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Let's meet our 2024 Nelle Carter Woman of The Year Nominees (in no particular order) and celebrate their incredible achievements.

Nominee: Linda Rodenburg
Nominated by: Kim Fedderson & Annie McCourt

Linda Rodenburg is a role model who supports and encourages women of all ages to be the best they can be. As an English professor, she won a Contribution Teaching Award (student-nominated and supported). Within her organization, she also won the inaugural Spirit of Lakehead Award in 2007, as well as the Lakehead Alumni Honour Award in 2013.
As Interim Principal of the Orillia Campus of Lakehead University, she has continued to build relationships with key community partners, including Rama Mnjikaning First Nation, the City of Orillia, County of Simcoe, and Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital. Working collaboratively with the University's executive team, Dr. Rodenburg represents Lakehead University in Simcoe County and supports the University's international and economic development initiatives, including acting as Coordinator and Facilitator of the Executive Leadership Program, in partnership with Georgian College.

Annie McCourt, a friend and neighbour, says, “Linda is wholeheartedly committed to making Orillia a better place. She is a tireless supporter of our community, both in her work at the University and in her personal life. She has a great gift for bringing people together and fostering relationships that make all of us stronger."

Kim Fedderson, Principal Emeritus of Lakehead Orillia, says “Linda Rodenburg's love for Orillia and unflagging commitment to the community is evident in everything she does to make our great little city an even better place to live. She exemplifies everything we would hope to see in the next generation of community leaders. Not only is her heart in the right place, she has, in the 18 years she has lived here, demonstrated her commitment as an ever-present volunteer, educator, activist, and visionary. I stress the latter because she has an inclusive vision for our city that builds on its storied past and points to a bright future that is gaining attention both within the city and beyond."

#WOTY2024
#WomanoftheYear
#OBWA

We are looking for sponsors for our the 33rd Annual Nelle Carter Woman of The Year & The 19th Annual Lisa Brooking Young Woman of the Year 2024 Gala.

3 Sponsorship levels to choose from, they are:

Gold Sponsorship - $250.00

Sponsorship Includes:
Honourable mention at the Gala
Business logo in the Gala Program
Honourable mention on Facebook posts promoting the Gala
Honourable mention in monthly Bulletin for 1 year
1 year of Logo on the OBWA website

Silver Sponsorship - $100.00

Sponsorship Includes:
Honourable mention at the Gala
Business logo in the Gala Program
Mention in the Monthly Bulletin for 1 year

Bronze Sponsorship - $50.00

Sponsorship Includes:
Honourable mention at the Gala
Mention in the Gala program
Mention in the Monthly Bulletin for 1 year

The OBWA was formed in 1987 and this year we are hosting the 33rd Nelle Carter Woman of the Year & the 19th Lisa Brooking Young Woman of the Year Awards. The Woman of the Year Award is given to a woman respected for her outstanding work in her community, in the workplace, at home, or all three. The Young Woman of the Year must demonstrate high scholastic achievement, participation in extra school activities, and volunteer work in the community and be seeking post-secondary education. Each of the three nominees are chosen by their respective school. The chosen recipient as “Young Woman of the Year" is given a $300.00 Wendy Elliot Memorial Endowment Award and the two Young Women of Distinction will each receive $100.00 from the endowment award.

This year, we are holding the Gala on May 22, 2024 at the Best Western Mariposa Inn & Conference Centre.

We are excited to have Carey Moran of PURE COUNTRY 106 FM, as our Emcee once again.

Once again in no particular order let me introduce our 3rd & final 2024 YWOTY nominee Naomi Couture-Gagnon.

Nominated by Orillia Secondary School Guidance Counsellor Trevor Scott.

Here are Naomi's present/future goals and special interests.

I chose to go into Biomedical Engineering for three reasons: my love for learning and problem-solving, my team-work skills and my desire to address healthcare challengers. Throughout high school, my strengths have always lied in my math and science classes that require hard work and additional thinking. In addition to that, I was interested in the materials that were taught in my biology and chemistry classes. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, the Biomed program at McMaster would allow me to continue to develop my problem-solving skills while combining engineering and healthcare. Furthermore, engineering is a discipline that requires collaborations. The sports and clubs that I have been involved in have taught me to work with others in order to reach a common goal. Teamwork is now a strength of mine and I believe that the greatest ideas come from collaboration. Lastly, I would love to contribute to addressing health care challenges. Biomedical engineers have contributed to life-changing medical practices that have directly impacted me. I would love to one day give back by contributing to the improvement of medical technology.

Thank you Naomi your dedication to hard work & collaboration is inspiring. Good Luck & we look forward to meeting you very soon.

#ywoty2024
#youngwomanoftheyear
#obwa

Here is another one of the incredible 2024 Young Woman of The Year nominees Anna Holton.
Nominated by Lyndsay Novakovich Patrick Fogarty CSS Guidance Counsellor.

Here is an overview of Anna's present/future goals and projects of special interest written by herself.

My current goals consist of earning the Principal's medal for the highest average at graduation and being accepted into Queen's University. My goals after graduation consist of attending a university to complete an undergraduate degree, attending medical school, completing a residency, and then becoming a working family physician.
My dream school is Queen's University and I would like to be accepted into their Health Sciences program. If I attend Queen's University I will be able t swim on their varsity swim team and compete a the university level, which is another goal of mine. This is important to me, as swimming is a significant aspect o my life. It has been a positive outlet for my mental and physical health. My back up school is Western University where I have been accepted into the Health Sciences and Kinesiology programs. After completing an undergraduate degree I will apply to medical school where I hope to be accepted. Following that, I will complete a residency program. Finally I would like to become a working family physician. This is my dream job as it will be rewarding to watch my patients grow up and I can be a part of their journey through life. Also, I love my family doctor, and it would mean the world to me if I would have the same impact on other people's lives as he has on mine.

Anna you are a very impressive young woman and we look forward to learning more about you in the weeks ahead. Good Luck!

#ywoty2024
#youngwomanoftheyear
#obwa

Let's get to know our 2024 Young Woman of The Year Nominees.
(in no particular order)

Meet Eleanor (Elle) Waite 2024 YWOTY Nominee.
Here's a brief overview of her present/future goals, and projects of interest.

Elle's goals and dreams cover a mix of school, sports, and helping others. She wants to keep up a GPA greater than 3.5 while getting Her Bachelor's in Chemistry/Biochemistry at St. Lawrence
University in Canton, NY. After that, She hopes to go to grad school, potentially to become a pharmacist. On the sports side, She's aiming to do well enough in Nordic Skiing to make it to the
NCAA Championships by qualifying at Conference Championships. She also wants to set personal records in Track at the NCAA DIII level and even compete in international ski races and travel. She also wants to keep working with Special Olympics and help coach others while being an ambassador for brands like Rossignol and Rundle. In the end, she wants to come back to Simcoe County and work in the medical field, making a positive impact in her community.

Thank you Elle for all you are doing. Good luck and we look forward to meeting you very soon.

#ywoty2024
#youngwomanoftheyear
#obwa