YWHISPER GALA A BIG SUCCESS

Best attendance in 7-year history

Silence is not a virtue when it comes to the cycle of family violence, homelessness and poverty. Speak up. Speak out. Such are the mantras of YW Calgary’s YWHISPER Gala. YW Calgary is the largest and longest-serving women’s organization in the city. Throughout its 106-year history, the organization has touched tens of thousands of lives and evolved its programs to meet the changing needs of women in the community. In 2016, YW Calgary supported more than 6,800 Calgary women and families.

Support of this magnitude would not happen were it not for invaluable donors, government and other social agencies. And the success of YW Calgary’s YWHISPER Gala adds greatly to the organization’s ability to provide its invaluable services.

More than 670 guests gathered at the Telus Convention Centre Nov. 16 to support the seventh annual gala featuring keynote speaker Marcia Clark. Readers may recall notables the likes of Martin Luther King III, Michaelle Jean, Gloria Steinem, Naomi Judd and Erin Brockovich have graced the stage in years past. Choosing Clark as this year’s keynote proved a wise decision indeed as the gala saw its best attendance in its sevenyear history.

Clark is most notable as the lead prosecutor in the high-profile People of the State of California v. O.J. Simpson case. Clark has experienced harsh criticism, sexism and harassment throughout her career — experiences many women can unfortunately relate to. Her address this night was powerful indeed.

“Women, when you get that raise, when you get that promotion, when you get that bonus — quit being ‘grateful.’ You got it because you deserve it and worked hard for it” was but one of Clark’s statements was met with thunderous applause.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS Pictured, from left, at the seventh annual YWHISPER Gala held Nov. 16 are Justice Sean Dunnigan; gala chair Shannon Young; keynote speaker Marcia Clark; Dawn Farrell, president and CEO of TransAlta Corporation; and Sue Tomney, CEO of YWCA of Calgary....

From left are Calgary Midnapore MP Stephanie Kusie with Air Canada’s Catherine Dyer, Eric Lauzon, Caroline Johnson and Twyla Robinson.

Marcia Clark, left, and Sue Tomney.

YWCA’s Patricia Irvine, Alberta Order of Excellence Council member Sharon Carry, and YWCA’s Jan Damery.

From left, Fasken Martineau’s Karen Wyke, Brenden Hunter and Vhari Storwick.

Boyden Executive Search’s Brent Shervey and his wife, Dr. Gail Shervey.

YWCA board chair Rebecca Morley, left, and Shannon Young, seventh annual YWHISPER Fundraising Gala chair.

YWCA board member Georgine Ulmer, left, and West Campus Development Trust director of marketing Maureen Henderson.

Russ Tynan and his wife, recent Order of the University of Calgary recipient Jill Tynan.

Ebony Lewis and Lee Rogers.