News Article

Celebrating women


3/11/2008 10:56:40 AM


A luncheon was held at Bay St. George campus of College of the North Atlantic on March 7 to celebrate International Women’s Day 2008. A number of women shared their stories at the event, themed “Strong Women, Strong World.”

Written By FRANK GALE
The Western Star

STEPHENVILLE — Wanda Mullett credits her involvement with the Bay St. George Women’s Centre in making her a strong woman.

Speaking at an International Women’s Day 2008 function at College of the North Atlantic, she said the centre where she volunteers has provided her the opportunity to meet people from different walks of life.

Mullett said she lived in Ontario for 35 years and her life was pretty well made up of working a number of jobs and raising her children as a single mom.

She said Lorraine Sheehan, executive director of the local centre, has been with her through some very trying times, and women at the centre have helped her tremendously.

Mullett was one of a number of women who shared their stories at the event, which this year had the theme “Strong Women, Strong World.”

Sheehan said the Women’s Centre is the social voice in the community, however, when she first saw the theme and its logo for this year, she couldn’t help but think of the world pushing down on women.

“We’re still struggling and still trying to get through it but I had to get past that and think about how I’ve been given the privilege of working with some of the strongest women in the world,” she said.

“I think today our (women’s) learning is true learning and we see how women have been able to move forward and raise their children in the process. Anyone who overcomes adversity is a very strong woman.”

Sheehan added that every person has the possibility to make our society stronger, but opportunities have to be given to women in equal proportion to men to make a strong world.

College president Jean Madill said the theme for International Women’s Week is a very powerful one.

She said today’s culture is changing and women are taking their rightful place in society and redefining leadership.

“Our abilities, knowledge and skills make us strong leaders. Our style incorporates a wish to collaborate, trust, listen — all qualities that help women address the challenges of their leadership roles,” Madill said.

She said women have the capability to be leaders in any position they hold and can make a difference whether in the home or in business, in volunteer organizations or in the board room.

“Today as we participate in “Strong Women, Strong World”, remember those great women who went before us and laid down the foundation for what we are in a position to accomplish today,” Madill said.

During a luncheon at Cobham’s, $250 was raised and will go to the Stephen Foundation, which helps to ease the pain of HIV/AIDS in Africa at the grassroots level.

Printed with permission from the Western Star.