The YWCA honoured women whose achievements contributed to the well-being and future of our community at a ceremony attended by nearly 1,000 people at the Westin Bayshore Tuesday evening.
The awards also honoured businesses and organizations that support the wellness and unique needs of their employees.
The Women of Distinction Awards began in 1984. Since then, YWCA Vancouver has honoured more than 200 deserving women and workplaces.
Awards recipients were:
- arts, culture and design, Morna Edmundson, artistic director, Elektra Women’s Choir;
- business and the professions, Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO, Vancity Credit Union;
- community building, Christina Anthony, director, Odlum Brown Ltd. and founder and chairwoman of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs;
- education, training and development, Malgorzata Dubiel, senior lecturer of mathematics, SFU;
- entrepreneurship and innovation, Beverley Pomeroy, founder and CEO, Global Currents Enterprises;
- health and active living, Verity Livingstone, medical director, Vancouver Breastfeeding Centre;
- innovative workplace, McCarthy Tétrault LLP;
- non-profit and public service, Linda Malcolm, constable and sex industry liaison officer, Vancouver Police Department;
- technology, science and industry, Janet Wood, executive vice-president, SAP;
- young woman of distinction, Alia Dharamsi, former president and founder, UBC Meal Exchange; and
- connecting the community, Saleema Noon, principal, iGirl Empowerment Workshops.
Jennifer Harrison