YWCA board president receives surprise honour

YWCA Westman’s board president thought the only reason she was going to Quebec City, Que., last weekend was to attend a national members meeting with vice-president Jessica Saler and executive director Lois Ruston.

But much to her surprise, Candice Waddell-Henowitch heard her name called during a reception as awards were being handed out.

“They said my name and I turned to Jessica and said, ‘What?’ And then I looked at Lois, (asking) ‘What did you do?’ I had no clue; it was very shocking. And then, of course, my speech was horrific because I was still in shock,” Waddell-Henowitch said as she laughed.

“But it was really lovely for Jessica and Lois to (nominate me). I’m honoured. It’s always nice to be acknowledged by those who you really respect. The YWCA is a movement that I respect, and Lois and Jessica are two powerhouse women who mean the world to me. So it was really special,” she said.

Waddell-Henowitch was one of 11 people who received awards at the annual members meeting last weekend in Quebec, attended by staff and volunteers from 29 YWCAs across the country.

She received the Amelia Blizzard Award for her leadership at the national and local levels and her personal commitment to YWCA Canada’s mission and vision, which includes empowering women and girls in a safe and equitable society.

The award is named after Agnes Amelia Blizzard, who was 25 years old when she became president of the first YWCA Association in Canada, in Saint John, N.B., in 1870.

The YWCA in Brandon provides shelter and safety for women 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.

“YWCA focuses on equality, child care and eradicating gender-based violence and advocacy to do what’s needed to make our society more equal for women and gender-diverse individuals,” Waddell-Henowitch said.

“It’s a huge movement and is one of the longest-standing feminist movements in the world.”

As a feminist, Waddell-Henowitch said leading young women and providing leadership opportunities for young women are essential in society.

She is associate professor in the Department of Psychiatric Nursing at Brandon University, with a PhD in community health science.

As outgoing president of YWCA Westman, Waddell-Henowitch served three one-year terms, and is starting the second of a four-year commitment as a member of the national board.

“The YWCA is a family. It’s such a supportive group of women who are trying to build each other up. And just the fact that they nominated me is another one of those instances of them doing just that,” she said.

“Another brilliant part of the movement is being able to watch Jessica grow into the role of president and being along for the ride over the past three years that she’s been vice-president. She’s a young woman and a strong leader.”

Saler said Waddell-Henowitch always goes “above and beyond,” including connecting with and checking in on staff and volunteers. Her research about sexual violence and gender-based violence is presented in clear and precise ways, she said.

“Candice put us on the map,” said Saler. “She’s contributing at such a large level in post-secondary research, and to get recognized with this award really demonstrates that even our rural communities have some big change makers.

“You don’t have to live in Toronto, Ottawa or any of those big cities to make a difference. She’s a perfect example of that.”

Saler jokingly warned the Sun that Waddell-Henowitch would be “incredibly humble and downplay her contributions, because she’s always trying to be in the background.”

“But if it wasn’t for Candice, I wouldn’t have been prepared to take on the president’s role, and I think it would have been a very different organization if Candace hadn’t been there the last three years to lead us,” Saler said.

“I’m incredibly grateful that I had her to mentor me.”

Saler was right about how Waddell-Henowitch would be quick to shine the spotlight on the team at YWCA Westman.

“Every decision we make, everything we do, is very much a joint effort,” said Waddell-Henowitch. “We have a fabulous team and a board that is a dynamo within itself.

“It’s still very special, but it feels like it (the award) should be for the entire team and not just me.

“I like to think that whenever one of us gets recognized, all of us get recognized.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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