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Women of Excellence Awards will be celebrated virtually this year

The Women of Excellence Awards Gala is going virtual this year.
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The Women of Excellence Awards Gala is going virtual this year.

The Red Deer & District Community Foundation has received 48 nominations from central Alberta for the 2020 Women of Excellence Awards.

The women come from a variety of sectors and age groups, but are similar in their exceptional contribution to society, says the foundation.

“This year is going to look a little different than any of our previous celebrations,” said executive director Erin Peden.

“Obviously, because of the care and detail we, as a society, are required to take to ensure the health and safety of our communities during COVID-19, we had to think outside the box.”

“So on June 13, we are asking everyone to join us for the Virtually All Dressed Up Awards Gala.”

The gala, which will be hosted online through Zoom, will include an interactive program complete with inspiring conversation about perseverance during a difficult time, personal introductions to the outstanding women nominated in 12 categories, and updates on how the foundation is actively working to support charitable agencies during the pandemic.

“We decided this was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the women who work day in and day out to support our communities, while raising money to support the charities that continue to feel the weight of our current global crisis,” said Peden.

“The proceeds of each ticket for the online event will go towards the COVID-19 Community Response Fund that is geared to assist registered charities with short-term, urgent funding.”

Guests are invited to get dressed up, just as they would any other year, for the Women of Excellence Awards.

Tickets will be on sale for $25 each online at www.RDDCF.ca beginning next week.

The 2020 Women of Excellence Awards nominees

Agriculture: Michelle Brown, Lacombe

Arts, Culture and Heritage: Myrtle Beaulieu, Red Deer; Angela Hall, Bentley; Ashley Jackson, Red Deer; Carol Johnston, Olds; Laurie Maetche, Lacombe and Marlene Palamarek, Lacombe

Athletics, Recreation and Fitness: Kathy Lalor, Red Deer and Lynn Stephenson, Red Deer County

Business and the Professions: Mary Kemmis, Red Deer

Community Building: Tracy Burghardt, Red Deer; Joy Cavin, Olds; Erika Fetterly, Innisfail; Andrea Hawiuk, Olds; Dianne Macaulay, Red Deer; Krista Spelt, Red Deer County; Lisa Spencer-Cook, Red Deer; Lisa Tough, Red Deer

Women of Excellence in Construction: Natalie Paetz, Red Deer and Lou-Anne Winship, Red Deer

Education and Training: Kim Kirkwood, Red Deer; Meagan McAleese, Red Deer; Valerie Norman-Organ, Olds; Jacqui Renwick, Sylvan Lake

Entrepreneurship: Veronica Irvine, Red Deer; Shelbie Owen, Blackfalds; Jenna Stubbe, Red Deer

Environment: Shannon Lirondelle, Red Deer; Lauren Maris, Red Deer

Health and Wellness: Yvonne Bauer, Red Deer; Jennifer Bindon, Red Deer County; Jody Carrington, Olds; Stephanie Connolly, Red Deer; Jenn Hamborg, Lacombe; Karrie Page, Red Deer; Katelyn Paquin, Sylvan Lake; Manon Therriault, Blackfalds; Tessa VanOene, Red Deer; Joanne Ward, Blackfalds

Human Services: Patricia Arango, Red Deer; Donna Bishop, Red Deer; Raelynn Notley, Olds; Melissa Poulin, Red Deer; Grace Rowe, Red Deer; Cindy Sparrow, Blackfalds

Young Woman of Excellence: Ireland Black, Red Deer; Brittany Lausen, Airdrie (student at Red Deer College); Rayna Pennycook, Red Deer

A lifetime achievement award will be presented to an exemplary woman, who for many years of her life, has been a role model for the community.

Photographs and brief bios of each nominee can be found on the foundation’s website.