The Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie Area has honoured 11 local women as part of International Women's Day and Zonta Rose Day.
They were each presented with yellow roses.
Following is a full release announcing the honourees:
As a celebration of International Women’s Day and Zonta Rose Day on March 8, the Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie Area presented yellow roses to each of 11 women who have made outstanding contributions to our local community. The following were honoured:
- Mana Goodfellow and Katrina Holkko - The co-owners of The Soup Witch are known for their generous community spirit and creativity; they are true role models for women in business.
- Paige Simon and Lue Mahaffey - These two amazing women took a canoe trip from Sault Ste. Marie to Spanish to raise funds for Water First (an NGO that helps First Nations deal with water issues). They raised $76,498.80 which surpassed their goal to raise 50 cents for every Indigenous child that went to residential school.
- Katrina Francella- Koach Katrina is a non-binary activist and a role model for 2SLGBTQQIA youth and is known for their promotion of positive mental health, inclusiveness and community spirit.
- Girlie Collings - A volunteer for over 40 years, Girlie continues to advocate and organize with her current project of a library for large print books at Pathways. Her past volunteer projects include being a founding member of the North Shore Agricultural Society, a 4H leader, a Girl Scout leader, a member of the Laird’s Women’s Institute, a Board member at the Dr. Trefry Memorial Centre and an advocate for a historical designation for Knox Presbyterian Church in Bar River.
- Teri Winter - Teri is being honoured as a wonderful advocate and role model to all her students at Sault College, as well as for her volunteerism and contributions to her home community of Desbarats. She and her daughters were instrumental in starting a Poultry Association for Youth in her community. This honour is being presented posthumously.
- Amy Williams - Amy is a role model for following one’s passion and contributing to the community. Moved by the display of children’s shoes on the steps of Shingwauk Hall at Algoma, Amy painted the sadness she saw. As she received requests to purchase these prints, she decided to donate the $6,695 raised from the sales of her print to the Shingwauk Residential School Centre.
- Dawn Kennedy - A Zonta member for 10 years, Dawn is a strong advocate for the empowerment of women and girls in the community and in our club. She is also being recognized for her deep involvement in so many aspects of Zonta, always ready to volunteer and share her skills.
- Linda Greco - A gifted and creative card-maker, Linda shared this talent with Sault Area Hospital Gift Shop and with Zonta for a number of our service projects and fundraisers over the last few years. Linda is known for her giving spirit to her family and friends, as well as volunteering in her church and the Sault Star Santa Fund.
- Barbara Gallagher - As a former Zontian, Barb was a strong contributor to our many service projects and fundraisers. She founded Cantation Choir, a women’s ensemble that performs at senior’s homes, fundraising events and other concerts. Barb is a positive, creative person with a passion for music and the arts; her talents have extended to numerous local theatre productions. With a strong community spirit, Barb also volunteers at ARCH.
“We have been honouring women in our community since 2006 and are always amazed at the variety of experience, ages and strengths of these community leaders. Presenting each of these wonderful women with a yellow rose on International Women’s Day is a simple act of recognition for the contributions they have made to Sault Ste. Marie and area and/or globally. The Zonta Club is proud and privileged to do this,” said Kathy Rydall, President of the local club.
Zonta is a global organization of members working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta International celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2019. The Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie Area has served the Sault Ste. Marie area since 1978.