BPW Sault Ste. Marie

News Release

Women of the Sault Ste. Marie community were honoured for their community work on Thursday March 10th at the Grand Gardens North with guest speaker Dr. Gayle Broad.

Monday  –  Marilyn Schmidt – Volunteers in leadership positions with Anglican Church; a Eucharistic Assistant taking communion to shut-ins. nursing homes and hospitals. Volunteers with Hospital Information Desk, Thunderbirds and Greyhounds, Christmas Cheer and Davey Home.  Chair of Bishophurst Restoration Fund.

Tuesday  –  Lucia Reece – First female Director of Education for Algoma District School Board.  She is currently Co-Chair of the Algoma Leadership Table and has been an avid supporter of the Community Christmas for Children and Healthy Kids initiative.  Committed to outreach with community partners to ensure coordination of services for children and families.

Wednesday – Kyla Faganely – International Pro Trainer for numerous wellness certification providers.  Owner of Fit Bodies, Fit Minds.  High school physical education teacher with the Algoma District School Board.  Dedicated to giving back to the community through many fundraisers; a dear and annual one “Kicks for Kids.”   Thursday  –  Marilyn Patterson – Holding positions within RTO, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.  President of CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons). Volunteers with Duplicate Bridge Association and Alzheimer’s Society.  She’s a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient.

Friday –  Shirley Horn – First Chancellor of Algoma University and former Chief of the Missanabie Cree First Nation.  Helped found the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association and is a Residential School Survivor.  Works the Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre in Timmins promoting Food Sovereignty for northern communities.

Woman of the Week – Gabi Doleske – Professor at Sault College.  Team Leader for Sault Ste. Marie Days for Girls, involving community in preparing feminine hygiene kits to developing nations in Nicaragua, Tibet, Kenya and travelled to Tanzania to teach about the kits.  They are almost at 1,000 kits!  She’s a silk artist and owns Oh Silk! and is a ten year cancer survivor.  Has sponsored a family in Cuba since 2007 and is taking kits to Cuba this summer.

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