Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic Honours Marissa Kokkoros and Iman Mohamed with 2025 Spirit of Schlifer Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, ON, April 11, 2025 – Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic proudly announces the recipients of the 2025 Spirit of Barbra Schlifer Award: Marissa Kokkoros and Iman Mohamed. This esteemed award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to supporting women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing violence.

Marissa Kokkoros, the Founder and Executive Director of Aura Freedom International, has cultivated deep relationships with women’s rights defenders and advocates worldwide. She has maintained lasting and loyal friendships with survivors of gender-based violence across various regions. Marissa’s passion for addressing the root causes of violence against women and advancing systemic change through grassroots advocacy is evident in every project she undertakes. She has consulted at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government, contributing to strategies, action plans, policies, and legislation addressing gender-based violence in Canada. Marissa advocates for intersectional, human rights-based approaches with a strong focus on Primary Prevention efforts.

Iman Mohamed is a passionate advocate for access to justice, equity, and community empowerment. As the Executive Director of the Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC), she leads efforts to provide culturally and linguistically responsive legal services to Muslim and marginalized communities across Ontario. She is also the founder of the Muslim Freedom Fund, an initiative dedicated to providing essential support to precariously housed and unhoused individuals, with a particular focus on serving the Muslim community. Iman’s career spans policy, public advocacy, and community-based initiatives, with a deep commitment to addressing inequities in the legal system.

The Spirit of Schlifer Campaign, dedicated to supporting survivors of violence, continues to be a crucial source of funding for the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of our loyal supporters, the Campaign successfully raises essential funds that sustain our operations, programs, and services. In 2024, the Spirit of Schlifer Campaign raised an impressive $121,450.00, helping the Clinic to provide services to over 16,524 survivors of violence.

As we celebrate the Clinic’s 40th anniversary, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide trauma-informed services to those in need. While we have made tremendous strides over the years, the reality is that our work has only just begun. With the support of generous sponsors, donors, and community members, the Campaign strives to reach its goal of $200,000 to sustain and expand its operations — and we can only do it with your generosity.

Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, proudly congratulates Marissa Kokkoros and Iman Mohamed for their outstanding contributions in ending gender-based violence. Deepa highlights their exceptional dedication, stating, “Marissa and Iman have shown remarkable commitments and made a significant impact in supporting survivors of violence. Their work not only uplifts the lives of those they serve but also strengthens our community’s resilience. We are deeply grateful for their passion and dedication, which truly represents the spirit of Barbra Schlifer that continues to inspire us in forty years of the Clinic’s existence.”

In the clinic’s 40th year, we celebrate our resilience, milestones, and commitment to providing trauma-informed services rooted in the intersectional experiences of marginalized survivors of gender-based violence. Our clinic has always been a sanctuary where every story is heard, everyone is welcomed, and services are delivered with compassion and a trauma-informed approach.

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic 

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic is a specialized clinic for women and gender-diverse people experiencing violence, established in memory of Barbra Teena Schlifer who was an idealistic young lawyer who was murdered in Toronto on the day of her call to the Bar of Ontario, April 11, 1980. The Clinic offers trauma-informed legal services and representation, counselling and multilingual interpretation, and drives system transformation to support women and gender diverse people who have experienced violence. Rooted in the foundations of intersectionality, innovation, and a client-centred approach, we foster the skills and resilience of the people we serve and amplify their voices to create individual and collective change.

Together, we can make a difference and provide the necessary support to those affected by violence. To learn more about the 2025 Spirit of Schlifer Campaign and how to get involved, please visit our campaign website through https://spirit.schliferclinic.com/.

For additional information or media inquiries for interviews and quotes, please contact Madison Buckley at [email protected] 289-497-1048.