Lola Anthony began discovering the power of advocacy when she was eight years old.

Sometimes there are moments in our childhood that lay down a path that we don’t see until much later. When a beloved tree was going to be removed, Lola organized a protest to try to save it. The effort was ultimately unsuccessful, but the experience showed her something important: she could bring people together around an issue that mattered.

That early willingness she experienced to speak up about something she cared for, has continued to shape Lola’s participation in her school and community.

A student at École Secondaire Jules-Verne, Lola has been involved with Girls to the Power of Math, an initiative that encourages girls to build confidence and dive more fully in mathematics. She has also helped lead the program within the francophone community, creating greater access and connection for French-speaking students.

Lola is a co-founder of Wandering and Pondering, a podcast centred on feminism and social justice. Through the podcast, she and her co-host examine teenage culture and consider how young people experience and respond to larger systems of power.

At school, Lola serves as president of the Model United Nations Club, where students explore global issues, diplomacy, and the importance of thoughtful dialogue.

Across each of these areas, Lola demonstrates curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to ask difficult questions. From the onset, she’s been involved in the world around her. She is helping shape it, one action at a time.

Soroptimist International of Vancouver is proud to recognize Lola as a 2026 Violet Richardson Award recipient and to celebrate the leadership, courage, and social awareness she brings to her community.