Awards presented on International Women’s Day

By Rob Vogt

Outstanding women were honoured on the weekend with International Women’s Day awards.
The Claresholm Social Centre was packed on Saturday, March 8, to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Mary Holgate, the main organizer, welcomed everyone and explained how far the event has come.
Two years ago the awards were presented to the winners where they worked and lived.
Last year, an event was held downtown at the Century 21 office, where the winners received their awards.
This year, the awards have grown to fill the social centre to capacity.
“It’s about recognizing every one of you,” Holgate said. “We all need each other to grow.
“That’s when another lady can pick you up and help you.”
This year, the selection committee received 49 nominations.
“Every one of you ladies in this room is deserving of every award,” Holgate said.
Chelsae Petrovic, MLA for Livingstone-Macleod, was on hand to help present the awards, but also said a few words commemorating International Women’s Day.
She said she would never have made it as far as she had without many of the women seated in attendance.
“It’s because of the amazing women in this room,” Petrovic said. “You’ve been inspiring.”
“Remember, we can do pretty much anything we want to when we put our mind to it,” she later added.
Awards were then presented to:
• Dianne Hillmer, domestic engineer.
• Lise LeMoine, woman of inspiration.
• Amanda Zimmer, leader in business.
• Wanda Brooks, education leader.
• Paige Barnard, lemonade award.
• Santanna Thom, community champion.
“Everyone who was nominated, had amazing things written about them,” Holgate said afterwards, while presenting the nominations packages to each nominee.
“Just remember, look out for each other,” she concluded.
(For full coverage please see pages 11-13)