In the Media
2007-03-15, Real Estate Weekly
Local Women of Vision Recognised
by Heather Andrews Miller
Global TV's Lesley MacDonald says the achievements of the women of vision in the Edmonton area are outstanding.
For over 12 years, women from all walks of life have been recognized by Global Television’s Lesley MacDonald. On the evening news the first Monday of the month and in the Edmonton Journal, a doctor, teacher, volunteer or other woman who has used her talents and abilities to improve the community or create a successful venture is featured. And this Friday, March 16, these models of inspiration for the past year will be honoured at the sold-out 12th annual Woman of Vision luncheon.
“Not so many years ago, there were few female mentors as everything was run by men. For example, there were no female news anchors until recently. So, encouraged by Global TV, I put together an advisory board of women to recognize those who were breaking new ground in various areas,” she explains. “Everyone was so enthusiastic and the project just took off.” Originally a recognition dinner for the women was planned, but the organizers realized the families, friends and co-workers would want to celebrate too, so the idea of an award banquet at a bigger venue was conceived. “Over 650 attended that first luncheon and it’s grown since then. And a one-hour TV special to run later in the spring and was filmed, establishing a pattern that continues to this day,” she adds. This year, the special will run Saturday, April 28 at 8:00 pm. Calgary started a similar program about seven years ago.
An example of one of the candidates who will be honoured on Friday is Janaya Ellis, a singer-songwriter in the Souljah Fyah reggae band. Ellis has changed the face of the male-dominated world of reggae music. Known on stage as Sista J Zealous, she was told that a reggae band would never succeed in Edmonton, but she embarked on her dream anyway. Today converted fans are now eating their words as they groove the band’s driving beat on packed dance floors across the city. Trained for 18 years in classical music on several different instruments, Ellis fell in love with reggae music the first time she heard it as a child. The lyrics she writes carry strong social and political messages that advocate compassion, human rights, spirituality and love. The 23-year old single mother of a two-year old juggles several roles as band manager and lead singer, actress, and as an Elk Island Public School teacher, where she gets high marks from both staff and parents for rejuvenating the music program. Her vision is to help pioneer a strong and vibrant music industry in Edmonton. The Edmonton Real Estate Board helps with sponsorship so charities and other non-profit community groups can afford to enjoy her top-notch entertainment.
Others being honoured at this year’s banquet include Muriel Stanley Venne, founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women and long time activist whose work has already earned her an Order of Canada, Governor General’s Commemorative Award for the Person’s Case and the Alberta Human Rights Award, to name a just few. Others being recognized include: visually-impaired Wendy Edey; Deb Cautley, executive director, Youth Emergency Shelter Society; Alexandra Senkow, fitness director and owner of Defining Eve; Kerrie Long, general manger of the Edmonton International Film Festival; Marilyn Peckett, superintendent at Elk Island National Park; Susan Green, social entrepreneur; Sandra Bromley, artist; JudyLynn Archer, executive director, Women Building Futures; Sandra Woitas, educator, and Jennifer Heil, Olympic gold medalist. Each has made the world a better place in which to live, helping low-income children and youth succeed, women prosper in male-dominated professions, restoring public parklands, rejuvenating a popular festival, motivating others to life-saving fitness, counselling people diagnosed with an illness or facing chronic pain, and other worthwhile goals which benefit the entire community. The accomplishments of outstanding women in the Edmonton area are awesome, she adds.
