Recipients of the YWCA Women of the Year Awards / YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards

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.

Recipients (1977-2015)

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

Stella M. Hryniuk

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

Shirley Muir

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

Shirley Hurst Render

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

Muriel Ann Lipsey Smith

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)

Sources:

“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

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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