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Winners of the 26th annual YWCA Brandon Women Of Distinction awards (from left) Pam May, Jan Chaboyer, Phyllis Racette, Michelle Magnusson, Kristen Phillips and Tyla Betke pose for a photo during the ceremony at the Keystone Centre on Thursday evening.
A woman’s work is never done.
The old saying rings especially true for winners of the YWCA Women of Distinction awards who are extremely humble about the work they do.
"I feel like I haven’t done enough," said Kristen Phillips, one of five women who won an award for outstanding work in the community at the Keystone Centre last night.
Last night marked the 26th year for the awards, which laud women from across the region for outstanding career accomplishments, academic accomplishments, volunteer work and general community support.
Phillips was recognized for her work as a board member for the Manitoba Ag Days, her volunteered time at Prairie Oasis Senior Centre, where she has been volunteering since she was 12, her accomplishments as a Manitoba curling champion and her career as a agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada.
"I was raised in a big family and we always helped each other out, and those morals and ethics I was raised with taught me to help other people," she said.
Where does she find the time?
"You make time," she said. "It’s just what you do, you get it done and find time."
"The things you don’t think are that big of a deal make a big difference to other people."
She hopes the awards will draw in a younger crowd to pass the torch of volunteerism.
"I hope it inspires other women to get involved and inspires young people to get involved," she said.
"I think more young people need to get involved and have a want to be part of their communities. If we don’t get young people involved, community spirit is going to die."
But it’s not dying anytime soon.
Grade 12 student Tyla Betke won the young woman of distinction category, which recognizes the work of women under 25.
The Russell teen has been involved in her school’s student council, tutoring fellow students on her spare time and is a student representative for the Prairie Mountain RCMP safer communities committee. And that’s just scratching the surface.
"I was shocked," she said. "I’m humbled to be recognized at all and this is a really good experience to meet all these women."
For Karen Peto, executive director of the YWCA, last night’s event was her 18th as part of organization, and she said despite the huge inroads women have made in the workplace, there’s still a ways to go.
"There are a lot of career areas where it’s still unusual for a woman is excelling and, (myself) in particular, like to see that kind of achievement as well because these women are paving the way for woman behind them."
These are women who are "driving forces" in what happens in communities, Peto said.
"There’s often one woman that everyone goes to in the community to make sure things happen and it’s not as visible in a city like Brandon, but the same thing happens but in smaller groups."
Anyone was able to nominate a woman and a selection committee made up of five to seven people from various walks of life (including a man) made the final selection.
"Most of these women who are nominated don’t think they’re doing anything special and they’re always quite amazed that someone nominated them," Peto said.
"For the most part, they are a very humble bunch, and I think it’s very significant for them to realize people think a lot of them and appreciate what they’ve done."
Jan Chaboyer took home the distinction award for her commitment to social justice, her fundraising efforts at Brandon University, her work with the Brandon Environmental Council and her 12 years as board member for the Brandon Folk, Music and Arts Festival.
BU Disability Services co-ordinator Michelle Magnusson was recognized for her work and her efforts in the local sports world and various not-for-profit groups.
Physical education teacher Pam May was honoured for her pioneering in the world of hockey and for her commitment to encouraging others in the community to be active and participate in sports.
Ebb and Flow First Nation member Phyllis Racette was recognized for her role as a Brighter Futures co-ordinator. As the daughter of a language keeper, Racette promotes the culture and traditions in her community.
» gbruce@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition March 15, 2013
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A woman’s work is never done.
The old saying rings especially true for winners of the YWCA Women of Distinction awards who are extremely humble about the work they do.
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A woman’s work is never done.
The old saying rings especially true for winners of the YWCA Women of Distinction awards who are extremely humble about the work they do.
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