YWCA recognizes women of distinction

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on March 10, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Women of distinction award for Truth and Reconciliation winner Treena Tallow stands with nominator Belinda Crowson.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The 47th Annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards on Wednesday recognized six women for their contributions to the community in different ways and this year a couple of changes were announced.

The YWCA Women of Distinction awards recognize those women who through their own initiative, ability, and effort, have made exemplary achievements in their respective fields. These are women who are outstanding role models because of their goals and the way they have achieved these goals.

Whether recognized as trailblazers in their fields or young women on the rise, all are pathfinders, bringing forth the key issues facing Canadian women.

The YWCA Lethbridge and District, not only recognized exemplary women in the community, but also celebrated all those in attendance as part of Women’s International Day.

This year’s winners included Mary Ann Crow Healy – Arts, Culture & Heritage; Michelle Day – Community Leadership & Enhancement; Sandra Asuchak – Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Bridget Mearns – Leadership and Management;

Treena Tallow – Truth and Reconciliation; Brenna Scott – Young Woman of Promise; and Lottie Austin – Lifetime Achievement (Posthumous).

During the ceremony two important changes were announced: one was the creation of a new category for Truth and Reconciliation, which recognized women who have made substantial contributions to the process.

The winner of the first Truth and Reconciliation award was Treena Tallow. She was nominated by Belinda Crowson, who said Tallow believes wholeheartedly about truth and reconciliation and is always thinking about and working on behalf of the entire community. She said Tallow has a strong and passionate vision of what we all can do to help our community become the community we all want it to be.

Tallow said in an interview with The Herald after receiving her award that she was honoured to be nominated among so many wonderful women.

Tallow said she truly believes that reconciliation can happen in our city thanks to the enormous potential and giving from the community.

“We just have to do it right, and I think reconciliation is a way to bring us together, to help align our goals, and to help our young children,” said Tallow.

The other change that was announced during the ceremony was in regards to the lifetime achievement award, which is now called the Lottie M. Austin award.

This award was presented by YWCA Lethbridge and District CEO Jill Young who said the lifetime achievement award was given to women who have made significant contributions to their community, women who have served as role models and made a lasting impact thanks to their tireless efforts as advocates, volunteers and by being a true inspiration for all.

 “I am humbled to announce Lottie M. Austin as the recipient of the lifetime achievement award. She was an exceptional woman and a long long-time supporter of the YWCA, and we’re honoured to celebrate outstanding achievements,” said Young.

Austin was nominated by a long-time friend who highlighted one of her accomplishments – the pedestrian crossing light on the off ramp from Whoop-Up Drive to University Drive.

After receiving the lifetime achievement award for his late wife, George Evelyn said he was surprised with the announcement.

“First of all, it’s a recognition of Lottie’s unswerving dedication to this community and for that I’m very happy,” said Evelyn.

He said he was very thankful with the YWCA for honouring her memory with the naming of the lifetime achievement award.

Another winner was Bridget Mearns, who was nominated by her long-time friend Lisa Lambert. Lambert highlighted the fact that it was thanks to Mearns the term “alderman” here was changed to “councillor.”

“I am deeply touched to be recognized as a woman of distinction. This has been an incredible evening with women who are strong and gracious and making our place such wonderful place to be,” said Mearns.

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