The afternoon began at 2:00pm with a delightful luncheon full of laughing, tears of congratulations, shared memories and the meeting of old and new friends.  Whether a dignitary, an honoured guest, family, friend or a workmate - all in attendance joyfully engaged in conversation and humour before the ceremony commenced.  Soon, the warm wishes from dignitaries were over and the first recipient found herself being honoured with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award.  Irma Brunsdon was nominated by her daughters.  Irma and her husband have spent many years volunteering their time musically in our community.  Her daughters say their Mom only knew the word “No” when it came to them.  Otherwise she was always looking for ways she could volunteer and be engaged in the community, which has always been her greatest joy.  When Irma spoke, she noted that she shared her success by having the support of her husband.  Education has always been important to Irma, and as a lifelong learner, she didn’t even think twice when she decided, at the age of 55, to learn how to proficiently play the saxophone.  Irma’s exceptional attitude toward any opportunity to volunteer is particularly notable when she says, “To rest is to rust.”  What a great recipient to receive a lifetime achievement award but something tells me she’s not quite done actively volunteering in our community just yet.

The 2019 Inductee into the Prince Albert Women’s Hall of Fame is Dr. Shelley Storey.  She is described as “having a heart of gold” which her husband confirmed when he said, “any person coming into contact with Shelly comes away changed.  Better.”  What a humbling and wonderful compliment to pay to a woman who spoke to the audience about the people who influenced her the most in her life.  Two men really touched her in special ways; her father, Earl and Tommy Douglas.  She said her father had the opportunity to introduce himself to Tommy Douglas while they shared a flight together on a plane.  Douglas heard Earl’s last name and said, “Storey… Storey… Do you know Shelley?”  Her father admitted to having some responsibility for her existence but already Shelley had left a mark in a way that was bigger and larger than herself.  She was making a difference and impacting the world.  Instead of riding that wave of enthusiasm and exulting herself and her successes, Shelley chose to celebrate individual members of her family, extended family, past recipients who had been inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame and told stories of the influences which allowed her to be a woman ahead of her time when women were not really respected or listened to.  Shelley never accepted that ideology and forged ahead on her own path, becoming a leader and respected mentor to many, male and female.  It’s no wonder Tommy Douglas told Earl that Shelley “will go far.  She’s going to help people.”  His words ring in my ears as I hear the long list of volunteer opportunities Shelley has invested her time in accomplishing.  Perhaps one of the reasons she’s been so successful is because she chose to ask people “What do you need?” rather than telling people what she felt they needed.  That helped the community to become engaged and allowed Shelley to serve the community with kindness and love.  I really believe Shelley’s philosophy is one all of us should work towards achieving so that we all contribute to the positive attributes our community possesses.  Shelley writes, “We need to create a society where no child lives in fear - fear of being hungry, poor, abused, neglected, alone, uneducated or unloved – a society where all children have an equal opportunity to follow their dreams and become who they dream of being.  When we have created that society, we will have done well.”  What a beautiful thought that each of us has the ability to make come true.  The power of this idea is in the hands of you and me.  What are you going to do with it?  I’d love to see.

Congratulations to Irma and Shelley, two very deserving women who lead us all in becoming a more positive, kind and loving community.