The Women of Distinction Awards Gala took place on Thursday night honouring remarkable Saskatoon women. The Women of Distinction Awards support the YWCA which CEO Cara Bahr says has now reached the $17.7 million mark in its $19 million Hope Lives Here fundraising campaign to raise money for the expansion and renovation of the YWCA. Bahr says they have to turn away 4,000 women and children a year which is about 10 a day.
The Young Trailblazer Award went to Tasnim Jaisee who has a disability and is a visible minority and she told those attending that she wants people to see her differences so more can be done for everyone to be equal. Jaisee used the example of the heavy snowfall in March when Saskatoon was paralyzed and pointed out the significant impact that has on a person with disabilities who, in addition to mobility issues, also depends on caregivers who can’t get to them.
Katharine Carter received Business and Entrepreneurship honours. She started Carter’s Counselling Services in 2020 and has expanded from just herself to 13 individuals offering expertise. Carter says one of her proudest accomplishments is as co-founder of Martensville Youth Connection, the community’s first youth centre.
Betty Mutwiri received the Community Building Award and saw her mother as a role model giving and sacrificing so much because of what she got back. Having grown up in Kenya she says Saskatoon is home to her and that women really do have power. Mutwiri said, “Never dim your light.”
Laura Lawrence founded the “StrongHER Together” women’s empowerment movement and is the founder and director of the non-profit Youth Matter Canada. Lawrence was chosen for the Health and Wellness Award.
Leadership in Athletics went to Bobbi Janzen who is visually impaired and believes all women and girls should have the chance to participate in sports and activities. She has participated in sports like hockey and powerlifting helping coaches and instructors learn how to create inclusive environments.
The STEM award went to Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley, a professional mechanical engineer with nearly 20 years’ experience and her PhD project focuses on creating better workplaces by engaging everyone.
Shylah Nokusis was honoured with the Women in Trades Award. From Peepeekisis Cree Nation she is a mother, Red Seal Carpenter, 2nd year Scaffolder and 2nd year ironworker. In 2021 she created Osihcikewin which in Cree means “to build”. The company is Indigenous owned and operated that offers trades introductory programs for women, men and young people in Indigenous communities.
Dr. C Lesley Biggs was recognized for the Lifetime Achievement Award and helped establish Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Saskatchewan in 1988. She is described as an interdisciplinary researcher in the history and sociology of healthcare, alternative medicine, professionalization and feminist studies and has created more than 32 graduate and undergraduate courses. Dr. Biggs is characterized as a feminist change-maker, a gifted teacher, a skilled and generous administrator and a community leader whose work has had an impact on a regional, national and international scale.
Yvette Arcand from the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation says receiving the Education Award means so much because it comes from the community. Arcand says she knew when she came to Saskatoon with her children that education was her way out of poverty but when she first arrived on campus, she says it was not welcoming. But she has just celebrated 25 years at the University of Saskatchewan and is now the Director of the ITEP program, or Indian Teacher Education Program.
