Women Reap Rewards

They may have come from all walks of life but winners of the Women Front and Centre awards all had one thing in common, a commitment to their community.

The recipients were recognized in 10 categories at the third annual awards ceremony at the Penticton Lakeside Resort Saturday organized by the South Okanagan Women in Need Society.

“It went fabulously, it was a sell out,” said society executive director Eleanor Summer about the evening that was held in conjunction with International Women‘s Day. “What these awards say to me about the women who won them is that people here recognize the absolutely integral contribution women make to the running of our community.

“I was just so pleased to see, A — the support, and B — the number of nominations. It’s just too bad we only had 10 awards to give out.”

There were a total of 74 nominations however only 62 of those whose names were put forward accepted which was a little surprising and disappointing to the executive director.

Those nominated ranged in age from 14-92. The executive director was also grateful to the many sponsors and the artists who donated their works which were presented to the winners.

A silent auction raised almost $4,000 that will go to the SOWINS community operations and programs.

The following are the names of the winners with the artist’s names whose work they received in brackets:

• Arts — Ingrid Schellenberg (Derrie Selles donates art work as award)
• Community Contribution — Tracy Westmoreland (Theresa Slater)
• Volunteerism — June Revell-Quevillon (Jerrlee Hack)
• Finance — Margita Heggie (Tony Veltri)
• Customer Service — Andrea Hill (Diane Estabrook)
• Lifelong Learning — Sue Gunning (Paula Cowen)
• Health and Wellness — Maria Carr from OK In Health (Michael Ward donates art work as award)
• Trades — Dolly Kruger (Kena Cumming Cormier)
• Young Leader — Julie Clarke and Kyla Gourdeau (Matia Theodasakis)
• Lifetime Achievement — Rev. Virginia Briant (Lynne Marand)

Photo courtesy Chelsea_Rose Photography

Winners at the recent South Okanagan Women in Need Society Women Front and Centre Awards night included: (left to right) Sue Gunning, Kyla Goudreau, Dolly Kruger, Julie Clarke, Margita Heggie, Rev. Virginia Briant, Andrea Hill, Maria Carr and Tracy Westmoreland. Missing from the photo are June Revell-Quevillon and Ingrid Schellenberg.