YWCA opens nominations for Women of Distinction awards

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This article was published 05/02/2025 (275 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

YWCA Westman is now accepting nominations for this year’s Women of Distinction awards that recognize the contributions women make to their communities. The ceremony is scheduled for April 24 at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

A new category has been added for nominations and tickets are now on sale for the event, so all that is needed is the list of names that will be engraved on the glass trophies, says Lois Ruston, the YWCA’s executive director.

“Our categories are very diverse,” said Ruston, adding: “We have everything from agriculture to the arts to healthy living and wellness education. We’re also looking for teachers who support our young people, women in business of course, and entrepreneurs.

“Overall, it’s women who are leaders in our community. So, any time you see a woman who is standing out in the crowd, that’s a perfect opportunity to nominate that individual for a woman of distinction,” said Ruston, who received a Woman of Distinction award in 2014.

There are 11 categories this year, up from 10 in previous years. The community leadership and social action was in one category, which has now been split, creating community leadership as one category, and social action as another.

The other categories for nomination are agriculture; arts, culture and design; business leadership, entrepreneur; healthy living, recreation and wellness; education, mentorship; science, technology and trade; young trailblazers (17 and under); young woman of distinction (18-25); and lifetime achievement.

Nominations close on March 8, which is International Women’s Day.

The glass trophy that Katy Martin won in 2024 is “proudly on display” on a shelf in the living room of her Neepawa home. She was recognized for her contributions to the arts, culture and design.

Martin is an artist, full-time teacher at the Neepawa Area Collegiate Institute and a published author. In her book, “The Year After,” she shared the grief of losing a baby, followed by a collection of paintings that symbolized cracks mended by gold.

As Martin remembered, the moment her name was announced as a woman of distinction, she said it was humbling.

“It was also inspiring to be in the same room as all those like-minded women,” Martin said.

“I feel like it helped validate all of the work I was doing, which gave me the energy to go forward and keep creating and pursuing all the things I was working for. So, it’s helped a great amount.”

Since her win, Martin has been creating a project for Brandon University. She’s also hoping that some of her prints will be chosen for display at the Elkhorn Resort, Spa and Conference Centre, and has answered the call for artists to create bison sculptures outside a healing centre in Winnipeg.

“And this may sound arbitrary now,” Martin said, “but it really was an honour just to be nominated. That gave me the confidence just to keep going.”

Self-doubt is also something Martin struggled with, often manifesting itself through thoughts like “What I’m doing is not enough, or I’m not doing the right thing.”

Once YWCA Westman receives the nominations, staff will contact the nominees to gather further information about their stories and even struggles, Ruston said.

And while there has never been a shortage of names submitted; some women have been hesitant about letting their name stand.

“I think sometimes as women we think, oh I’m not worthy of that, or I shouldn’t be in that category, or there are people who are more deserving than me,” Ruston said.

“But I think one of the beautiful things about this event and about this program is that someone in your circle sees you as deserving, and chances are that many people within your circle or within the community also see you as deserving.”

“So, it’s really important for us to take a moment and lean into that, to recognize that each of us brings value in our own unique way,” said Ruston.

This is the 40th year for the Women of Distinction Awards for YWCA Westman, and the awards are a major fundraising event of the year for the non-profit.

The YWCA in Brandon provides shelter and safety for those who are experiencing domestic, family or intimate partner violence, and has operated in the city for more than a century.

It operates the Westman Women’s Shelter, where staff members work with survivors, helping them rebuild their lives through education and support services.

There are additional programs for boys and girls between 11 and 13 years old that promote positive body image and self-esteem and bring awareness about the harmful effects of bullying.

For more information about the 2025 Women of Distinction awards, including purchasing tickets, call 204-571-3680. To fill out a nomination form online, visit ywcawestman.ca.

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