ESTEVAN - The Southeast Saskatchewan Women of Distinction Awards committe announced the 2023 nominees last Tuesday during an invitational high tea at the Southeast College's Estevan campus.
A total of 24 women were nominated between the five different award categories this year. Their nominations and pictures can be found throughout this week's paper or online at Southeast Women of Distinction website. Each category will see one winner, who will be announced on May 10 during the SE Women of Distinction Award luncheon.
Winners will be decided by a panel of independent judges.
Becky Cassidy, the committee chairwoman and master of ceremony for the event, opened with a quote by Michelle Obama.
"'There is a power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story and using your authentic voice.' World history is full of female pioneers who make progress in the fields of politics, arts, science, law and humanities. There are women all over the world, who not just dreamed of success, but have worked very hard and have achieved it," Cassidy said.
She noted that a woman of distinction is someone who makes a significant difference in their community by showing vision, creativity and initiative. Someone who has been a role model and continually inspires others. Someone who is innovative, breaks new ground and continues to be an agent for others. And those women they want to celebrate through the renewed award ceremony.
For the Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award, presented by Steam Est. Industries, the candidates are Jen Lozinsky, Ashley Gallaway, Haley Ingham, Connie Hagel, Cathy Welta, Nicole Currie, and Peggy Rohatyn and Debby Knight. Rohatyn and Knight are nominated together.
This award recognizes influential community builders whose contributions and/or leadership moves have helped to create a community where everyone can thrive. Women may be nominated for their outstanding community service in either a paid position or a volunteer capacity with respect to creating, enhancing or improving the local programs or the community itself.
Nominees for Outstanding Contribution to the Workplace Award, presented by TS&M Supply, are Agnes Garrioch, Kristin Dupuis, Melanie Tribiger, Lindsay Brownridge, Kathryn Gilliss and Shelly Mack.
This award is for women with exemplary achievements beyond the scope of their paid work that improve their workplaces, professions or community; and who reach beyond their professional expectations to inspire, mentor and enable others to improve their workplaces or their community.
Nikita Meyer, Dr. Rebecca Holman, Maria Walter, Leann Boehm and Jennifer Olfert are nominated for the Innovative Leadership Award, presented by SaskTel.
This award is to recognize women who have built successful businesses or women leading within their careers who have become inspirational leaders and role models for other women. It's for women creating and implementing innovative programs, practices, partnerships, policies or/and activities that significantly improve the lives of women or the community.
New this year, the Equity & Inclusion Award, presented by Saskatchewan Blue Cross, saw Ramona Knebush, Margaret Messer and Debbie Hagel nominated. This award recognizes women for leadership, resilience and activism to further advance efforts to improve the community or the culture for the next generation.
Raegan Walter and Kylie Phillipchuk are vying for the Young Visionary Award, presented by Impact Creative SK. This is the category to recognize young individuals under the age of 20 who set examples for others through their exemplary achievements in academics, athletics, volunteerism or community building.
"If you were nominated, regardless of whether you win or not, you're deserving of all the recognition in the world. Each one of these women is inspiring, determined, hardworking and tremendously amazing. So congratulations to all," Cassidy said at the high tea.
Also, during the event, it was announced that four women who made great contributions to the area during their lives will be the first to be enshrined through the Trailblazer Memorial Walk presented by TruckMart. They are Ida Petterson, Shirley Orsted, Melodye Pierson and Shirley Carson.
"These outstanding women were first to do something or to go somewhere that gave other women the opportunity to follow and the knowledge that was needed to make it possible for them to do so," Cassidy said.
Peterson was the first female mayor is Saskatchewan, as well as an extraordinary businesswoman, founder of the Estevan Regional Nursing Home, one of the instrumental people in the creation of Estevan Shoppers Mall and a supporter and advocate for the Estevan Arts Council.
Orsted dedicated her life to education. She was also a founder of the Quota Club in Estevan, a key person in establishing the Women of Today awards, and recognized the values that young people bring to the world, knowing children are the future.
Pierson was an outstanding female entrepreneur and an extraordinary volunteer and ambassador for the City of Estevan, a true supporter of people and the community, and the longest serving billet parent for the Estevan Bruins.
Carson – a true philanthropist – was helping to create a better community and a better world throughout her life. A role model for authentic living, she lived her faith and values. She was an active volunteer and leader for many community projects and created therapeutic spaces for all to share.
During the luncheon, the Quota Club of Estevan was saluted for running the Women of Today Awards from 1999-2019. The Southeast Women of Distinction Awards is a new event intended to carry on the tradition of the Women of Today Awards in Estevan, which had been presented in the community for 21 years. In 2023, women continue to achieve success in their fields, overcome barriers, and juggle the many responsibilities of life.
A local committee, Women 4 Women, is organizing this year's SE Women of Distinction Awards. It consists of Cassidy (event committee chairwoman); Tania Hlohovsky-Andrist (nominations and awards committee chairwoman); Breanne Van De Woestyne (public relations); Mary Anne Veroba (awards banquet, entertainment and program); Brittany Zahn (nominee announcement celebration); Michelle Erdman (finance); and Tara Daoust and Lori Gervais (guest experience).
The vision of the organizing committee is to amplify the accomplishments of women in the five award categories, in their workplace and in the community, through leadership, hard work or the perseverance to overcome obstacles to success.
Profits from the event will be donated to two streams: programming for children living with disabilities, and breakfast cupboards at elementary schools in the region. These have been the core recipients of fundraising efforts in the past.
The Southeast Women of Distinction Awards – presented by Support You Life Coaching and Consulting by Stacey Wempe – will be handed out on May 10 at the Estevan Exhibition Hall. A guest speaker, Corliss Rassyle, will deliver her Be the Best You speech.
Tickets are $40/person and $300/table of eight and can be purchased at Henders Drugs in Estevan or arranged through emailing the committee at southeast4women@gmail.com.
