The YWCA in Brandon hosted their 33rd annual women of distinction awards last night.

Heather Symbalisty is the Executive Director the YWCA in Brandon that serves all of Westman.

“We’re super excited about being to do something and hold an event, and especially during these tough times,” she says.  “It’s quite an honor to be able to recognize these women for everything they do each and every day and I think to them its just their daily life but to everyone else around them they obviously do super special things and we want to recognize that.”

“So, this is their opportunity to shine,” she adds.  “Just being nominated is an honor so yes, this is very exciting!”

This is the 33rd year for the YWCA to host the Women of Distinction Awards, celebrating the achievements of the women leaders in our communities across the entire Westman Region.

Symbalisty says all the women nominated in each of the categories are true ‘power-houses’ in their community.

“Yes, these are the ones who lead and they mentor others, and they really get into the nitty-gritty of everything to show what women can do, even when we’re not necessarily recognized like we should be, so it’s really good that we’re doing that now.”

 

The annual gala is the largest fundraiser for the YWCA for their programs, necessities for their women's shelter and more.  “YWCA Brandon covers the Westman area and we help individuals who are escaping gender-based violence and facing some really tough times in their lives,” she explains. “So, we’re able to help them with free services with funds that we raise at the Women of Distinction Awards.”

Through the pandemic and ever-changing regulations, the YWCA had help to organize the event.  All the same, the September postponement and location change resulted in a beautiful evening at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium at Brandon University.  With the formal setting of wine, dainties and awards the audience was a cheerful group, finally able to get dressed up and go to a special evening event.  Needless to say the event was very well-attended.

“We had Lean Bower to help put everything together so that it would go as seamlessly as possible,” shares Symbalisty.  “She’s been a definite asset for us to utilize during this time because there were many restriction changes and she was able to keep up with everything! So it was great!”

2021 Nominees (in alphabetical order):

  • Kelsey Anderson – Rivers, MB
  • Dr Bernadette Ardelli – Brandon, MB (Recipient of the Science, Technology & Trade Award)
  • Feliciaa Baldner – Winipeg, MB (Recipient of Young Trailblazer Award)
  • Laurie Campbell – Killarney, MB
  • Carolynn Cancade – Brandon, MB
  • Kathy Cleaver – Justice, MB
  • Maria Adela Solis Cordoba – Brandon, MB
  • Joyce Dietrich – Killarney, MB
  • Andrea Epp – Brandon, MB (Recipient of the Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship Award)
  • Ann Germani – Brandon, MB
  • Sheila Gonty – Brandon, MB
  • Antoinette Gravel-Oullette – Rivers, MB (Recipient of the Community Leadership & Social Action Award)
  • Deidre Gregory – Brandon, MB (Recipient of the Education & Mentorship Award)
  • Florence Halcrow – Brandon, MB (Recipient of the Community Leadership & Social Action Award)
  • Aida Harrison – Brandon, MB
  • Whitney Hodgins – Brandon, MB
  • Chantelle Hutchison – Brandon, MB
  • Leah Lazaruk – Winnipeg, MB
  • Debra Mason – Brandon, MB
  • Dr. Cathy Mattes – Shilo, MB (Recipient of the Arts, Culture & Design Award)
  • Lisa McMaster – Brandon, MB
  • Barbara McNish – Brandon, MB (Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award)
  • Christina Rose – Brandon, MB
  • Lisa Rowley – Brandon, MB
  • Shannon Saltarelli – Brandon, MB
  • Barbara Scott – Brandon, MB
  • Tracy Timmer – Rapid City, MB (Recipient of the Agriculture Award)
  • Katrina Wilson – Brandon, MB