Twenty local women who are driving positive change received their due Thursday night (May 30), each feted at the inaugural Women of Impact Awards ceremony and celebration.
Hosted by the United Way of Peterborough & District in conjunction with Women United Peterborough and held at Farmhill Weddings east of Peterborough, the sold-out event saw award recipients hailed for their roles in building strong, healthy, and safe communities within their respective spheres of influence.
A total of 37 women were nominated, from which the following were chosen by a Women United committee which reviewed each nomination:
- Cassandra Babcock
- Dr. Debbie Boyce
- Cheyenne Buck
- Patti Clancy
- Wendy Couper
- Susan Dunkley
- Hillary Flood
- Jennifer Garland
- Dr. Jennifer Ingram
- Carlotta James
- Kristal Jones
- Ann MacLeod
- Laura Montague
- Rosemary Powers
- Denise Sayles-Morton
- Peggy Shaughnessy
- Lisa Trefzger
- Lois Tuffin
- Carmela Valles
- Jill Wickins
To say each award recipient was thrilled would be an understatement.
“It’s an incredibly humbling honour,” beamed Kristal Jones, a recent graduate of Fleming College’s social service worker graduate whose vision and advocacy has furthered the work of the One Roof Community Centre (now the Trinity Community Centre) and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough.
“My imposter syndrome is in overdrive listening to all these incredible accomplishments. I can’t believe I’m counted among this group of people. To receive the award from (former Peterborough-Kawartha MP) Maryam Monsef was just a beautiful full circle moment for me. I’ll cry if I talk about it too much.”
“I feel very fortunate that I’ve been given a small platform and a voice. In the population that I support, there are a lot of people who aren’t able to use their voice, or their voice is taken seriously, or they’re no longer with us to be able to use their voice. When somebody asks what I have to say, I want to make sure that I’m echoing the voices of the women that put me here and the women that can’t be here.”
Equally overwhelmed was Susan Dunkley, the founder and owner of Suzi Home Maker, a Peterborough-based senior move management company whose journey has inspired countless others to pursue their passions regardless of their stage in life.
“There are so many women in our community who have made such a difference, so to be one of the inaugural (award recipients) is phenomenal. I’m deeply honoured. I look forward to seeing the women that come forward over the years in the future. It’s pretty amazing.”
“I love the diversity of the (awarded) women. I love the diversity of age. I love the diversity of what people have done. I love the different things that we have stood for and represented. As an eclectic group, we are a whole. It’s not all just business people. It’s not just all volunteers. It’s not all people in the arts. It’s everybody and I love that.”
Dunkley was especially thrilled with the number of men in attendance to show their support.
“I feel there’s a really important role (for men) as an ally who recognize the power that women bring,” she said. “I hate that we have to recognize women and men separately, but I do love that we’re at a point where can be saying ‘These women have made a difference.’ I truly believe that if women were running the world, there wouldn’t be war.”
While she doesn’t view herself as a role model for younger women, Dunkley does admit to feeling like “the wise woman of the clan. That’s really cool.”
Meanwhile, Patti Clancy, the owner of Kawartha Home Care Services who has long championed women fleeing domestic violence and adversity, referenced those women who go about their work quietly with no expectation of recognition for their advocacy.
“I was raised to believe that when you do an act of kindness, you do it without anybody seeing you,” she said, adding “I think I got found out today.”
“I’m a feminist. I’ve been a longtime member of the YWCA, more than 30 years now. That’s a great support for any woman who believes in equality, and that women are as intelligent and strong as men, and sometimes even more spiritual.”
Among those formally addressing the gathering was Monsef, the inaugural chair of Women United, a network of women philanthropists and allies who each donate $1,200 or more each year to the United Way of Peterborough & District.
Formed in 2022, Women United’s goals are as follows:
- Reduce and remove economic and social barriers so the next generation of girls and women can lead to their full potential.
- Learn more about the challenges facing women and gender diverse people in their community and the resources available to those in need.
- Improve the lives of those in vulnerable situations through gifts of time, talent and treasure.
“There are so many women in our community, at the United Way, all around us, making big things happen, without the expectation of celebration,” said Monsef during a break in the presentation. “They work quietly behind the scenes, holding it all together. Tonight is one small opportunity for the rest of us to honour them and remind them that we see them.”
“They are role models for all of us. To be in this room tonight is a wonderful opportunity for those who haven’t been recognized. You’re networking with some of the most effective movers and shakers in our community. A conversation with any one of them opens so many doors and channels for young professionals who are seeking to create their own path and achieve their dreams.”
Prior to the awards’ presentation, emceed by former local radio personality and current Team vanRahan Century 21 realtor Catherine Hanrahan, the audience heard from Kellie Walden, the director of administrative services with the Peterborough Family and Child Centre, and Brittany McMillan, executive director of the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre.
Both spoke to the work their respective agencies are doing daily to support women with help from both United Way core funding and the United Women fund.
Adding to the event’s festive atmosphere was live music performed by electric violinist Victoria Yeh and, during the break, the Peterborough Pop Ensemble.
Presented by TD with kawarthNOW serving as media sponsor, additional support was provided by Fox Law, Electric City Real Estate, Trent University, the Trent University Faculty Association, 2032 Dentistry For Life, and Yeh.
More information about Women United can be found at www.uwpeterborough.ca/women-united or by calling United Way philanthropy director Anne Ondercin, 705-742-8839, ext. 30.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be the media sponsor of the inaugural Women of Impact Awards.
