MUSKOKA, ON – Anyone who goes above and beyond for their community deserves to be recognized and 14 local women will have a chance at taking home some prestigious hardware.
The nominees for the Women of Distinction Award were announced this week through a press release. The gala event is put on by the YWCA Muskoka for females who inspire others. The organization tries to create positive change for women and girls through education, leadership and advocacy.
Nominees, nominators, sponsors, staff and volunteers gathered at the YWCA facility in Bracebridge Tuesday for the official announcement.
The Women of Distinction Awards Gala is a signature fundraising event for the YWCA. It also celebrates the accomplishments of women and is apparently recognized through YWCA chapters across the country.
“Over 250 women in Muskoka have been nominated since the award’s inception in 2003,” Hannah Lin, Executive Director of YWCA Muskoka, said. “These women are catalysts for change and are breaking new ground and old barriers to improved the lives of others”.
The 2019 nominees vying for the eight awards were announced in alphabetical order as follows:
- Kim Aitken, Huntsville
- Margaret Dollar, Utterson
- Ellen Duffield, Rosseau
- Patti Hanrath, Huntsville
- Erin Kerr, Bracebridge
- Diane Litchfield, Huntsville
- Marie Lloyd, Huntsville
- Karen Patterson, Huntsville
- J’aime Payne, Huntsville
- Darlene Poirer, Utterson
- Cailan Punnewaert, Rosseau
- Kai Rannick, Kearney
- Kalleen Turchet, Bracebridge
- Sandra Winspear, Bracebridge
The awards the women are up for are:
- Young Woman of Distinction
- Mentorship
- Arts, Culture and Creativity
- Health, Sports and Wellness
- Community Development and Social Activism
- Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Transformational
- Lifetime Achievement.
The big day will be Friday, October 25 at Mark O’Meara Course at Grandview in Huntsville. Tickets can be purchased on the YWCA website and will be $75 for members and $95 for general admission. Tickets can also be purchased at the YWCA Office in Bracebridge.
Silent auction items are still being accepted. Anyone interested in donating can contact the YWCA online.