[BCMA] Nanaimo Museum Press Release - Woman of the Year Display March 2012

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

March 1, 2012

 

For Immediate Release

 

 

Nanaimo Remembers Woman of the Year Event

 

International Women's Day, on March 8, will be recognized at the Nanaimo
Museum with a commemorative display recalling Nanaimo's Woman of the
Year Award.  From 1955 to 1978, the community recognized 22 women for
their contributions to the community through a community vote.

 

Museum researcher Danijela Razman volunteered to take on the project
after a conversation with 1968 recipient Joyce Command. Intrigued, she
researched the award and the women who were recognized. "It was an
important event that recognized the many hours of volunteer work done by
Nanaimo women and it has been forgotten," she said.

 

The award was created in 1955 by Spies and Buys publisher Dorothy Plant.
Plant's initial idea was to promote the magazine, and the contest
developed into an annual community event. Many recipients were surprised
by the recognition as they had no idea they had been nominated.
Nominees, who had to live within the boundaries of School District 68,
were suggested by the community. Supporters would submit the names of
worthy women and the reason they should be recognized on a ballot. A
five person panel then reviewed and counted the ballots and declared the
winner. Each winner received a small silver tray at an annual event.
Their name was also engraved on the rim of a larger perpetual silver
tray that was kept by the Council of Women. "The tray's whereabouts is
unknown and it has not been seen since the award was discontinued in
1978," said museum curator David Hill-Turner.  

 

As enthusiasm for the contest waned in the 70s, the Woman of the Year
award was merged with Nanaimo's Citizen of the Year award in 1979.
Recipients have included Snuneymuxw First Nation Elder Ellen White,
Muriel McKay, Margaret Strongitharm and Kathleen Senini. 

 

Visitors can learn more about the award and the recipients during March
at the Nanaimo Museum.

 

-30-

 

 

Media contact: David Hill-Turner, Curator
                        250-753-1821

                        david at nanaimomuseum.ca

 

 

 

 

Photo Caption: Danijela Razman (l) and Joyce Command (r) examine Joyce's
award.

Higher resolution image is available.

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