Celebrating Women of Distinction

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This article was published 02/03/2012 (5052 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Six women were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments, volunteerism and leadership last night at the 25th annual YWCA Women of Distinction awards.

Brandonites Mariah Phillips, Louise Lamont, Mabel Ramsay and Lili Jardine were all winners of the prestigious award, as well as Amy Shaw of Swan River. Deandra Tousignant of Brandon was named the 2012 Young Woman of Distinction.

“I’m very overwhelmed,” Lamont said as she accepted her award at the gala held at the Keystone Centre. “This is a great honour to have been given … My belief is that all women have done distinctive things in their life, and it is not about the things you accomplish, but the journey you took to get there.”

Lamont has been a guidance counsellor with the Brandon School Division for the past 13 years. She is also an active volunteer, involved with organizations like the United Way, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Brandon Teachers’ Association, YWCA Brandon and the Brandon Schools Counselling Group.

The annual awards are presented to women in the Westman and Parkland areas who are nominated by their families, friends or colleagues for being role models in their community. This is the ninth year the Young Woman of Distinction award was given to a woman between the ages of 16 and 24.

“I would just like to say that although we’re all here this evening honouring all the women in this room, many of whom I actually have looked up to as mentors in my life,” Tousignant said. “We need to remember that women in our lives need to be honoured every day, and we need to let people in our lives … know that they’re loved and they’re appreciated in everything that they do.”

Tousignant is currently the president of the Brandon University Students’ Union, deputy chair of the Canadian Federation of Students Manitoba, and the National Women’s representative. She is an advocate for students, youth and women. She helped raise awareness about date rape and violence against women in the “No Means No” campaign.

“So many women do so much for their communities without even thinking about any recognition,” said Nickole Wlasichuk of YWCA Brandon. “It’s nice to have their fellow community members see what they’ve done, and to put forth their nomination and say, ‘Hey, you have done something for our community and we’re proud of that.’”

Phillips is known for her passion for women’s struggles, which is evident in both her work and music. Phillips and Greg Gibson make up the musical group Misty Street. She is employed by Manitoba Justice and is a graduate of the police studies program at Assiniboine Community College.

Ramsay was recognized for volunteering with the Heart and Stroke Foundation for more than 30 years. She also got involved with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, by crafting hand-painted angel pins and magnets with pink ribbons known as Angels of Hope.

Jardine is a teacher at Vincent Massey High School, as well as co-ordinator for the Brandon Community Drug and Alcohol Education Coalition. In 2010, she created a youth group called Youth Revolution to promote healthy life choices and minimize the use of drugs and alcohol by youth.

Shaw started her teaching career in 1943, and became the first female principal of Taylor School in Swan River. She retired in 1987. Shaw served on many boards such as the Women’s Crisis Centre and the Mental Health Reform Board. Currently, Shaw is trying to open another shelter to combat homelessness in Swan Valley.

» jaustin@brandonsun.com