Society couldn't run without women, and a local group wants to make sure women who have made outstanding contributions to our community get the attention they deserve.
Society couldn't run without women, and a local group wants to make sure women who have made outstanding contributions to our community get the attention they deserve.
The Cold Lake Women of Influence committee is gearing up for their fourth annual awards night - to acknowledge local women who have made an impact.
"There are just so many different ways that women work and participate in our community to make it the fantastic, great community that it is. It's important to recognize those contributions, particularly that we live in an area that is traditionally dominated by 'male occupations,'" said Stephanie Oleksyn, committee chair.
The committee got a record number of nominations for this year's awards, with almost 40 women being submitted as candidates by their peers. Nominations are now closed, and the review committee is hard at work choosing five deserving women.
"We've had amazing nominations, so really qualified women have been receiving their awards. We're so pleased to be able to acknowledge their good work and their contributions to the community," said committee member Audrey McFarlane.
Nominees for this year include Rachel Ripkens, Pat Coulter, Sherri Bohme, Janelle Sloychuk and Oreen Skiba, among a long list of other women who have helped to make Cold Lake a better place.
To encompass all areas where women could have an influence, the awards have been divided into five categories: overall woman of influence, arts and culture, business and professional, community and volunteerism, and health and wellness.
"Similar events usually focus on professional women, where as our goal was a little bit broader than that to focus on the various ways that women contribute to our community," explained Oleksyn. "We've been very fortunate to get a lot of response to those categories and a recognition that there are a variety of ways that women are involved and giving to the community."
The 2016 Women of Influence Awards are being held on Mar. 4 starting at 7 p.m. at the Harbourview Community Centre. Joining the event this year is keynote speaker Kelsey Ramsden, who was named Canada's top female entrepreneur in 2012 and 2013. She is the founder of her own business services firm and SparkPlay, a children's subscription company.
"Kelsey Ramsden is a great inspiration. She's a female entrepreneur who started all of these organizations and companies and overcame her personal battle with cancer. She has a lovely, inspirational story and has achieved great success, so a really great role model in the business realm," said McFarlane.
Since its start in 2010, the Women of Influence event has seen keynote speakers from a number of sectors. Ramsden follows the likes of Dee Brasseur, the first female CF-18 fighter pilot; Maude Barlow, author and chairperson of the Council of Canadians; and Canadian Olympic figure skater Jamie Salé.
In an effort to recognize the talents of even more local women, each year the Women of Influence committee chooses an artist from the area to create the awards to be given out. McFarlane said they have chosen an artist for this year, but they're not ready to reveal who it is quite yet.
"We have a wonderful local artist that we're going to unveil in the next week or so...it's very exciting and a new kind of award. Every year we pick a different kind of artist, so we've had stained glass kinds of awards, glass carvings, paintings - this year is something quite unique."
With the artist chosen and the nominations closed, the committee's main focus now is ticket sales. While the night is all about women, both men and women are encouraged to attend to show their support for deserving members of the community.
"It's really important to continue to push the envelope and acknowledge that women are leaders in the community, influencing policy and practice and doing great things," said McFarlane.
Starting at 7 p.m., attendees will be able to indulge in hors d'oeuvres and desserts by Joly's Fine Cuisine, as well as take part in the a new addition to the event this year: wine tasting from around the world. The formal award presentation with commence at 8 p.m. Tickets for the 2016 Cold Lake Women of Influence awards event can be purchased at the Lakeland Centre for FASD, Todd & Drake LLP, or Sinful Delights.
Oleksyn expressed that it's going to be a night of networking and motivation that you won't want to miss.
"It's inspiring and encouraging to realize we have some pretty incredible people in our small area and I think this night really puts it on display...It's really great to support and see the different ways women are involved in our community."
For more information, contact the Lakeland Centre for FASD at 780-594-9905, email [email protected], or visit their website at womenofinfluencecoldlake.org.
