COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake AG Society held its annual Women of Influence Awards on March 8, International Women’s Day.
This event marked a significant milestone, as it was the 10th iteration of the awards, despite the event's 12-year history, which faced a pause due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by a committee passionate about recognizing women's diverse contributions to their communities, the ceremony served as a tribute to unsung heroes and leaders.
“This is our 10th event this year... If you haven't come before, we really appreciate it," said Stephanie Oleksyn, a lawyer and partner at Drake and Todd, opening the evening and acknowledging support from the community over the years
"Of course it is today, International Women's Day, so this actually falls on International Women's Day, it doesn't always, but that's how we started this event, is in a way to commemorate International Women's Day," Oleksyn explained.
“We wanted... a unique celebration, because there's lots of these types of events, but they generally focus on women in business and then that's it," Oleksyn continued. “And so, one of the things that our committee thought was important is to recognize that there are different ways that women contribute.”
She added, "We play such a large role in enriching the community, and so we wanted this to be a platform to recognize those women, those often unsung heroes, the stay-at-home mom who does all the volunteering for her kids' school... all those different ways that as women we give back that often, maybe we don't see," Oleksyn emphasized.
Oleksyn shed light on the inception of the event, attributing its origins to Audrey McFarlane's visionary initiative.
"How this actually started was Audrey McFarlane, who is here somewhere... spearheaded the creation of the Second Floor Women's Recovery Center, which is associated with the Lakeland Center for FASD.” Oleksyn continued, emphasizing McFarlane's vision for the center.
"She had this vision that women who are struggling and going through recovery, that they need to be able to look around and see other women who are doing good things. That they can look around and say, look at all the great things these women are doing, and I have role models in my own community."
As the ceremony progressed, various awards were presented, each sponsored by local organizations committed to recognizing women's achievements across different domains. The winners exemplified excellence in their respective fields, inspiring those around them through their dedication and impact.
A total of seven awards were presented, and a keynote speaker also took to the stage.
The winners of the awards include:
Arts and Culture Award - Dana Schwab, an English and Drama teacher, was recognized for her outstanding achievements in playwriting. Her award-winning plays have not only gained national attention but have also garnered international recognition.
Business and Professional Award - Sherri Buckle, Executive Director of the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Community Volunteerism Award - Kim Schmidtz was honoured for her tireless efforts in supporting marginalized individuals and advocating for mental health awareness through her work with FCSS.
Health and Wellness Award - Paulette Dahlseide was recognized for her dedication to promoting physical and mental well-being in the community.
Science and Technology Award - Laura Gantz was honoured for her significant contributions to the STEM field and her commitment to inspiring future generations of women in science.
Older Woman Award - Cathy Aust was awarded for her resilience and her positive influence on the community through her ongoing initiatives.
Before announcing the final award, keynote speaker Trisha Vergo, a native of Cold Lake and a renowned Canadian TV personality, shared a story and delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of empowering women and recognizing their invaluable contributions to society and how it is important for them to lift each other up.
The pinnacle of the evening was the Overall Women of Influence Award, presented to Audrey McFarlane. McFarlane's dedication to her community and leadership qualities exemplified the spirit of the award.
In her acceptance speech, McFarlane expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of being acknowledged by her peers.
“Thank you very much. It's very important, I think, for us to be recognized at home by our peers," McFarlane shared.
