CONGRATULATIONS to the 2003 Award Recipients!!

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE YOUTH AWARD - TESSA KARANGAWAI FRASER - Youth Coordinator Yekooche Youth Council

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize TESSA KARANGAWAI FRASER - Youth Coordinator Yekooche Youth Council

Sponsored by ALCAN

Tessa Fraser seems to have been working all her young life towards receiving this award. She grew up in a family dedicated to helping young people. Her Mom and Dad, Tina and Chuck Fraser, have been Foster Parents to 72 children, and that means Tessa got cast in the role of "big sister" to all of them! Her family was a most deserving recipient in 1992 of the Lieutenant Governor's Award for fostering. Tessa is a natural leader and role model for young people. Already, she has facilitated youth workshops dealing with subjects like anti-racism and anti-bullying. She speaks passionately as a motivational speaker to youth about looking forward to a positive future. She is regarded as a caring and compassionate person. To build her helping skills, she has successfully completed courses in first aid, suicide prevention, life guarding and assisting special needs children. Her parents recognize their daughter is very special. They realize that her caring heart extends to animals, too. Over the last two decades, they've shown Tessa how much they love her by letting her bring home all the stray cats and dogs she ever found!

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD - TRACEY CALOGHEROS - The Exploration Place

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize: TRACEY CALOGHEROS - The Exploration Place

Sponsored by Western Economic Diversification

For the past decade, Tracy Calogheros has contributed her development skills to the successful transformation of the Fraser-Fort George Regional Museum into the dynamic learning facility named The Exploration Place. She began working with the museum's Executive Director, George Phillips in 1994 and together they led the fundraising and expansion drive which resulted in the exciting facility it is today. Respectful of both historical and scientific content, the programs and activities developed over the last ten years have balanced the curatorial and entertainment aspects for the exhibits. The local community and visitors are responding to the creative and innovative changes which have been made. More than 2,000 families hold memberships in the museum and participation in museum events and exhibits is the highest it has ever been. Tracy was recently appointed as Executive Director and carries to this position the innovation, imagination and drive she contributed to bring The Exploration Place to prominence.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS AWARD - JEAN WELLER - Artist

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize JEAN WELLER - Artist (Award accepted by Valerie Gilles)

Sponsored by Women@Work

Jean Weller has been an active member of the arts community in Prince George since moving here in 1991. A long-serving member of the Quilter's Guild, she held board positions and organized the Guild's exhibit at the annual Studio Fair. Internationally recognized and acclaimed as a fabric artist, Jean Weller's quilted works have been featured in shows in Canada, the United States and Finland. Jean's work has been featured in four solo exhibitions and special individual pieces have won awards. Through consistently showing her work, Jean promotes this art form and also by teaching. Jean Weller embraces her art with dedication, conviction and a generous spirit of sharing.

PROFESSIONAL WOMAN OF DISTINCTION AWARD - DR. THERESA HEALY - Environmental Planning, UNBC

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize DR. THERESA HEALY - Environmental Planning, UNBC

Sponsored by Dick Byl Law

Dr. Healy is a part-time instructor in Environmental Arts at UNBC. Her specialties are gender and women's issues, social policy, qualitative research methodology and northern and rural community development. She teaches Rural Environmental Planning which engages students in finding community-driven solutions to the challenges faced in rural areas. Recent research projects included a study which explored tele-health needs in northern communities and another which examined social indicators of the health of women living in the region. Currently, Dr. Healy is focussing on women's health programs in conjunction with the Northern Health Authority and on the needs of seniors through the Northern Interior Health Unit. She is a strong advocate for community-based research and is dedicated to promoting opportunities for improving conditions in women's lives.

INFLUENCE AND IMPACT AWARD - DR. THERESA HEALY - Environmental Planning, UNBC

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize DR. THERESA HEALY - Environmental Planning, UNBC

Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank Financial Group

Dr. Healy is a natural leader. She has embraced this community since moving here in 1995 to teach at UNBC and has made significant contributions to our understanding of women's health issues in the remote and rural communities of Northern British Columbia. Through her teaching and research, Dr. Healy makes the effort to reach out and involve the community. Her influence has contributed to the positive image UNBC enjoys in this region. Every day, she reminds citizens that the university is their resource and demonstrates ways that the university can be meaningfully connected to the broader community. Actively involved in numerous organizations, Dr. Healy demonstrates her dedication to making a difference. To name a few: She serves on a national advisory board on women and social policyand she contributes to a provincial working group on women and community safety. In Prince George, she is currently chair of the Drug Addiction Recovery Team Board; is founding chair of the Prince George Oral History Group; is a recently-elected member of the board for Rotary Hospice House; and at UNBC, she serves on the advisory committee of the Research Ethics Board. We are pleased that the award this year -- Influence and Impact - Woman Of The Year - is presented to such a passionate and eloquent recipient.

FORGING OUR FUTURE WITH EDUCATION - CATHE WICHART - CNC Continuing Education

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize. CATHE WICHART - CNC Continuing Education

Sponsored by Sprott Shaw Community College

As an educator dedicated to lifelong learning, Cathe Wishart is passionate about promoting education to enhance personal and community development. Cathe is recognized as a sincere mentor who inspires confidence and creativity and helps people achieve their goals. She is particularly known for her ability to nurture other women's career aspirations. As a community leader, Cathe connects elevating educational attainment with improvements in community health. She consistently maintains high professional standards in all she does.

ABORIGINAL WOMAN OF DISTINCTION AWARD - TESSA KARANGAWAI FRASER - Youth Coordinator Yekooche Youth Council

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize TESSA KARANGAWAI FRASER - Youth Coordinator Yekooche Youth Council

Sponsored by The Aboriginal Business Development Centre

Aboriginal Woman of Distinction Award, sponsored by The Aboriginal Business Development Centre:
TESSA KARANGAWAI FRASER - Youth Coordinator Yekooche Youth Council
Tessa Fraser possesses a special gift in her ability to relate to young people. She is regarded as a positive role model and can inspire and motivate young people to take interest in each other's cultures, to connect with a sense of community, and to make healthy lifestyle choices. In 1999, Tessa was recipient of the Canada Day Youth Award in recognition of the contributions she makes to her community and country. Currently, Tessa is employed as a Youth Development Worker for the Yekooche Band Council. She served as a camp counsellor for the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and already has acting credits performing in two Aboriginal plays.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD - JUANITA CORBETT - The Hills Health Ranch

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize JUANITA CORBETT - The Hills Health Ranch

Sponsored by the Pacific Western Brewing Company

Juanita Corbett is known internationally for her expertise in spa development. She and her husband, Patrick, began development of The Hills Health Ranch in the Cariboo in 1982 and were ready to open in June of 1985. Since then, the spa has grown in stature to become a world-class spa facility. Juanita's interest in learning about holistic health and preventive medical care has resulted in creation of treatment products developed using natural oils extracted from plants. The rosehip oil Juanita developed is used in many leading spas. Oils extracted from camomile were developed next and her oil extraction company, Canadian Natural Oils, are now shipped around the world. As early as 1993, The Hills Health Ranch was voted by Spa Management Magazine as "International Specialty Spa of the Year." Another sideline business has been establishment of an international spa school where competitors are actually given the opportunity to spend a week at The Hills to learn about and share expertise. One measure of Juanita's success is in numbers. The Hills has more than 100 employees and annual revenues now exceed $1 million. The best measure of all is in the satisfaction expressed by spa guests. We recognize Juanita Corbett with presentation of the Business of the Year award.

HOME BASED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD - LANA NORN - Noah's Ark Adventureland

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize LANA NORN - Noah's Ark Adventureland

Sponsored by the Community Futures Development Corporation

Lana Norn has opened up her special farm to give children and adults the opportunity to learn about animals. She understands the needs and habits of many species. People curious to find out what different animals eat or what behaviours to look for can find out from Lana. Her home-based business is unique because she shares her home with so many different animals and invites visitors to enjoy the opportunity for this special interaction. She operates year-round, featuring tours of the farm in summer and sleigh rides through her property during the winter months. While a very labour-intensive venture, Lana enjoys her business and happily accomplishes the chores involved to operate Noah's Ark Adventure Land on Swanson Road. Congratulations to Lana Norn for her success in a most unusual home-based business.

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AWARD - DAWN MILLER - Innovation Resource Centre

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize DAWN MILLER - Innovation Resource Centre

Sponsored by The Minerva Foundation

Dawn Miller has been an inspired Executive Director of the Innovation Resource Centre. Long ago, she embraced the importance of fostering development of science and technology and applying it to the growth of economic prosperity. She demonstrates her leadership and capacity to serve as a role model for other women every day. Whether as a volunteer, motivator, mentor, advocate, trainer, or speaker - she is out there every day inspiring the art of the possible. Especially, she has been a friend and advocate for women in this region. Whether serving on the provincial Science Council or an Industry Canada summit, Dawn brings back information and shares it with the community. In many respects, she has put Prince George on the map for granting agencies, science and technology organizations, and the potential to network. In her work supporting women, Dawn was a founding member of women@work and served as founding chair of the Women's Enterprise Society. Her sound advice and encouragement have been valued in Prince George for the past three decades.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS AWARD - TANIS WEY - Family YMCA of Prince George

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize TANIS WEY - Family YMCA of Prince George

Sponsored by Clarica Representatives

Tanis is a fitness leader whose training techniques have successfully motivated many people to get fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle. She shares her expertise with other fitness trainers. Throughout the central and northern regions of this province, she is personally responsible for training hundreds of people who are now fitness leaders. Many workers hurt on the job owe their successful recovery and return of their strength and flexibility to her expert coaching and support. People suffering osteoporosis or arthritis benefit daily from the Exercise Lite program she initiated. Tanis is also gifted in her ability to work with and encourage people challenged by mental or physical disabilities. Because of her personal efforts, the Y is a facility genuinely open and accessible to everyone. Her nominators cite honesty, caring, respect and responsibility - which are the core values of the YMCA - and declare that Tanis is a woman who exhibits these values every day.

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT AWARD - JOY ALLEN - Kispoix Valley Rodeo

The Today's Woman Awards is proud to recognize JOY ALLEN - Kispoix Valley Rodeo

Sponsored by Dean Mason and Company

Joy Allen embodies the best of the concept of community enrichment. Her work is credited with reviving the Kispiox Valley Rodeo - bringing it back from virtual extinction to a thriving annual event which now attracts more than 6,000 people. Reviving the rodeo has meant a strong, positive economic boost to the Hazelton area. In an area where there were few organized events, Joy's efforts ensured that there are now activities appealing to people of all ages. Kispiox has a healthy community spirit thanks to Joy Allen's determination. Drawing from decades of experience, Joy opened a Rodeo School and holds it on her ranch every spring. Six years ago, she formed the Kispiox Valley Drill Team - found the horses and equipment they needed - and taught the drills to bring along an impressive display of horsemanship. Joy is organized and passionate about what she does and has great pride in her community and its accomplishments.

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