Woman of Wisdom and Passion
Past Recipients
Daphne Bramhan - BC DKG Woman of Wisdom and Passion, 2018
Daphne spoke at two Vancouver Chapter Meetings, first in 2016 and again in 2018. She so impressed the members that they successfully nominated her for the Woman of Wisdom and Passion Award, given this past Saturday April 28, 2018.
Daphne has been a columnist for The Vancouver Sun Newspaper since 1989. She has consistently performed extensive research on public issues – the most current being Global Warming in which she collected data in the Antarctic region and has continued to research the effect of plastics on the environment.
Daphne is passionate about education, particularly for women and girls at home and around the world. Over the past years, Daphne has reported on the plight of families and children of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (known as the Bountiful Community) in B.C. Out of that research, she has developed a current concern of advocating for students who are home-schooled in B.C. She recently raised the issue of a lack of regulation for home-schooled children in B.C. compared to other provinces, and challenged members to get involved at chapter and provincial levels on this issue. She raises issues that fit the purposes of DKG, especially # 4 (To initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education of women and children) and # 7 (To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society).
Her awards include:
Daphne spoke at two Vancouver Chapter Meetings, first in 2016 and again in 2018. She so impressed the members that they successfully nominated her for the Woman of Wisdom and Passion Award, given this past Saturday April 28, 2018.
Daphne has been a columnist for The Vancouver Sun Newspaper since 1989. She has consistently performed extensive research on public issues – the most current being Global Warming in which she collected data in the Antarctic region and has continued to research the effect of plastics on the environment.
Daphne is passionate about education, particularly for women and girls at home and around the world. Over the past years, Daphne has reported on the plight of families and children of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (known as the Bountiful Community) in B.C. Out of that research, she has developed a current concern of advocating for students who are home-schooled in B.C. She recently raised the issue of a lack of regulation for home-schooled children in B.C. compared to other provinces, and challenged members to get involved at chapter and provincial levels on this issue. She raises issues that fit the purposes of DKG, especially # 4 (To initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education of women and children) and # 7 (To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society).
Her awards include:
- National Newspaper Award 2004.
- Jack Webster Award for Commentator of the year 2004-2005.
- Published The Secret Lives of Saints Child Brides and Lost Boys in Canada’s Mormon Sect.
- Shortlisted for the National Non-Fiction Book Award (BC) 2008.
- Beyond Borders National Award.
- National Award for Column Writing.
- Honorary Degree Doctor of Letters Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Capilano University 2013.
- Gave the convocation address to students at Capilano University 2013.
Shirley Lang – DKG BC Woman of Wisdom and Passion, 2017
Current Community Involvement:
Consistently mentors young new Chefs, some from an Indigenous heritage, as she is also from the Cree Nation. Developed a First Nations scholarship culinary fund to assist with costs for Aboriginal chefs to advance their passion and gifts. Worked diligently with Aboriginal women who have been affected by trauma due to abuses in childhood and intimate partner violence, by co-writing a funding proposal to begin a healing program at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Awakening the Warrior Woman Within. She also coordinated and co-facilitated this program for over one year, until her company, Kitchens of Distinction Culinary Arts Ltd. became too busy. She has created an Aboriginal Culinary Tour company as well, Spirit Culinary Excursions that will showcase many Aboriginal Vancouver Islands culinary artisans as well as non Aboriginal artisans.
Previous relevant community involvement:
- Instrumental in creating the Raven Fund, a scholarship fund for up and coming new Aboriginal chefs with the Canadian Culinary Foundation.
- Collaborated with programs that support the Murdered and Missing Women outcry for help.
- Empowering Healthy Families Elder program
- Justice Coordinator, Founder Ska’Is Transformative Justice Program
- Traditional Cultural Circle Facilitator Cree Practices.
- Lang Collective Mediation…Comprehensive Family Mediator
- Dakota West Consulting ---contracted by various Lawyers
- Gladue Report writing…cultural background impact reports including holistic healing sentence recommendations for pre-sentence process of Aboriginal Offenders ( based on the Supreme Court of Canada Decision R.v. Gladue & Section 718 CCC)
Other awards or recognition earned, special accomplishments or honours:
- 2014 Woman to Watch For Reward
- 2012 2013 Outstanding Customer Service Award
- numerous other awards including Ethics.
Shirley came to my attention when she became the woman to watch for in 2014. Cathie and I visited her in her Kitchen of Distinction and had an amazing afternoon getting to know a little about this so talented passionate woman.
Her life is dedicated to make others realize their potential. She lives a healthy and balanced lifestyle in order to be a positive role model for her daughter, grand daughter and community at large.
We were impressed to learn about her work with Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people using her speaking and writing and cooking skills .
Shirley amazes , she has a dynamic competence to empower others. She has demonstrated an uncanny adeptness for bringing out the best in people.
She never stops. She always tries new adventures and is now especially competent in using cooking as the soul to reach people.
She has a journey of life through adversity to unlimited Possibilities.
Shirley Lang - Through Adversity to Unlimited Possibilities
Born to Cree parents, Shirley was raised with an inherent respect for Indigenous ways and the power of Earth's abundance. A single mother and soon to be a first time grandmother, Shirley lives a healthy and balanced lifestyle in order to be a positive role model.
Shirley arrived in British Columbia in 1995, from Toronto, leaving her successes and the life she built, behind. During her 20 years in Toronto, Shirley was an entrepreneur owning and operating four high end hairdressing salons as well as a talent agency. Shirley was a prominent figure in the Canadian entertainment industry. At the hub of a high-profile circle of stars and celebrities, Shirley was the focus of major editorial and television coverage. She has contributed to the success of recording artists, radio hosts, television stars and prominent actors, at home and abroad.
In Vancouver and Victoria, Shirley coordinated and developed programs which constructively involved the Aboriginal community in the justice process. Since 2002, in addition to her justice related work, Shirley’s entrepreneurial spirit moved her to grow her Catering company, Kitchens of Distinction Culinary Arts Ltd. Shirley has won many cooking awards, as well as
community awards, such as the 2014 Woman to Watch Award. She has been featured in the Times Colonist, EAT Magazine, Shaw TV and Chek TV. Shirley is a keen supporter of personal empowerment, and was instrumental in the creation of the The Raven Fund, a scholarship fund for up and coming new Aboriginal chefs with the Canadian Culinary Foundation, in collaboration with programs that support the Murdered and Missing Women's marches.
With a dynamic competence to empower others and an uncanny adeptness for bringing out the best in people, Shirley applies her personal philosophies to the challenges of everyday circumstances and the human condition. She is poised to help her audience identify their untapped gifts and skills, while sparking their imagination, broadening their realm of possibilities, and facilitating their advancement. Through her willingness to share her personal story, Shirley will demonstrate that through conscious awareness and commitment to self-growth, overcoming adversity can lead to an inspired and fulfilling life of love, abundance and possibility.
2016 Woman of Wisdom and Passion - Sheila Pither
Sheila is currently the treasurer of COSCO (Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of BC); Executive member of Vancouver Retired Teachers; a member of Vancouver Board of Education Archives and Heritage Committee; and a member of CEAN (Community Engagement Advisory Network).
Her previous relevant community involvement includes: learning assistance teacher at Simon Fraser, Point Grey, and David Thompson Secondary Schools; being on the bargaining team of the BCTF for 20 years; she has worked on BCTF sponsored leadership programs for Namibian teachers; was President of the BCRTA from 2008-2010; served as a driving force behind the development of the first COSCO workshop on “Falls Prevention”; organized the workshops for COSCO; and is currently a member of CEAN (Community Engagement Advisory Network) which collaborates with VCH to improve our health care system.
Sheila has great concern for the well being of seniors through her work with COSCO and CEAN. She has a quiet and efficient manner, is easy to approach and gives considered answers to problems. Sheila has been honoured by her profession with the BCTF Fergusson Award for her outstanding contribution to education and was awarded lifetime membership of BCTF and Vesta for her volunteer and advocacy work.
She is truly a woman of wisdom and passion!
Sheila is currently the treasurer of COSCO (Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of BC); Executive member of Vancouver Retired Teachers; a member of Vancouver Board of Education Archives and Heritage Committee; and a member of CEAN (Community Engagement Advisory Network).
Her previous relevant community involvement includes: learning assistance teacher at Simon Fraser, Point Grey, and David Thompson Secondary Schools; being on the bargaining team of the BCTF for 20 years; she has worked on BCTF sponsored leadership programs for Namibian teachers; was President of the BCRTA from 2008-2010; served as a driving force behind the development of the first COSCO workshop on “Falls Prevention”; organized the workshops for COSCO; and is currently a member of CEAN (Community Engagement Advisory Network) which collaborates with VCH to improve our health care system.
Sheila has great concern for the well being of seniors through her work with COSCO and CEAN. She has a quiet and efficient manner, is easy to approach and gives considered answers to problems. Sheila has been honoured by her profession with the BCTF Fergusson Award for her outstanding contribution to education and was awarded lifetime membership of BCTF and Vesta for her volunteer and advocacy work.
She is truly a woman of wisdom and passion!
April 22, 2013 ~ Muriel Endersby
What Makes a Wise and Passionate Leader?
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, British Columbia, is pleased to announce the selection of Muriel Endersby as the 2013 recipient of our Woman of Wisdom and Passion award. Muriel was recognized at a luncheon on Saturday, April 20, for her work educating teachers of the poorest of the poor in India and providing instructional materials for those children. The award honours a woman in British Columbia who has worked diligently to improve the lives of others in her community or in underdeveloped regions in the world and inspires others through her leadership and the passion she brings to her work.
Muriel’s initiative was to train teachers working in English medium schools in the poverty stricken areas of Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Balasore and the Teachers Training College in Hyderabad, India. For the past five years she has brought English-language skills to teach children from the lowest castes, many of whom came from families who were illiterate, thus providing them with opportunities to work in paying occupations rather than being sold by their families as sex-trade workers.
Muriel and her husband have worked with Dalit Freedom Network (DFN) Canada to bring Muriel's Fun Family Phonics program to the 104 Good Shepherd Schools in India. The outreach and materials have been funded by DFN, the generosity of their local church, Tyndale House Publishers, as well as by Muriel and her husband. Sylvia McLellan , who is completing her PhD at UBC along with her husband, have assisted with the teacher training for the past three years. Also with the help of Ingrid Meneses, a teacher- educator from Chile, Muriel has revised her materials and produced four workbooks, one for each year of the program.
In 2012, Muriel and her husband again visited the schools and gave workshops to the teachers using the phonics program. On her last day in India, Muriel had the privilege of meeting the girls from one of the "Shelters" who attend the school in Hyderabad. These girls had all been rescued from sex trafficking and were meeting after school in a room where one of the volunteer teachers gives them extra training in Fun Family Phonics. They love the program and are doing very well in both spoken and written English. Asking each of the 13 girls what they would like to do when they grow up, they shared their dreams with big smiles: “I want to be a teacher." "I want to be a doctor." “I want to be a nurse." Each girl had a dream for her future.
Muriel told us that anything she can do to help the children in these schools in India dream of a future outside of bonded labour and slavery, makes any time, money and effort one hundred percent worthwhile. We were inspired and humbled by Muriel’s dedication and grateful that she and her husband have found Ingrid, a teacher who is equally passionate about carrying on the work in India while Muriel and her husband continue to seek local financial support that will sustain the program.
What Makes a Wise and Passionate Leader?
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, British Columbia, is pleased to announce the selection of Muriel Endersby as the 2013 recipient of our Woman of Wisdom and Passion award. Muriel was recognized at a luncheon on Saturday, April 20, for her work educating teachers of the poorest of the poor in India and providing instructional materials for those children. The award honours a woman in British Columbia who has worked diligently to improve the lives of others in her community or in underdeveloped regions in the world and inspires others through her leadership and the passion she brings to her work.
Muriel’s initiative was to train teachers working in English medium schools in the poverty stricken areas of Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Balasore and the Teachers Training College in Hyderabad, India. For the past five years she has brought English-language skills to teach children from the lowest castes, many of whom came from families who were illiterate, thus providing them with opportunities to work in paying occupations rather than being sold by their families as sex-trade workers.
Muriel and her husband have worked with Dalit Freedom Network (DFN) Canada to bring Muriel's Fun Family Phonics program to the 104 Good Shepherd Schools in India. The outreach and materials have been funded by DFN, the generosity of their local church, Tyndale House Publishers, as well as by Muriel and her husband. Sylvia McLellan , who is completing her PhD at UBC along with her husband, have assisted with the teacher training for the past three years. Also with the help of Ingrid Meneses, a teacher- educator from Chile, Muriel has revised her materials and produced four workbooks, one for each year of the program.
In 2012, Muriel and her husband again visited the schools and gave workshops to the teachers using the phonics program. On her last day in India, Muriel had the privilege of meeting the girls from one of the "Shelters" who attend the school in Hyderabad. These girls had all been rescued from sex trafficking and were meeting after school in a room where one of the volunteer teachers gives them extra training in Fun Family Phonics. They love the program and are doing very well in both spoken and written English. Asking each of the 13 girls what they would like to do when they grow up, they shared their dreams with big smiles: “I want to be a teacher." "I want to be a doctor." “I want to be a nurse." Each girl had a dream for her future.
Muriel told us that anything she can do to help the children in these schools in India dream of a future outside of bonded labour and slavery, makes any time, money and effort one hundred percent worthwhile. We were inspired and humbled by Muriel’s dedication and grateful that she and her husband have found Ingrid, a teacher who is equally passionate about carrying on the work in India while Muriel and her husband continue to seek local financial support that will sustain the program.
2012 ~ Anne Thompson
Each year British Columbia recognizes one woman who has worked diligently to improve the lives of others in her community and has inspired others through her work and passion for that work.
The 2012 recipient, Anne Thompson, has provided extensive leadership to the Vancouver School Board throughout her years as a primary teacher, as a principal, and as a consultant and in-service provider at the local and provincial level.
Anne has also provided a great deal of leadership to Delta Kappa Gamma in the province of British Columbia. She has been a Chapter President, a Provincial President, a Northwest Regional Director and the Chair of the 2007 Northwest Regional Conference. On the international level, she has worked on the Expansion Committee when Mexico joined DKG. She was chair of the Golden Gift Fund Committee and coordinated and led the two week Leadership Seminar at the University of Texas. She chaired the International Leadership Development Committee and organized and led the training workshops for the new presidents in each of the five regions. She traveled across the USA and ended with the final training session in Malmo, Sweden.
Anne Thompson is a deserving candidate for this award for her exceptional contribution to
her profession and to DKG.
Each year British Columbia recognizes one woman who has worked diligently to improve the lives of others in her community and has inspired others through her work and passion for that work.
The 2012 recipient, Anne Thompson, has provided extensive leadership to the Vancouver School Board throughout her years as a primary teacher, as a principal, and as a consultant and in-service provider at the local and provincial level.
Anne has also provided a great deal of leadership to Delta Kappa Gamma in the province of British Columbia. She has been a Chapter President, a Provincial President, a Northwest Regional Director and the Chair of the 2007 Northwest Regional Conference. On the international level, she has worked on the Expansion Committee when Mexico joined DKG. She was chair of the Golden Gift Fund Committee and coordinated and led the two week Leadership Seminar at the University of Texas. She chaired the International Leadership Development Committee and organized and led the training workshops for the new presidents in each of the five regions. She traveled across the USA and ended with the final training session in Malmo, Sweden.
Anne Thompson is a deserving candidate for this award for her exceptional contribution to
her profession and to DKG.
2011 ~ Jonquil Hallgate
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in British Columbia, annually recognizes a woman who has made a significant impact in her community. This year Jonquil Hallgate of Surrey, BC, was recognized at a luncheon at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis Club, April 16, 2011 for her volunteer work with the poor and homeless in the Whalley neighbourhood of Surrey.
Ms Hallgate has been active as a volunteer since the age of 15 working with sports groups, Special Olympics, school programs, Homelessness Intervention Project, Calgary Folk Music Festival, First Night Festivals, Alberta Winter and Summer Games, Holland Park Olympic Celebrations, Surrey Homelessness and Housing Task Force, GVRD Extreme Weather Task Group, the Surrey Board of Trade Social Policy Team, an the Faith and Society Committee of the Lutheran Church.
Currently Ms Hallgate manages the Surrey Urban Mission in Whalley, coordinating on a full-time volunteer basis the operations of the Mission and its programs. Her motto is “try another way” as she meets and teaches creative problem solving to address difficult situations. She is single minded about ensuring that people have the opportunity to exercise their rights and in finding ways to get around barriers that often stop others.
Ms Hallgate holds a degree in Recreation Therapy, a diploma in Management, and certificates in Management in Volunteer Services and in High Performance Leadership. Her experience include developing and managing programs for people living with developmental disabilities, managing group homes, working in school settings with children and teens in a special education setting, church manager, Coordinator of Volunteers and Special Events, Office Manager in environmental organizations, and owner of a small business.
Jonquil is involved in a variety of activities in the community. She participates fully in her faith community, is active in civic, provincial and federal politics, is involved in her children’s lives and enjoys musical outings, quilting and reading. She works in an organization that functions entirely on volunteerism by building community partnerships and relationships, inviting a diverse group of community members to participate in assisting neighbours at the Mission and being creative about building capacity to continue to grow the opportunities offered for people living with barriers in their lives.
Ms Hallgate’s life has been marked by a passion to create opportunities for those who are often marginalized in our community. She has demonstrated wisdom in coordinating the disparate parties that allow opportunities to happen.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in British Columbia, annually recognizes a woman who has made a significant impact in her community. This year Jonquil Hallgate of Surrey, BC, was recognized at a luncheon at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis Club, April 16, 2011 for her volunteer work with the poor and homeless in the Whalley neighbourhood of Surrey.
Ms Hallgate has been active as a volunteer since the age of 15 working with sports groups, Special Olympics, school programs, Homelessness Intervention Project, Calgary Folk Music Festival, First Night Festivals, Alberta Winter and Summer Games, Holland Park Olympic Celebrations, Surrey Homelessness and Housing Task Force, GVRD Extreme Weather Task Group, the Surrey Board of Trade Social Policy Team, an the Faith and Society Committee of the Lutheran Church.
Currently Ms Hallgate manages the Surrey Urban Mission in Whalley, coordinating on a full-time volunteer basis the operations of the Mission and its programs. Her motto is “try another way” as she meets and teaches creative problem solving to address difficult situations. She is single minded about ensuring that people have the opportunity to exercise their rights and in finding ways to get around barriers that often stop others.
Ms Hallgate holds a degree in Recreation Therapy, a diploma in Management, and certificates in Management in Volunteer Services and in High Performance Leadership. Her experience include developing and managing programs for people living with developmental disabilities, managing group homes, working in school settings with children and teens in a special education setting, church manager, Coordinator of Volunteers and Special Events, Office Manager in environmental organizations, and owner of a small business.
Jonquil is involved in a variety of activities in the community. She participates fully in her faith community, is active in civic, provincial and federal politics, is involved in her children’s lives and enjoys musical outings, quilting and reading. She works in an organization that functions entirely on volunteerism by building community partnerships and relationships, inviting a diverse group of community members to participate in assisting neighbours at the Mission and being creative about building capacity to continue to grow the opportunities offered for people living with barriers in their lives.
Ms Hallgate’s life has been marked by a passion to create opportunities for those who are often marginalized in our community. She has demonstrated wisdom in coordinating the disparate parties that allow opportunities to happen.
2010 ~ Jody Paterson
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International of British Columbia announced Jody Paterson as the 2010 recipient of the Woman of Wisdom and Passion Award. The award honours an individual whose outstanding leadership and achievements exemplify wisdom and passion.
Ms Paterson is a writer, and award-winning journalist. She recently completed a five-week series on homelessness which took an in-depth look at homeless from five different perspectives: those on the streets; city cleanup crews; the police; downtown businesses and city hall; and the mental health system. She was also on the steering committee of the Mayor’s Task Force on breaking the cycle of homelessness in the downtown, and continues to work on solutions to this tragic crisis.
Jody Paterson was the executive director of Prostitute Empowerment Education Resource Society, Victoria,
B.C. , a non-profit society mandated to support sex workers in improving their lives. Her leadership was essential in improving the working conditions and rights for those employed in the sex trade.
Ms. Paterson was recognized at the DKG symposium held in April 2010. She was also feted at a special DKG Chapter meeting held in Saanich where local women educators applauded her efforts in improving the lives of women, children and families in the Greater Victoria region.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International of British Columbia announced Jody Paterson as the 2010 recipient of the Woman of Wisdom and Passion Award. The award honours an individual whose outstanding leadership and achievements exemplify wisdom and passion.
Ms Paterson is a writer, and award-winning journalist. She recently completed a five-week series on homelessness which took an in-depth look at homeless from five different perspectives: those on the streets; city cleanup crews; the police; downtown businesses and city hall; and the mental health system. She was also on the steering committee of the Mayor’s Task Force on breaking the cycle of homelessness in the downtown, and continues to work on solutions to this tragic crisis.
Jody Paterson was the executive director of Prostitute Empowerment Education Resource Society, Victoria,
B.C. , a non-profit society mandated to support sex workers in improving their lives. Her leadership was essential in improving the working conditions and rights for those employed in the sex trade.
Ms. Paterson was recognized at the DKG symposium held in April 2010. She was also feted at a special DKG Chapter meeting held in Saanich where local women educators applauded her efforts in improving the lives of women, children and families in the Greater Victoria region.
2009 ~ Lennor Stieda
Delta Kappa Gamma British Columbia has selected Lennor Stieda as the 2009 provincial recipient of its Woman of Wisdom and Passion Award. The award honours an individual whose outstanding leadership and achievements exemplify wisdom and passion. Delta Kappa Gamma International is a professional organization whose primary purpose is the advancement and support of female educators and education of children world-wide.
One of Lennor’s passions is the village of Tlamacazapa,Mexico, an indigenous village with a history of poverty, inadequate water supply and sanitation and illiteracy. Lennor worked with local schools and with the Saanich chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma to raise funds for health and sanitation resources for the village. Her outreach continued with other Delta Kappa Gamma chapters in British Columbia and across Canada. Through her efforts, Lennor stimulated interest and subsequently funding from British Columbia women educators and, since 2009, Canadian women educators who are members of Delta Kappa Gamma International. The funding helped support young indigenous Mexican women to become educators of unschooled children who otherwise could not attend school because of poverty.
Lennor is a retired teacher who has left large footprints in the communities where she and her husband Roland lived and taught. In addition to a rich history of education that started in Canim Lake, British Columbia and ended in Wirral, England, Lennor is a published writer and active volunteer. She writes monthly letters for Results Canada, a volunteer organization committed to help eradicate child poverty and death.
Lennor is on the children’s garden committee and does educational tours at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (Glendale Gardens) and is a member of the art gallery volunteers. Lennor sings with the Teachers Choir and also with a small musical group that entertains at Senior Residences. Lennor and her husband Roland have three children and five grandchildren. Her mother still resides in the family home in Oliver, BC.
Lennor considers service a privilege. One of her favourite quotes from Canadian author Carol Shields is: “No wonder I feel fortunate to be a humble leaf on my family tree. The tree thrives, its energy flows into the world making its offerings and inventions."
Delta Kappa Gamma British Columbia has selected Lennor Stieda as the 2009 provincial recipient of its Woman of Wisdom and Passion Award. The award honours an individual whose outstanding leadership and achievements exemplify wisdom and passion. Delta Kappa Gamma International is a professional organization whose primary purpose is the advancement and support of female educators and education of children world-wide.
One of Lennor’s passions is the village of Tlamacazapa,Mexico, an indigenous village with a history of poverty, inadequate water supply and sanitation and illiteracy. Lennor worked with local schools and with the Saanich chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma to raise funds for health and sanitation resources for the village. Her outreach continued with other Delta Kappa Gamma chapters in British Columbia and across Canada. Through her efforts, Lennor stimulated interest and subsequently funding from British Columbia women educators and, since 2009, Canadian women educators who are members of Delta Kappa Gamma International. The funding helped support young indigenous Mexican women to become educators of unschooled children who otherwise could not attend school because of poverty.
Lennor is a retired teacher who has left large footprints in the communities where she and her husband Roland lived and taught. In addition to a rich history of education that started in Canim Lake, British Columbia and ended in Wirral, England, Lennor is a published writer and active volunteer. She writes monthly letters for Results Canada, a volunteer organization committed to help eradicate child poverty and death.
Lennor is on the children’s garden committee and does educational tours at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (Glendale Gardens) and is a member of the art gallery volunteers. Lennor sings with the Teachers Choir and also with a small musical group that entertains at Senior Residences. Lennor and her husband Roland have three children and five grandchildren. Her mother still resides in the family home in Oliver, BC.
Lennor considers service a privilege. One of her favourite quotes from Canadian author Carol Shields is: “No wonder I feel fortunate to be a humble leaf on my family tree. The tree thrives, its energy flows into the world making its offerings and inventions."
2008 ~ Lorrie Williams
Delta Kappa Gamma British Columbia is pleased to announce the selection of Lorrie Williams as the 2008 Provincial recipient of the Woman of Wisdom and Passion award. This award honours an individual whose outstanding leadership and achievements exemplify wisdom and passion.
Lorrie Williams has served as a New Westminster City Councillor since 2008. She is also a marriage Commissioner, past director of the Royal City Humane Society, President of the New Westminster Retired Teachers, President of the New Westminster Symphony auxiliary, first female president of the New Westminster Kiwanis Club and a member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She was a teacher in New Westminster until her retirement in 1998. She holds a Master’s Degree in Administration and has also taught at UBC and was an Associate at Simon Fraser University. She also taught in Ethiopia, Thailand and Kenya. In recognition of her excellence in teaching, she was given the BC School Superintendents’ Award of Merit in 1998.
Ms. Williams was the founder of the Canadian Harambee Education Society (CHES), which sponsors high school girls in East Africa. The Society has helped hundreds of girls graduate from high school and is presently sponsoring more than 400 students. For this, she received a nomination for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award and was Avon’s “Woman of Inspiration 2000”. In 2005 she received the Governor General’s
Meritorious Service Medal.
She was recognized at the Delta Kappa Gamma Provincial Leadership Symposium held on April 19, 2008 at New Westminster Secondary School.
Delta Kappa Gamma British Columbia is pleased to announce the selection of Lorrie Williams as the 2008 Provincial recipient of the Woman of Wisdom and Passion award. This award honours an individual whose outstanding leadership and achievements exemplify wisdom and passion.
Lorrie Williams has served as a New Westminster City Councillor since 2008. She is also a marriage Commissioner, past director of the Royal City Humane Society, President of the New Westminster Retired Teachers, President of the New Westminster Symphony auxiliary, first female president of the New Westminster Kiwanis Club and a member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She was a teacher in New Westminster until her retirement in 1998. She holds a Master’s Degree in Administration and has also taught at UBC and was an Associate at Simon Fraser University. She also taught in Ethiopia, Thailand and Kenya. In recognition of her excellence in teaching, she was given the BC School Superintendents’ Award of Merit in 1998.
Ms. Williams was the founder of the Canadian Harambee Education Society (CHES), which sponsors high school girls in East Africa. The Society has helped hundreds of girls graduate from high school and is presently sponsoring more than 400 students. For this, she received a nomination for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award and was Avon’s “Woman of Inspiration 2000”. In 2005 she received the Governor General’s
Meritorious Service Medal.
She was recognized at the Delta Kappa Gamma Provincial Leadership Symposium held on April 19, 2008 at New Westminster Secondary School.
2020 Sharon Davis and Sylvia Olsen
Sylvia Olsen is a married-in member of the Tsartlip First Nation in Brentwood Bay, on the Saanich Peninsula, on Vancouver Island. She has lived in Tsartlip for 35 years. Sylvia became passionate about the First Nations on-reserve housing conditions. In the mid 1990s she worked as a Housing Manager there trying to develop a sensible, equitable and effective housing delivery system. Sylvia worked for First Nations across the country developing housing policies and plans. She realized that the ongoing housing crisis was designed and perpetuated by the federal government.
Over the years, Sylvia has worked on national and provincial on-reserve housing committees advocating for systematic change:
~ The National Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs Committee on Housing and Infrastructure
~ The BC Aboriginal Housing Committee,
~ The First Nations’ National Housing Managers’ Association,
~ The BC FNs Housing and infrastructure Council (currently).
In 2000 Sylvia returned to university and did a doctoral degree focused on the history of federal government housing programs on reserves in Canada. Her PhD dissertation, “Making Poverty: A History of On-reserve Housing Programs, 1930 -
1996” is powerful, being the first thorough examination of how Canada created such a disastrous situation on reserves. Sylvia has also worked with Vancouver Island University to develop a First Nations Housing Management Certificate Program. Since 2015 Sylvia has been delivering the on-line course to students across the country, the first in Canada.
Her passion and support of the Housing Managers is making a difference. While government and First Nations’ leadership are working on improving the housing system itself, this professional cadre of educated housing managers are changing on–reserve housing on the front line. One of Sylvia’s students in Nova Scotia writes, “I have come to enjoy this course even though it has been challenging. I am learning so much. I have started networking with my neighbouring community housing departments. We are partnering up to develop a housing committee. Since taking the course, I have built up my confidence and am able to share my knowledge. Thank you for that.”
Key Reasons We Support Sylvia
Lennor met Sylvia at a speakers’ event on the Saanich Peninsula and asked her if she could come and speak to the South Vancouver Island DKG chapter in the fall of 2015. Sylvia came, and had our members and guests mesmerized with her passion to help the First Nations across our country. Sylvia also told us about the Cowichan Sweaters. At age sixteen she was immersed in her family’s knitting tradition and marketed them from her home until interest faded around the world. Her master’s thesis became Coast Salish Knitters, which also became a National Film Board documentary. Sylvia has written many books for young and older children as well as histories and essays. Sylvia is definitely a worthy Woman of Passion and Wisdom.
When Sylvia read what we are presenting she was thankful and replied, “Thank you so much. I believe that by telling the knitters’ story I have helped the public appreciate a story that was not understood, but I don’t think that is as clearly educational or life changing as the Housing Managers. Thank you for this opportunity. While reading your piece I realize that, in fact, the VIU course is a very big deal. I am going to Toronto to do a presentation on it and it truly has changed lives and changed housing for many people…that’s a big thing. I was the one who made it happen, but I had an amazing woman at the Vancouver Island University who was also committed and helped me … so the university was very supportive. It took a lot of effort.”
Lennor Stieda and Cathy Harrower, nominators.
Sharon Davis is the founder and currently a co-chair of the Vancouver Chapter of Room to Read since 2006. This is a voluntary position. She leads a team of volunteers to create awareness and raise funds. She is a member of The Global Literacy Organization that has impacted the lives of over 18 million children in the developing world. It focuses on Literacy and Gender Equality. Sharon is involved in fundraising, Business Development, Donor Development, Sponsorships, Digital Marketing, Leadership Training, and Community Partnerships. She has helped raise $4.5 million over 13 years.
Previous relevant community involvement
- Volunteer Board Member of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum 2004-2006.
- Organizing committee for the annual induction ceremony and gala (1000+ attendees).
- Co-created an online education program (Here In You) to help inspire children to strive to be their best at whatever they chose to be.
- Core of the Program involved working with the inducted Olympic athletes to share their stories to inspire youth.
- ONE TO ONE Literacy - Co-founding Member and program volunteer 2002- 2004. The is a children's literacy program that provides one-to-one tutoring to children in elementary schools during regular school hours. (Vancouver) Volunteered in the program before transitioning it with a team to its own self-sustaining non-profit.
- Big Brother's In-School Mentoring Program 2004 – 2006. Mentored students (one on one) in the school setting.
- Volunteer Board Member Indian Summer Festival (Vancouver) 2010 – 2013. Multifaceted festival bringing India culture to the masses. (literature, food, dance, politics, film, art)
- Co-founder and Volunteer of the Capacity Conference 2018. She collaborated with a small team to create an event for small to medium non-profits and charities to assist them with elevating their organizations and staying current to changes in their sector. Topics covered were collaboration, facilitation, leadership, event organizing.
The key reasons we are supporting this nomination.
I first met Sharon when I was a literacy consultant at the Vancouver School Board. She and another Room to Read volunteer met with the other literacy consultant and myself and explained the work of Room to Read to see if there was a possibility of working together. We were impressed with the vision and the materials that we saw. Room to Read is an amazing organization, initially building libraries, now focusing on primary education, and supporting girls’ secondary education all over the world. See the website at https://www.roomtoread.org.
When we met with Sharon and her colleague, we were particularly impressed with samples of the books that they had commissioned authors and illustrators to write, and who lived in the countries where they are used. The books were written in both English as well as the country’s first language. This was such a better idea it seemed than shipping books written in North America to these countries.
A businesswoman so committed to literacy really impressed and amazed me. One of my friends with a doctorate in reading was a bit skeptical about the organization until she saw a Room to Read library in Nepal and how well it was set up and used.
I have known Sharon for more than ten years and have been to many excellent Room to Read events since then. When I was teaching seventh grade, she visited my class and inspired them to fundraise for Room to Read. After seeing the incredible work of Room to Read, rather than a gift when I retired, I chose to have as my retirement gift, money donated to Room to Read and our school library.
One of the things that has impressed me most about Sharon, in addition to her passionate support of literacy, is how she has inspired and mentored young businesswomen to take leadership in the local organization. It has been great meeting some of these young women and seeing their passion at work.
Due to her work with businesses in Vancouver with Room to Read, she was asked to help a business get their more employees involved in philanthropy. This led to a new business for Sharon called Giving Well. https://givingwell.ca/
I can’t think of a better candidate for this award as Sharon is definitely a woman of wisdom and passion.
Meredyth Kezar, nominator.
Sylvia Olsen is a married-in member of the Tsartlip First Nation in Brentwood Bay, on the Saanich Peninsula, on Vancouver Island. She has lived in Tsartlip for 35 years. Sylvia became passionate about the First Nations on-reserve housing conditions. In the mid 1990s she worked as a Housing Manager there trying to develop a sensible, equitable and effective housing delivery system. Sylvia worked for First Nations across the country developing housing policies and plans. She realized that the ongoing housing crisis was designed and perpetuated by the federal government.
Over the years, Sylvia has worked on national and provincial on-reserve housing committees advocating for systematic change:
~ The National Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs Committee on Housing and Infrastructure
~ The BC Aboriginal Housing Committee,
~ The First Nations’ National Housing Managers’ Association,
~ The BC FNs Housing and infrastructure Council (currently).
In 2000 Sylvia returned to university and did a doctoral degree focused on the history of federal government housing programs on reserves in Canada. Her PhD dissertation, “Making Poverty: A History of On-reserve Housing Programs, 1930 -
1996” is powerful, being the first thorough examination of how Canada created such a disastrous situation on reserves. Sylvia has also worked with Vancouver Island University to develop a First Nations Housing Management Certificate Program. Since 2015 Sylvia has been delivering the on-line course to students across the country, the first in Canada.
Her passion and support of the Housing Managers is making a difference. While government and First Nations’ leadership are working on improving the housing system itself, this professional cadre of educated housing managers are changing on–reserve housing on the front line. One of Sylvia’s students in Nova Scotia writes, “I have come to enjoy this course even though it has been challenging. I am learning so much. I have started networking with my neighbouring community housing departments. We are partnering up to develop a housing committee. Since taking the course, I have built up my confidence and am able to share my knowledge. Thank you for that.”
Key Reasons We Support Sylvia
Lennor met Sylvia at a speakers’ event on the Saanich Peninsula and asked her if she could come and speak to the South Vancouver Island DKG chapter in the fall of 2015. Sylvia came, and had our members and guests mesmerized with her passion to help the First Nations across our country. Sylvia also told us about the Cowichan Sweaters. At age sixteen she was immersed in her family’s knitting tradition and marketed them from her home until interest faded around the world. Her master’s thesis became Coast Salish Knitters, which also became a National Film Board documentary. Sylvia has written many books for young and older children as well as histories and essays. Sylvia is definitely a worthy Woman of Passion and Wisdom.
When Sylvia read what we are presenting she was thankful and replied, “Thank you so much. I believe that by telling the knitters’ story I have helped the public appreciate a story that was not understood, but I don’t think that is as clearly educational or life changing as the Housing Managers. Thank you for this opportunity. While reading your piece I realize that, in fact, the VIU course is a very big deal. I am going to Toronto to do a presentation on it and it truly has changed lives and changed housing for many people…that’s a big thing. I was the one who made it happen, but I had an amazing woman at the Vancouver Island University who was also committed and helped me … so the university was very supportive. It took a lot of effort.”
Lennor Stieda and Cathy Harrower, nominators.
Sharon Davis is the founder and currently a co-chair of the Vancouver Chapter of Room to Read since 2006. This is a voluntary position. She leads a team of volunteers to create awareness and raise funds. She is a member of The Global Literacy Organization that has impacted the lives of over 18 million children in the developing world. It focuses on Literacy and Gender Equality. Sharon is involved in fundraising, Business Development, Donor Development, Sponsorships, Digital Marketing, Leadership Training, and Community Partnerships. She has helped raise $4.5 million over 13 years.
Previous relevant community involvement
- Volunteer Board Member of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum 2004-2006.
- Organizing committee for the annual induction ceremony and gala (1000+ attendees).
- Co-created an online education program (Here In You) to help inspire children to strive to be their best at whatever they chose to be.
- Core of the Program involved working with the inducted Olympic athletes to share their stories to inspire youth.
- ONE TO ONE Literacy - Co-founding Member and program volunteer 2002- 2004. The is a children's literacy program that provides one-to-one tutoring to children in elementary schools during regular school hours. (Vancouver) Volunteered in the program before transitioning it with a team to its own self-sustaining non-profit.
- Big Brother's In-School Mentoring Program 2004 – 2006. Mentored students (one on one) in the school setting.
- Volunteer Board Member Indian Summer Festival (Vancouver) 2010 – 2013. Multifaceted festival bringing India culture to the masses. (literature, food, dance, politics, film, art)
- Co-founder and Volunteer of the Capacity Conference 2018. She collaborated with a small team to create an event for small to medium non-profits and charities to assist them with elevating their organizations and staying current to changes in their sector. Topics covered were collaboration, facilitation, leadership, event organizing.
The key reasons we are supporting this nomination.
I first met Sharon when I was a literacy consultant at the Vancouver School Board. She and another Room to Read volunteer met with the other literacy consultant and myself and explained the work of Room to Read to see if there was a possibility of working together. We were impressed with the vision and the materials that we saw. Room to Read is an amazing organization, initially building libraries, now focusing on primary education, and supporting girls’ secondary education all over the world. See the website at https://www.roomtoread.org.
When we met with Sharon and her colleague, we were particularly impressed with samples of the books that they had commissioned authors and illustrators to write, and who lived in the countries where they are used. The books were written in both English as well as the country’s first language. This was such a better idea it seemed than shipping books written in North America to these countries.
A businesswoman so committed to literacy really impressed and amazed me. One of my friends with a doctorate in reading was a bit skeptical about the organization until she saw a Room to Read library in Nepal and how well it was set up and used.
I have known Sharon for more than ten years and have been to many excellent Room to Read events since then. When I was teaching seventh grade, she visited my class and inspired them to fundraise for Room to Read. After seeing the incredible work of Room to Read, rather than a gift when I retired, I chose to have as my retirement gift, money donated to Room to Read and our school library.
One of the things that has impressed me most about Sharon, in addition to her passionate support of literacy, is how she has inspired and mentored young businesswomen to take leadership in the local organization. It has been great meeting some of these young women and seeing their passion at work.
Due to her work with businesses in Vancouver with Room to Read, she was asked to help a business get their more employees involved in philanthropy. This led to a new business for Sharon called Giving Well. https://givingwell.ca/
I can’t think of a better candidate for this award as Sharon is definitely a woman of wisdom and passion.
Meredyth Kezar, nominator.
This page was created October 6, 2013; updated after each presentation; November 11, 2020; May 4, 2023.