Women of Note Fall 09

The third annual Celebrating Women Gala reception was held July 16 by the Provincial Council of Women. The event recognizes women and groups who make a difference in quality of life for women, their families and the community.

Honoured women were Diana Bussey from the Salvation Army, Sharon Taylor from Wolesley Family Place, Val Noseworthy from the Ukrainian Women’s Association in Canada (Manitoba Executive) and Beatrice Watson of the Immigrant Women’s Association of Manitoba.

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Corrine Scott, superintendent of Uniform Operations for the Winnipeg Police Service, was inducted into the Order of Manitoba on July 15 for her work enhancing the profile of women in policing. Also receiving the Order of Manitoba was well-known Winnipeg television personality Sylvia Kuzyk.

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The Canadian Teachers’ Federation named a Winnipeg teacher, Myra Laramee, this year’s Outstanding Aboriginal Education. Laramee is principal of Niji Mahkwa School in Winnipeg. The nursery to Grade 8 school teaches languages, culture and traditions of local First Nations children.

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Dr. Marija Nikolic-Jaric, a post-doctoral fellow at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba, has been awarded the 2009 Hildred Blewett Scholarship for Women in Physics by The American Physical Society. The scholarship aims to enable women to continue their research careers after facing family hardships. Dr. Nikoli-Jaric is currently researching the detection and classification of biological cells by studying the rotation of particles in an electric field.

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On June 18, Winnipeg Women Magazine was pleased to honour the five winners and dozens of nominees for our Winnipeg’s Most Beautiful Women contest at a fabulous gala event at the Delta Winnipeg. The contest honours women who represent the true meaning of the word beauty.  Each year, the contest brings in many heartfelt nominations—we’d like to share a couple with you that our judges felt deserved special mention.

Joan Taylor was nominated by her two daughters, Mandi and Wendi. Joan is a devoted mother of four, grandmother of seven, and wife of 49 years. She set the tone for her family by instilling old fashioned values in them, demonstrating kindness and tolerance, leading by example, enriching others lives through exposure to the arts, culture and travel and always showing her endless devotion to her family. Joan is a former teacher, breast-cancer survivor and 40-year Girl Guides and Trefoil Guild volunteer who is genuinely liked and respected by everyone who comes in contact with her. Joan recently accompanied her daughter and son-in-law to Kazakhstan for an extended stay to provide support during their international adoption.

Joyce Verner was nominated by her daughter, Jan. Of her mother, Jan says, “She has a wonderful zest for life, an optimistic attitude, and a great sense of fun. In July, she will be celebrating her 89th birthday—although people assume her to be 20 years younger…She is always busy—with aquacize classes, art classes, and bridge twice a week. She has been teaching a seniors art class for almost 30 years. She is a caring and supportive friend. A retired nurse, she is often consulted by friends on medical issues, or to help with things like changing bandages. She has helped many friends as their health deteriorated—preparing their favourite foods; or if they are having a good day, loading them into her car, wheelchair and oxygen in the back, to take them for a drive, or some shopping. She is a member of the Red Hat Society, and has a lot of fun helping to organize their many activities. She is an amazing woman—an example of active living!”

Do you know a Winnipeg woman who defines the word beauty? Our 5th annual Winnipeg's Most Beautiful Women contest will take place this March. Watch our website and holiday issue for how you can enter.