FOR more than two decades, the YWCA has been recognizing women for significant achievements and contributions to their community.
This year, there are many North Shore names among the nominees for the 29th annual YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction Awards. A press release from the organization noted these awards are recognized nationally as among the most prestigious awards in the country.
The YWCA Metro Vancouver provides a range of integrated services for women and their families, including those related to housing, health, fitness employment and more, notes the release. This year, the competition has added a new category: Environmental Sustainability. The release also states that as well as the 11 nomination categories the nominees are also eligible for the Connecting the Community Award. For this award, nominees select a YWCA program they are interested in and use social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, to get votes. From April 19 to May 22, members of the public may cast their votes, and the nominee with the most votes receives the award, as well as $10,000 from Scotiabank to donate to the YWCA program of her choice. The recipients of the Women of Distinction Awards will be announced on May 24 during an awards dinner. Tickets are available from YWCA Metro Vancouver.
The following is a list of the North Shore nominees.
- Cindy Dobbe, Dolores Elliott and Deborah Grimm - Community Building category
- Sandy Gerber - Business and the Professions category
- Valerie Overgaard - Education, Training and Development category
- Lisa Martin - Entrepreneurship category
- Kristine Chambers - Health, Wellness and Active Living category
- Karen Magnussen - Health, Wellness and Active Living category
- Karin Kirkpatrick - Non-Profit and Public Service category
- Catherine Roome - Non-Profit and Public Service category
- Melinda Giampietro -Education, Training and Development category
- Debi Hewson - Non-Profit and Public Service category
For more information and a full list of nominees, visit www.ywcavan.org.
