The 2014 Myrtle Evertt Women of the Year awards will be presented on May 14 by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Mission.
The awards celebrate the contributions made by women working and volunteering in their communities. This year's awards recognize those in the non-profit/community service and sports/athletics fields.
The Women of the Year Award was created in 1994 and named in honour of its first recipient, Myrtle Evertt, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 87. Award ceremonies are held in Mission and Abbotsford on alternative years.
This is the club's only fundraiser for the year to provide bursaries to help local women continue post-secondary education and training.
Mission nominees for non-profit/community service:
• Pam Alexis
Alexis has a long history of involvement in Mission. Her passions are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for all. Her contributions include serving as Rotary Club president, school board trustee, United Way community developer and fundraiser, president of Mission's Cultural Resources Commission, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce's board of directors and tourism committee. Most recently, she was vice president for the Mission BC Winter Games committee.
• Sylvia Hopkins
In her work at Mission Community Services, Hopkins facilitates services to families in Mission, and is a caring advocate for all children in the community. She has developed ties with other key organizations and is able to bring together families with the resources they need. Hopkins has volunteered for many years with Literacy in Motion, Riot of Reading, National Family Week, and Mission Arts Council Children’s Festival. In everything she does, Hopkins works towards building healthy and secure relationships in the community.
• Clare Seeley
Seeley works at Mission Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Information and is well known for accompanying the town mascot “Stan the Sturgeon” (which she researched and developed) on his visits to community events and notable places in the town. Seeley has helped raise awareness of community groups and highlights opportunities for community involvement. She is also an enthusiastic volunteer and has taken part in fundraising for local schools and this year she supported the BC Winter Games.
Sport/athletic nominees:
• Eden Donatelli Green
Green is a national, international and Olympic award-winning speed skater who has enthusiastically encouraged children to follow their sporting dreams. She believes hard work and developing team strengths are important not only in sport but in life. Green was director of registration and results at the 2014 BC Winter Games where she served as an inspiration to the participants.
• Amanda Philip
Philip creates after-school activities for children in Mission. Her focus is on encouraging children to develop life skills and healthy living habits together with encouraging them to be respectful, responsible and caring members of the community. For many years Philip has enthusiastically coached a girls’ softball team where she is a positive role model, working to strengthen bonds between team members and bring out their best talents.
This year's award ceremonies will be held at Mission's Best Western Hotel on May 14. Early bird tickets to the event are now on sale for $50 each (includes dinner) at www.bpwmission.ca. Tickets purchased after April 21 will be $60 each.