Winning Women

Last night, on International Women’s Day, the Prince Albert Council of Women hosted its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.  As it is every year, the event was successful and celebrated the success and spirit of women in our community.  The successful inductee is nominated by the public and then selected by the Council’s executive.  After the induction ceremony, a portrait of the inductee is presented to the mayor and it is then placed on the Woman’s Hall of Fame wall on the second floor at City Hall.

In previous years, one woman has been honoured.  This year, the national theme for International Women’s Day is “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures”.  As such, the Council decided to honour a young woman in addition to the usual inductee.  The Council also made the decision to honour a posthumous nominee, having received a nomination for a recently deceased woman who had done so much for Prince Albert.  So it was that Christine Taylor was inducted as the Adult Mentor/Community Volunteer, Melissa Menzies as the Youth Role Model/Community and School Volunteer and Marge Nainaar, the Memorial Award.  The Council could not have chosen a more deserving or finer trio to honour.

Christine Taylor has long been involved in our community, especially with the Girl Guide Movement.  In fact, several of her girl guides were present to watch Christine being presented with this award.

I have known Melissa Menzies and her family for many years.  Melissa is a truly amazing young woman.  She is beautiful not only on the outside, but on the inside as well.  She is a kind and caring person who gives of herself at every opportunity.  She volunteers at the hospital, where she is a favorite among the seniors she visits.  She took part in the Miss Saskatchewan Teen pageant last summer and went on to compete in Toronto, representing Miss Teen Central Saskatchewan.  She volunteers at many events in our community.  Melissa is a wonderful role model and one that we can proud of to have represent our city. She was the perfect choice to be the face of this year’s theme. 

Anyone who has lived in Prince Albert will have known Marge Nainaar.  She came to Canada and fell in love with our country and later, with our city.  She was the driving force behind the Prince Albert Multicultural Council.  Many people in our city, especially newcomers to Canada, benefitted from her help, advice and friendship.  Not many events took place here where Marge wasn’t in some way involved.  I hope Marge was watching last Thursday and saw her family and friends acknowledge her work and dedication.  

Honouring local women each year on International Women’s Day is a good tradition started by the Council of Women.  Look around your work place, service club or other places where people volunteer.  Is there a woman you think deserves special recognition?  Does someone you know go above and beyond the call of duty?  Remember to nominate her,  Honouring special women in our community . . . it's a good thing!