Lucya Spencer
Women of Inspiration
The late Lucya Spencer was a passionate and tireless advocate for immigrant and racialized women, dedicating nearly five decades to advancing their rights and wellbeing. Her life’s work fused a powerful sense of justice with deep compassion, humility, and resolve. As a respected leader and mentor, Lucya helped shape public discourse and community responses to violence against women, immigration, and integration.
Born in Antigua, Lucya first visited Ottawa in 1976 before settling in the city permanently in 1982. She quickly became active in the Ottawa-Carleton Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), where she helped coordinate a women’s cooperative that included a catering service, a craft store, and a seamstress collective. This early work built the foundation for what would become a lifelong mission: creating pathways to independence and safety for immigrant women.
In 1988, Lucya co-founded Immigrant and Visible Minority Women Against Abuse, now Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO). The organization provides culturally appropriate services to immigrant women and children who are survivors of violence, and supports their empowerment through counseling, training, and settlement services. In 1993, Lucya became IWSO’s Executive Director—a role she held until her passing in 2017—guiding the organization through growth and challenges, particularly amid shifting funding climates.
Lucya’s frontline experience made her a powerful advocate at the local, provincial, and national levels. She worked relentlessly to ensure the voices of immigrant women and families were heard in policymaking circles. She served as president of several key organizations, including the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada, the Ontario Immigrant and Visible Minority Women’s Organization, and the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa where she was the first person of colour to hold the role.
Her influence extended globally through her participation in United Nations delegations on women’s rights and anti-racism, and her role in organizing the first World Conference on Family Violence which was held in Singapore in 1998. Locally, she was a board member of Crime Prevention Ottawa, co-chair of the Ontario Network of Language Interpretation Services, and an active member of the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, where she championed language access.
Lucya also served as president of the World Skills Employment Centre, helping immigrants secure meaningful employment and navigate systemic barriers. She was a sought-after speaker, frequently sharing her expertise on violence against women, cultural sensitivity, and integration challenges.
Her extraordinary contributions were widely recognized. Among her many accolades were the Governor General’s Canadian Study Conference Appreciation Award (1995), the United Way Community Builder Award (2008), the OCASI Award of Excellence (2008), and a Citizenship and Immigration Canada Recognition Award (2013). In 2011, she received the Black Women’s Civic Engagement Award for her leadership in building stronger communities across Canada.
Lucya Spencer passed away peacefully at home on February 15, 2017, at age 73. She is remembered as a courageous leader, beloved mentor, and devoted mother to her daughter Andrea. Her legacy continues to inspire those who work for equity, inclusion, and justice in Ottawa and beyond.
