Four Estevan women with diverse backgrounds and interests were named as the winners of the 2012 Women of Today Awards last Wednesday.
The annual awards luncheon, which is organized by Quota International of Estevan and the Estevan Lions Club, was held before a sold-out audience at the Wylie-Mitchell Hall, the first time the event had been held there after residing at the Days Inn Plaza since it began 14 years ago.
The event also featured a rousing speech from Dr. June LeDrew, a professor in the kinesiology and health sciences department at the University of Regina who touched on the need to stay active and the growing problem of childhood inactivity.
However, as always, the focus of the luncheon was on the four awards and hearing their names called this year were Wanda Harrron, who won the SaskTel Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award; Linda Murphy, who won the SaskPower Outstanding Contribution to the Workplace Award; Dr. Sarah Sliva, who won the Ida Petterson Memorial Award for Outstanding Entrepreneur and Kelci Little, winner of the Shirley Orsted Memorial Award for Outstanding Young Women of Today.
Since beginning volunteer work at the Woodlawn Golf Club in the late 1970s, Murphy has been a familiar at the course, working in the clubhouse and helping out in whatever capacity she is needed. Murphy was also a critical part of the team that has helped Woodlawn battle back from last year's flooding that devastated the course and the clubhouse, volunteering her home to serve as the temporary office for the club while repairs were carried out.
Murphy thanked her husband Pat for "putting up" with her while she helped Woodlawn bounce back.
"We kind of moved the golf course head office to one room in my house," Murphy said "and all the flotsam and jetsam that came with it. My family has been putting up with the comings and goings of everybody at all kinds of times. It was an experience that I am glad I've done, but I don't ever want to repeat it."
Although she has been in Estevan for a relatively short period, Sliva clearly has made an impact on the community as her selection for the entrepreneurial award attests to. Sliva, who is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, opened South East Eyecare in 2011. She used her acceptance speech to challenge her fellow women to chase their dreams whatever they may be.
"The next time you have an ambition or a dream, don't let anybody tell you that it can't be done because we have all proven that it can be done," she said.
While speaking to the media after the luncheon, Sliva said it was an honour to win the award and admitted she has been surprised with their success in just over a year of operation.
"We have definitely received many more rewards than we had anticipated that first year."
A student at the Estevan Comprehensive School, Kelci was recognized for her involvement on a number of school programs including the basketball and volleyball teams. Kelci is also the vice-president on the school's SRC.
"I'm very honoured to receive this award," she said. "It feels good to give back and help people out."
Since football arrived in Estevan, Harron has been one of the driving forces behind the program, volunteering her time as a coach and organizer. She was also a key part of the team that helped bring the TSN Kraft Celebration Tour to Estevan in August 2011.
Harron said her time with Estevan Minor Football has been incredibly rewarding, especially when the program was going through its initial growing pains.
"In 2008 and 2009 we went through winless seasons, losing some games by scores of 72-0. But most of the kids did not care because they were out there having fun playing the game.
"Fast forward to 2010 and the first game of the year we won in Regina. Seeing the joy in those kids faces and turning to my manager Val and the coaches on the team, we could barely look at each other because of the tears in our eyes from seeing the joy of those kids. That is why I coach football."
The proceeds from the luncheon will be donated to local schools to purchase FM sound systems for the classrooms and to the Envision Counselling and Support Centre.
