being exposed to the immense talents of the community, and expressed that while the recognition is motivating, they don’t do the work they do for the accolades.

“Everything I’ve done has never been about recognition,” Appotive said. “It has always been about the learning and the incredible journey along the way. I’ve gained so much from the experiences and … challenges that I’ve encountered.”

To learn more about Ottawa’s Distinguished Women, click here to visit their website.