Hamilton/Halton Women of Distinction nominees cover a wide range of excellence
Last year as the YWCA's Hamilton/Halton Women of Distinction nominees were announced, everyone hoped that when the next year's announcements rolled around, COVID would be over.
It's not over. Just different. So the awards, presented March 3, will be online again.
Other things haven't changed, either. Women are still overrepresented in those jobs that are most needed and also most exposed to risk during a pandemic. Health care, personal support work, nursing, cleaning, caregiving. Given that they're most needed and most vulnerable, shouldn't these workers be among the highest paid? Closer to the opposite.
While it's taking time (too much) to redress gender pay disparity, we can at least - as we wait - celebrate women with gratitude, honour and a fun night out. Or rather, in, but with takeout (food-wise) options.
We are honouring those trailblazers in Hamilton and Halton extended over eight categories," says Denise Christopherson, CEO, YWCA Hamilton, of the Women of Distinction Awards.
This year, over these broad categories, we recognize women who lift each other up in science and technology, entrepreneurship and around issues of activism, homelessness and encampments."
Guests can enjoy a meal prepared by their choice of several local restaurants (to be delivered or picked up), a gift box and access to raffles, draws and a virtual auction. Host Victoria Mancinelli; appearances by Terra Lightfoot and Layne The Auctionista.
The nominees are:
ART/CULTURE/DESIGN
Hamilton - writer Jaclyn Desforges; actor Karen Ancheta; music and children researcher Laurel Trainor; culture consultant Leah Faieta; cantor Paula Baruch; Art Gallery of Hamilton CEO Shelley Falconer.
Halton - fashion artist Anu Raina; recreation programmer Elaine Delsnyder; singer/songwriter Suzie McNeil.
EDUCATION/TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT
Hamilton - Mohawk security director Cathy O'Donnell; Voices Against Bullying founder Julie Schaafsma; mental health and crisis consultant Kelly Lazure-Valconi; library program director Lisa Radha Weaver; educator Mary Ann Starcevic; social worker Myrtle Greve; activist/peer support counsellor Renata Hall; scholar Rosa da Silva; psychiatry professor Susan Denburg.
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP/ENTREPRENEURSHIP/INNOVATION
Hamilton - Hamilton international airport CEO Cathie Puckering; hospitality professional Heather Kemp; Tim Hortons franchisee and philanthropist Kara Alicia Kennish; The Witch's Inn founder Karena Osborne; Women's Network founder Kristine Leadbetter-Gold; BIA director Tracy MacKinnon.
Halton - STRIDE director Anita Lloyd; Broadcast Services International director Mabel's Labels co-founder Julie Cole; realtor Maude Leger.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Hamilton - police officer Alexis Petrovic; organizer and McMaster social work student Anabelle Ragsag; CityKidz volunteer Bernie McCarter; Tree of Stars founder Jessica Compton; Project First To Respond founder Jo-Ann Savoie; Breakwater Investments exec Kathy McKeil; public safety professional Kelly Tobin; realtor Krysta Boyer; Disability Justice Network co-founder Sarah Jama; One Wish Kindness founder Vandana Verma; critical needs worker Vanessa Henry; Indigenous Studies professor Vanessa Watts; investment advisor Wendy Tompkins.
Halton - community relations manager Glenda Lloyd; Yellow Robot co-founder Kimberly Calderbank; domestic violence survivor/speaker/consultant Lorraine Rollo; director of maternity residence Nancy Romic; Haltech Regional Innovation director Shann McGrail.
HEALTH/RECREATION
Hamilton - Mac prof Dawn Bowdish; physician Dr. Kerry Beal; response coordinator Marcie McIlveen; social worker Sarah Adjekum; Fraternity Hispanic volunteer Veronica Sola.
RESEARCH/SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY/TRADES
Hamilton - program manager Carina Andreatta; IT author Debra Christmas; medicine professor Dr. Karen Mossman; skilled trades ambassador ShannonTymosko; engineering researcher Zobia Jawed.
Halton - applied researcher Jennifer Jahnke; refugee/homeless advocate Navita Dyal; financial executive Susan Kilburn.
YOUNG TRAILBLAZER
Hamilton - Mac ob/gyn resident Dr. Abi Kirubarajan; organ transplant ambassador Courtney Gibson; Mac student union associate VP Hargun Kaur; limited hand mobility innovator Lianna Genovese; peace prize winner Raagavi Ramenthiran; labour studies student Salsa Sarhan; materials engineering student Sarah Gonder; The Canadian Courage Project co-founder Shania Bhopa; community service worker Zainab Khodr.
Halton - singer/songwriter Hayley Verrall; foodbank fundraiser Lauren Cutaia.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Hamilton - Bernie McCarter; Cathie Puckering; Debra Christmas; Jo-Ann Savoie; Kelly Lazure-Valconi; Dr. Kerry Beal; Laurel Trainor; Myrtle Greve; Paula Baruch; Susan Denburg.
Halton - Anita Lloyd; Elaine Delsnyder; Glenda Lloyd; Lorraine Rollo; Nancy Romic.
For more and tickets: ywcahamilton.org/women-of-distinction-awards-2022
Jeff Mahoney is a Hamilton-based reporter and columnist covering culture and lifestyle stories, commentary and humour for The Spectator. Reach him via email: jmahoney@thespec.com