This program to recognize exceptional women in Winnipeg was inaugurated on 11 May 1977 by Donalda Beatrice “Donie” Lamont (1909-1996, wife of Lieutenant Governor Francis Laurence “Bud” Jobin) as the YWCA Women of the Year Awards. They were renamed in 1991.
Name begins: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Recipient
Year
Category
Chris Albi
2015
Public Awareness and Communications
Kaitlin Alexander
2010
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Elaine Ali
1997
?
Colleen Allan
2014
Voluntarism, Advocacy and Community Enhancement
Lillian Beatrice Allen (1904-1994)
1980
Arts
Linda Marilyn Ament
1989
Business
Sarah Amyot
2004
Young Woman of Distinction
Judith “Judy” Anderson
2004
Research, Science, Technology and Environment
Muriel Jean Arpin (1914-1982)
1977
Community Service
Gail Asper
2002
Community Voluntarism
B
Nadya Kostyshyn Bailey
1983
Arts
Norma Bailey
1988
Communications
Suzanne Banfield
1983
Business
Brenda Barrie
1990
Communications
Judith Bartlett
2013
Education, Training and Mentorship
Jennifer Barton
2000
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Kelley Beaverford
2008
Business and Professions
Sarah-Amarylla Bector
1999
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Mary Lile Benham (1914-1991)
1984
Arts
Bennetta-Lynn Benson
2004
Recreation, Sport and Active Living
Ruth Eleanor Berry
1988
Public Affairs
Marlene Carol Bertrand
1988
Community Service
Navdeep Bhullar
2005
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Sheila Billinghurst
2014
Education, Training and Mentorship
Sandra Birdsell
1985
?
Elaine Bishop
2009
Community Volunteerism
Heather Bishop
1997
?
Birna Bjarnadottir
2011
Culture
Jeraldine Bjornson
1991
?
Betty Black
2005
Business, Trades and Professions
Rebecca Bock-Freeman
2011
Circle of Inspiration
Akostia Bonsu
2014
Young Woman of Distinction
Suzanne Boreskie
1990
Fitness, Recreation and Sport
Lauren Bosc
2011
Circle of Inspiration
Marianne Bossen (1918-2008)
1977
Business
Karen Botting
2012
Education
Marie Bouchard
2010
Arts and Culture
Patricia “Pat” Bovey
2002
Arts and Culture
Barbara Bowes
1990
Professional
Ingeborg Boyens
2007
Creative Communications
Mona Brown
1993
?
Rachel Minkoff Browne (1934-2012)
1977
Culture and Education
Linda Bulka
?
Education and Training
Mary Elizabeth McNainy Burrows (1906-2008)
2006
Media and Public Relations
Karen Busby
2007
Business and Professions
Val Buschau
2002
Science, Technology and Environment
Dianna Bussey
2012
Circle of Inspiration
Rachel Ashley Byrka
2015
Young Woman of Distinction
C
Patti Caplette
2014
Arts
Anna-Celestrya Carr
2012
Public Awareness
Tina Chen
2012
Culture
Nancy Chippendale
2010
Creative Communications
Donna Chow
1992
?
Jo-Anne Clark-Gillespie
2009
Sport and Recreation
Pauline Clarke
2005
Education, Training and Development
Juliette Cooper
2013
Science, Technology and Environment
Leah Coston
1995
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Mary Courchene
1992
?
Sharon Crone
1979
Arts Communication
D
Wendy Dahlgren
1984
Sports and Leisure
Oluwatomilayo Daodu
2010
Young Woman of Distinction
Heather Dean
2003
Science and Technology
Lesley Degner
2007
Research and Innovation
Hygiea Dela Cruz
1996
?
Rayleen V. De Luca (1942-2022)
2008
Health and Wellness
Noelle De Pape
2009
Business and Professions
Gurkamal Dhillon
2011
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Vanaja Dhruvarajan
1994
?
Barbara Dickson
1995
?
Joanne DiCosimo
1997
?
Dorothy Dobbie
1988
Business
Janice Dodd
1994
?
Mary Elisabeth Brugger Dolin (1936-1985)
1983
Public Affairs
Erica Doty
2003
Young Woman of Distinction
Maureen Dowds
1988
Fitness, Recreation and Sports
Isabella Margaret Dryden (1917-2024)
2000
?
Jocelyn Adele Saul Dubienski (1922-2011)
1988
Professional
Coleen Dufresne
2005
Sports
Jennifer Dundas
1989
Communications
Joan Durrant
2011
Education
Diane Dwarka
1996
?
E
Mary Eady
1987
Management and Labour
Ertrice Eddy
1995
?
Sarah Ens
2010
Prairie Award of Promise
Jane Evans
2001
?
F
Elizabeth Hepworth “Betty” Feniak (1920-2013)
1982
Professional
Rose Flaig
2004
Community Voluntarism
Audrey Fogg
1979
Business
Olga Foltz (c1926-2000)
1984
Public Affairs
Nahanni Fontaine
2008
Community Voluntarism
Lisa Fraser-Gilmore
2002
Recreation, Sport and Active Living
Eira Alice “Babs” Friesen (1917-2008)
1989
Community Service
Joyce Fromson
1985
?
Sandi Funk
1993
?
Amanda Furst
2012
Young Woman of Distinction
G
Randi Gage
2013
Voluntarism, Advocacy and Community Enhancement
Leslie Galloway
2009
Health and Wellness
Lydia Giles
1987
Community Service
Helen Preston Glass (1917-2015)
1979
Education
Rosalie Goldstein
1990
Arts
Maria Gomori
2003
Health and Wellness
Margo Goodhand
2008
Creative Communications
Lila Goodspeed
1995
?
Brenda Gorlick
2015
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Karen Grant
2004
Education, Training and Development
Diane Gray
2013
Leadership and Management
Virginia Guiang
1997
?
Regyn Guinto
2015
Health, Wellness and Fitness
Chander Gupta
2015
Eira “Babs” Friesen Lifetime Achievement
H
Katie Haig-Anderson
2011
Circle of Inspiration
Geraldine Rose “Gerrie” Hammond (?-1992)
1990
Public Affairs
Evelyn Hart
1987
Arts
Susan Hart-Kulbaba
1990
Management and Labour
Virginia Hasselfield
1996
?
Lana Hastings
2011
Circle of Inspiration
Betty J. Havens (1936-2005)
1984
Professional
Peggi Hayes
1987
Fitness, Recreation and Sport
Maureen Heaman
2012
Science
Loa Henry (1938-2020)
2004
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Joan Hibbert
2014
Eira “Babs” Friesen Lifetime Achievement
Tina Hildebrandt
1998
?
Josie Hill
1999
?
Patricia Hill
1979
Professional
Gudrun Viola Bjarnason Hilton
2010
Community Voluntarism
Jocelyn Hirose
2002
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Shari Hogan
2001
Young Woman of Distinction
Phyllis Margaret Holtby (1906-1993)
1988
Arts
Rhianna Holter-Ferguson
2014
Prairie Award of Promise
Betty Hopkins
1990
Community Service
1993
?
Barbara Huck
1986
Professional
Lesley Hughes
1987
Communications
Jocelyne Hullen
1990
Business
Zorianna Hyworon
2002
Business, Trade and Professions
I
Carmen Infante
2009
Arts and Culture
Janet Ingersoll
2010
Business and Professions
Linda Isitt
1992
?
J
Evelyn Jacks
1986
Business
Pam Jackson
1992
?
Rosie Jacuzzi
2015
Business, Professions and Trades
Ashley Jahns
2011
Prairie Award of Promise
June James
1981
Professions
Rhonda James
2013
Culture
Ava Jerao
2011
Circle of Inspiration
Carol Johnson
1984
Business
Dr. Karen Johson
1983
Professional
Anne Jorowski
1996
?
Ellen Judd
2006
Research and Innovation
K
Melissa Kajpust
2013
Circle of Inspiration
Elissavet Kardami
2009
Research and Innovation
Cherry Karpyshin
2005
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Susan Keller
2001
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Fauna Kingdon
2006
Young Woman of Distinction
Kathryn Kinley
2003
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Sandra Kirby
2003
Recreation, Sport and Active Living
Agneta Kliewer
1985
?
Kathryn Knowles
2000
?
Razelle Kovnats
1983
Management
Ellen Kruger
1983
Community Service
Joan Kunderman
2007
Active Living
Sylvia Kuzyk
2004
Media and Public Relations
L
Yvonne Lafreniere
1996
?
Chris Lane
1985
?
Christine Langtry
2002
Young Woman of Distinction
Channing Lavallee
2011
Young Woman of Distinction
Ursula Lawson
2013
Circle of Inspiration
Kim Le
2009
Young Woman of Distinction
Dennice Leahey
1998
?
Linda Lee
2002
Communications and Public Relations
Naomi Levine
2003
Communications and Public Relations
Ruth Naomi Livingston
2014
Culture
Evelyn Loadman
1985
?
Peiki Loay
2007
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Kelby Loeppky
2012
Prairie Award of Promise
Sally Longstaffe
2001
?
Myrtle Moore Lorimer (1912-2005)
1984
Community Service
Janice Lukes
2012
Healthy Living
Thelma Lussier
1986
Management
M
Sheryl Ann Janine MacDonald (1939-2003)
1987
Business
Beverley MacInnis
1980
Business
Jennifer MacTavish
2006
Active Living and Sport
Kathy Mallett
1985
?
Patricia Martens
2010
Health and Wellness
Shirley Matile
1994
?
Patricia McCallum
1988
Management and Labour
Marileen McCormick
2006
Education and Training
Norma Kester McCormick
1981
Public Affairs
Diana Maud McIntosh (1937-2022)
1982
Arts
Hope McIntyre
2006
Arts and Culture
Joan McLaren
1991
?
Marvelle McPherson
1991
?
Lisa Meeches
2009, 2013
Creative Communications, Circle of Inspiration
Susanna June Menzies (1925-2020)
1977
Government and Public Affairs
Kim Midford
2007
Education and Training
Jordan Miller
2011
Arts
Sharice Molgat
2015
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Jeannette Montufar
2012
Leadership
Ishbel Moore
1995
?
Zahra Moussavi
2014
Science, Technology and Environment
1995
?
Mariette Mulaire
2011
Leadership
Deanna M. Muller
1989
Professional
Margaret Mullin
2007
Arts and Culture
Leigh Murphy
2005
Research, Science, Technology and Environment
Yvonne Myal
2011
Science
N
Eleanor Mae “Lee” Newton (1952-2014)
2005
Community Voluntarism
Liisa Nichol
1981
Business
Lindsay Nicolle
1999
?
Buchi Nnadi
2005
Young Woman of Distinction
O
Karmin O
2010
Research and Innovation
Deborah Olukoju
2011
Voluntarism
Judith Opitz-Silver
1991
?
Maureen Orchard
2013
Wellness, Health Living and Recreation
Leslie Oswald
2003
Business, Trades and Professions
Danielle Otto
2011
Circle of Inspiration
Doris Mae Oulton
2000
?
P
Jo-Ann Paley
2001
Hallmark of Distinction
Mary Pankiw
1998
?
Monique Pantel
2014
Circle of Inspiration
Joan Oddny Asgeirson Parr (?-2001)
1981
Arts
Rosanna Peeling
2000
?
Christine Penner
2008
Education and Training
Gloria Penner
1991
?
Katherine Pettipas
1994
?
Chau Pham
2012
Voluntarism
Merrell-Ann Phare
2001
?
Myrna Phillips
1987
Public Affairs
Jane Polak-Scowcroft
2008
Young Woman of Distinction
Roz Prober
2007
Community Voluntarism
Jacqueline Proctor
2009
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Linda Diane Puttaert
1977
Sports
Q
R
Laurie Read
2007
Health and Wellness
Elizabeth Redmond
1980
Education
Diane Redsky
2012
Circle of Inspiration
2003
?
Lindor Marion Rose Heuvel Reynolds (c1958-2014)
2005
Media and Public Relations
Mary Margaret Richard (1940-2010)
1981
Community Service
Alana Robert
2012
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Devi Sharma Rocan
2001
?
Noralou Roos
1987
Professional
Emily Rose
2006
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Eva Rosinger
1992
?
Ang'er Ruay
2007
Young Woman of Distinction
Barbara Rudyk
2001
?
Jane Runner
2002
Health and Wellness
S
Samar Safi-Harb
2015
Science, Technology and Research
Janet Marie Salway (1926-1995)
1989
?
Jan Sanderson
2014
Leadership and Management
Anita Sanin
1997
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
RoseAnna Schick
2011
Public Awareness
Trudy Schroeder
2008
Arts and Culture
Mary Scorer (1911-1988)
1982
Business
Mary Scott
1998
?
Carly Scramstrad
2015
Volunteerism
Elizabeth Suzanne Semkiw (1940-2000)
1980
Community Service
Sybil Francis Shack (1911-2004)
1983
Community Service
Marilyn Sharrow
1982
Management
Shalia Sheshia
1994
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Jennifer Mary Walker Shay (1930-2018)
1997
?
Carol Ann Warner Shields (1935-2003)
1999
?
Barbara Shumeley
2005
Health and Wellness
Leslee Silverman
2001
?
Winnifred Sim
1993
?
Berenice Barbara Warne Sisler (1924-2019)
1989
Public Affairs
Joy Smith
2012
Circle of Inspiration
Lana Lea Smith
1986
Community Service
1982
Public Affairs
Carrie Solmundson
2011
Healthy Living
Reeni Soni
2006
Health and Wellness
Leslie Spillett
1998
?
Margaret Mary Speechly Stansfield (1896-1990)
1979
Community Service
Annitta Stenning
2004
Business, Trade and Professions
Anna Stokke
2015
Community Activism and Social Enterprise
Marnie Strath
2003
Community Voluntarism
Audrey E. Strom
1989
Fitness, Recreation and Sport
Patti Sullivan
2006
Business and Professions
Susan Swan
2006
Community Voluntarism
T
Hannah Taylor
2014
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Rachelle Taylor
2014
Circle of Inspiration
Catharine Teichroew
2012
Arts
Sherry Theobald
1989
Arts
Marcia Thomson
1989
Management and Labour
Win Torchia
1994
?
Chrissy Troy
2014
Public Awareness and Communications
Dale Turner
1984
Management
U
V
Florence Marion Vaisey-Genser (1929-2005)
1980
?
Melanie Verhaeghe
2013
Public Awareness and Communications
W
Rosa Walker
1999
?
Elizabeth Warbansky
1986
Arts
Patricia “Trish” Ward
2015
Education, Training and Mentorship
Linda West
2004
Health and Wellness
June Alwyn Westbury (1921-2004)
1979
Political and Government Affairs
Lauren Wiebe
2015
Prairie Award of Promise
Karen Williams
2014
Wellness, Healthy Living and Recreation
Marilyn Williams
2001
?
Mary Emily Wilson
1993
?
Rosy Win
2000
?
Karin Wittenberg
2008
Research and Innovation
Claudia Wright
1985
?
Wanda Wuttunee
2009
Education and Training
X
Y
Gladys Yeung
2008
Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise
Helen Lillian Granger Young (1922-2023)
2013
Arts
Z
Beverley Zakaluk
2002
Education, Training and Development
Astrid Zimmer
1986
Public Affairs
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Francis Laurence “Bud” Jobin (1914-1995)
“Government House honors women of the year,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 May 1977, page 7.
“Award brings Westbury a kiss on hand,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 May 1979, page 20.
“Women stlil must fight, winner says,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 May 1980, page 5.
“McTeer tells women unity vital for rights,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 May 1981, page 2.
“The Bay congratulates the following winners,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 1982, page 24.
“The Bay congratulates the following winners,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 May 1983, page 28.
“The Bay congratulates the following winners,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 May 1984, page 30.
“Space age problems solved,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 May 1985, page 4.
“Veteran volunteer honored,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 1986, page 51.
“Dancer, broadcaster honored at women's awards dinner,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 May 1987, page 18.
“Outstanding women recognizes,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 May 1988, page 91.
“Women of the Year,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 May 1989, page 103.
“YM-YWCA honors eight with ‘Women of the Year’,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 May 1990, page 10.
“Five women honored for outstanding work,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 May 1991, page 33.
“Winnipeg women receive awards,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 April 1992, page 3.
“Women credit family values for drive to serve community,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 May 1993, page 21.
“Top women earn kudos,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 May 1994, page 35.
“The 1996 women of distinction,” Winnipeg Free Press, 11 May 1996, page 83.
“A woman of distinction,” Winnipeg Free Press, 11 June 1997, page 4.
“Five Manitoba women honoured for work,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 1998, page 10.
“YM-YWCA honour local women,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 May 1999, page 40.
“Women of distinction honoured,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 May 2000, page 7.
“10 women of note honoured at Y fete,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 May 2001, page 16.
“Congratulations to our 2002 YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Award Recipients,” Winnipeg Free Press, 18 May 2002, page 36.
“Award-winners flying high on special night,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 May 2003, page 4.
“They all make a difference,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 May 2004, page 2.
“Women of distinction,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 May 2005, pages 17-18.
“Leading lights received their due,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 May 2006, page 4.
“They all make a big difference,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 May 2007, page 4.
“Making our city a better place,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 2008, page 13.
“Women honoured for achievements,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 May 2009, page 6.
“Manitoba women honoured,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 April 2010, page 17.
“Meet our shining lights,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 May 2011, page 17.
“A night of tribute for province's finest,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 May 2012, page 13.
“Kudos for outstanding work,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 May 2013, page 2.
“Barrier-breakers given their due at awards gala,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 2014, page 2.
“Awards recognize exceptional women,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 May 2015, page 2.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 8 December 2024
Memorable Manitobans
This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.
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