Women of Today nominations were unveiled at a ceremony March 25, and in the 17th year of the event, 19 local women are being recognized for their efforts in the community.
The Women of Today Awards are organized by the Estevan Quota Club along with the Oil Wives Club of Estevan. Quota club president Roni Sue Coulter acted as emcee during the nomination luncheon in the Taylorton Room of the Days Inn.
Women of Today Awards Chair Valerie Hall said the event is simply an opportunity to recognize women in Estevan.
“We honour these women who work really hard in our community in all aspects, from the workplace to the community,” said Hall.
What started out 17 years ago as a simple workplace award for an outstanding woman in the community has become an all-encompassing afternoon to celebrate women across the city. The award categories include outstanding contribution to the workplace, outstanding entrepreneur, outstanding contribution to the community and outstanding young woman of today.
“For the community, it really is a great event to recognize the women. We also honour other women who are working in the community,” added Hall, who said the funds raised are also used to provide support for a number of initiatives in Estevan.
Sacred Heart School/École Sacré Coeur is the local school that received funds for an FM sound system. Quota has funded other such systems in schools across the city.
The Women of Today Awards received $5,000 from Legacy Oil and Gas, and another $2,000 from Power Dodge.
The Women of Today Awards will be held on April 22. Along with the announcement of this year’s winners, the featured guest speaker at the event will be Joanne Alexander, a native of southeast Saskatchewan, graduate of Estevan Comprehensive School and selected as one of Canada’s top 100 most powerful women in 2014. Alexander is the senior vice-president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Precision Drilling Corporation in Calgary.
While Hall is pleased to have so many women nominated this year, she said they still don’t scratch the surface of the women who are doing great things in the community.
“With 19 nominees, it is really incredible to have, and we look forward to recognizing these women and paying it forward next year, because I know there are just as many who we are leaving out,” said Hall. “The judges have a really difficult time.”
The adjudication is carried out by volunteers from the City of Weyburn.
Tickets for the awards event may be purchased at Loving Touch Florist.
