YWCA announces its Women of Distinction
Winners to be honoured on International Women’s Day, March 8
Three Lethbridge residents will be honoured next month as recipients of the YWCA Woman of Distinction awards for 2019. The presentations will be made on International Women’s Day, March 8.
University of Lethbridge art history professor Anne Dymond, science student Anna Kovalchuk and school board treasurer Christine Lee will be recognized “for their achievement as individuals, as members of their communities, and as role models for other women.”
“The Women of Distinction Awards recognize outstanding women who elevate and enrich our local and global communities,” says YWCA board chair Jessie Westers.
“The impact of these women is incredible and demonstrates the power of vision, determination and perseverance.”
Dymond, being cited for community leadership and enhancement, was a founder of the “From Syria to Lethbridge” group which helped refugees begin a new life here.
Kovalchuk, daughter of internationally recognized University of Lethbridge neuroscience researcher Olga Kovalchuk, was named for recognition in the science, technology and research category.
Lee, longtime treasurer for Lethbridge School District 51, is this year’s recipient in the leadership and management category. Her achievements were also recognized recently by the Association of School Business Officials International.
YWCA spokesperson Nancy Stuart has also announced the event’s keynote speaker. Lethbridge-born Jaime VandenBerg was crowned Miss Earth Canada in August 2018.
She went on to represent our country at the international Miss Earth Competition in the Philippines the following October. But after arriving there, VandenBerg weathered two weeks of sexual harassment and classic human trafficking control.
When VandenBerg could take no more, Stuart reports, she took a stand against sexual harassment and withdrew from the competition. After returning to Canada, she published “An Open Letter to Anyone Who’s Been Sexually Harassed in Cosmopolitan Philippines” to validate the feelings of anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, and let them know they are not alone.
VandenBerg is working on her combined degree at the University of Lethbridge, officials add. She hopes to become a lawyer.
“Join us on International Women’s Day to learn how Jaime leveraged her Lethbridge Victim Services Unit training and YWCA Lethbridge safety planning protocols to devise a plan and to escape,” Stuart urges.
The awards ceremony will be held March 8 at Mortar & Brick Arts and Events. Ticket are priced at $100 — with a $50 charitable donation tax receipt — and they’re available through