(From left) Linie Friesen, Selma Loewen, Susan Giesbrecht and Sara Stoesz seen here together at an event in 2007 (Linie and Selma have since passed away). The four women were recognized by the Nellie McClung Foundation. File photo.

March 8th is International Women's Day. And we are surrounded by amazing women, who contribute to society in overwhelming ways, every day. Today, we wanted to highlight a group of women -- The founders of the very first MCC Thrift Shop in North America. They have been recognized by the Nellie McClung Foundation's Manitoba 150 Trailblazer awards.

Dean Penner of our Golden West News Team gave Susan Giesbrecht a call, to find out her reaction to this honour, and to look back at this incredible group of ladies who started it all for MCC Thrift stores.

Susan said that what started out as a quick way to make some cash for MCC's global relief programs ended up spreading to other communities, very quickly. And one goal that these women had, was to encourage church involvement across Southern Manitoba....

Thank you Susan! The Altona MCC Store officially opened on March 17th, 1972. And Selma, Sara, Linie and Susan's "mustard seed" of an idea sprouted quickly. Around the same time, Steinbach's Agatha Friesen opened the second Thrift shop in support of MCC with assistance from the presidents of different women's groups in the community. The Altona and Steinbach shops opened mere weeks apart from one another and both held grand openings in the early spring of 1972. In Winnipeg, similar plans were in motion under the leadership of Justina Baerg. Thanks to her energy and initiative, an MCC Thrift shop opened on July 17, 1972. Within that first year, there were three MCC Thrift shops operating in Manitoba. Selma, Sara, Linie, Susan, Justina and Agatha are only some of the trailblazers whose heart for vulnerable people inspired so many others. Behind each of them were committees, service groups, church congregations and dozens of volunteers who saw their passion and supported their mission..

It's our honour to celebrate the amazing work of these Women, on this International Women's Day.