Three North Shore women are among the recipients of an award celebrating their superb achievements and community contributions.
Winners of the 42nd annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards were announced last week, with individuals and organizations earning recognition for their outstanding contributions that foster well-being, strength and future of the community, the organization said in a press release.
Annita McPhee took home the award in the Reconciliation in Action category, where there were six other nominees. She is the principal and owner of conference provider Annita McPhee Strategies, launching the company in 2015. After its launch, McPhee's company quickly became a “leading conference provider and community facilitator for First Nations, Indigenous women, industry and government bodies.”
On top of that, McPhee is also recognized for her advocacy work. She is the founder of Protect Our Indigenous Sisters, a society that addresses violence, abuse and inter-generational trauma while also bringing awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
In the Education, Training & Development category, Kim van der Woerd won the award. She is the founder and lead for strategy and relations at Reciprocal Consulting, “which aims to contribute to the ongoing well-being, self-determination and Nation-building of Indigenous communities,” the press release said.
Founded in 2003, the company offers research and evaluation services. Through her work, more than 1,200 researchers, evaluators, funders and professionals have been trained in understanding the continuing impacts of colonization, the press release said.
Cindy Beedie won the award for being a “Community Champion,” a category recognizing women who have initiated meaningful change using their own time and resources.
Beedie is the executive director of the Beedie Foundation and is a leader in philanthropic work in the community, supporting initiatives in cluding housing projects, women’s education and health-care facilities.
A few years ago, she co-founded Beedie Rocks, a music festival that raised more than $2 million for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and nearly $1 million for the YWCA Metro Vancouver.
But the work hasn’t stopped there, as she’s chaired projects and raised funds for the VPD Foundation and the women-only shelter Powell Place in Vancouver. She is also the naming donor for YWCA Cindy Beedie Place, which provides affordable housing for more than 50 low-income single mothers and their children.
The awards were formally presented at the Women of Distinction Awards Gala at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver on April 28.
To see the other 2025 YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction Award winners, head to their website.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
https://bsky.app/profile/abbyluciano.bsky.social
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