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Women of Distinction Awards®

2007 Award Recipients

Celebrating its 26th year in Saskatoon, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards® were held last night. Over 630 guests and sponsors were there to recognise the achievements of 28 nominees' in 10 categories. "These truly are Ordinary Women leading Extraordinary Lives" says Teri Olson, YWCA Saskatoon Fund Development Assistant. They are women who use their intelligence, humour and compassion to teach, mentor, create and discover new and innovative ways to make our community a better place to live" The recipients were chosen by a selection committee that works independently from the YWCA and the dinner committee.

Evelyn Wojcichowsky

Evelyn Wojcichowsky has volunteered in the Saskatoon Ukrainian Community for over 20 years, working with eight organizations. Since 1993 she has been involved with the Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble, working tirelessly to ensure Yevshan is a vibrant part of the community. Most recently Evelyn has taken leadership within the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Provincial Council chairing a committee, assisting skilled workers and their families (150 persons) from Eastern Europe to immigrate here. Evelyn is a role model of creativity and innovation.

Adrianne Vangool

Adrianne Vangool is a role model for young women as a student-athlete. In her first year at the University of Saskatchewan, Adrianne was Huskie Athletics' Female Rookie of the Year as an athlete in both Huskie basketball and track and field. In 2007, she was Huskie Athletics' All Round Female Athlete for demonstrating excellence in both athletics and in the classroom as the number one ranked pole vaulter in Canadian University Sport and an Honours student in the College of Kinesiology.

Cheryl Dougan

Cheryl Dougan has been described as a "community booster," "professional optimist," and, given her witty and entertaining style, a "toddler with no fear." Cheryl is known in the volunteer community as a person who gets things done. She is Chair of the Board of the Women's Mid-Life Health Centre of Saskatchewan, a member of the Saskatchewan Blue Cross Board and is Chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee. She is a member of the 2007 Leadership Conference Committee. In 2004, Cheryl chaired the United Way Campaign.

Millie Reynolds

Millie Reynolds is recognized as an innovative, inspiring educator who had a major impact on her students and the community. Her commitment to students and parents at Nutana Collegiate led to the creation of the Millie's Early Learning Centre, a daycare named to recognize her leadership. In retirement, she spearheaded Living Simply, a guide for those living on their own for the first time. Millie volunteers in a wide array of community organizations where her insight, perspective and work ethic are valued.

Penney Murphy

During a successful broadcasting career at CKOM radio, Penney completed two degrees. A Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) with Great Distinction at the University of Saskatchewan, and a Bachelor of Social Work through the University of Regina, graduating in the top 1%.She has in addition acquired a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Calgary.

It is her passion, energy, excitement, dedication to the community, and commitment to excellence that Penney brings to work everyday as President/Owner of Cardwell Murphy Counselling and Corporate Consulting.

Dr. Lila Rudachyk

Dr. Rudachyk has dedicated her life to this province in caring for others - those stricken as a result of stoke, catastrophic events resulting in paraplegia, quadriplegia, or traumatic brain injury, and acute and chronic pain (to name a few), through her career as well as through her many volunteer care endeavors. Dr. Rudachyk is Acting Unified Department Head for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.

Irene Morrell

Irene Morrell is a remarkable lady who has contributed greatly to Saskatoon's quality of life, making every minute of each day count for the benefit of others. Although she was employee full time, Irene's joy in life came from using her many gifts to help people in Saskatoon. Her many contributions include key roles in home and school associations, work with CNIB, Kidney Foundation, United Way, Cancer Society, Child Find and as a Peer Leader in the "Live Well with Chronic Conditions" program.

Yvonne Brown

Yvonne Brown has been a nurse in Saskatoon for 45 years. She is a faculty member and past Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan. Yvonne has demonstrated ongoing leadership within her profession and made an enormous difference in lives of countless Nursing students and faculty members over the years through her advocacy of nursing. She has facilitated innovative projects that have led to improved health of people within both the city and province.

Dr. Norma Stewart

In her 41 year career as a nurse educator and scientist, Dr. Norma Stewart has touched the lives of many women in Saskatchewan. Her research has focused on empowering people who are most vulnerable such as those who have dementia. She has also been an advocate for the nursing profession in rural and remote areas of the province and in Canada. Her research continues to influence health policy and practice so that the delivery of health care will improve.

Katrina Kindrachuk

Katrina Kindrachuk exemplifies a young Saskatoonian caring about other young people in her schools and neighborhoods. She impacts the lives of young women, families and the community through her caring, advocacy, mentorship. She shows tenacious commitment to the safety and rights of youth in our communities through her volunteer work advocating for a Buddy System for school children, and for Kids Help Phone. While working for the Children's Advocacy Office in Saskatchewan, Katrina became an integral part of creating a more just and equal society.

YWCA Saskatoon provides advocacy, programs and services to positively impact the lives of women, their families and the community.