Several women will be recognized with awards from Soroptimist International of Central Alberta at its International Women’s Day garden party.
As a women’s organization, Soroptimist International promotes the concerns, challenges and achievements of women.
Ashley Jackson will receive the Ruby Award: Women helping Women, an award that honours those who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and volunteer work.
Jackson’s company, Ashley Jackson Boudoir, is a Red Deer portrait studio that focuses on female empowerment.
Live your Dream Awards will be presented to three women — Adra McKenzie of Lacombe; Cheralee von Gunten of Red Deer; and Lindsey Steeves of Eckville.
McKenzie, a single mom of two boys, is enrolled at Burman University to earn her bachelors of biomedical sciences to become a pharmacist.
Von Gunten, a single mom of four, is enrolled at Athabasca University, taking a bachelor of arts in English and a bachelor of arts in women’s and gender studies.
She wants to pursue a career in writing, or a field that contributes to addressing women’s issues.
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Steeves, a single mom of two, is enrolled at Grant MacEwan University, where she is completing a correctional services diploma to pursue a career with Correctional Service Canada to support her children.
Santera Ogles, of Blackfalds, will receive the Violet Richardson Award for her volunteer efforts.
The Grade 10 student at Lacombe Composite High School has volunteered at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, Ecole James S. McCormick School, and has been involved in fundraising projects for Safe Harbour Society.
The International Women’s Day garden party will run from 2 to 5 p.m. at Penhold Memorial Hall on March 8.
Tickets are $25 each and are available on Eventbrite. The event’s guest speaker is Sylvan Lake town Coun. Teresa Rilling.