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Executive Council
January 17, 2013

Women of Newfoundland and Labrador Honoured at Ovations

This evening, the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, hosted Ovations: Applauding the Accomplishments of Women in Our Communities, with 700 people in attendance for the afternoon forum and 800 participating in the dinner event.

“I am delighted that so many women participated in this important event,” said Premier Dunderdale. “There is so much wisdom, knowledge, experience and inspiration among us. By coming together to celebrate all we’ve accomplished and finding common ground, we will move forward to a better, fairer, more just Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Ovations began with a forum, which featured remarks by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women; a keynote address by Zoë Yujnovich, President and CEO of IOC; and a panel of outstanding women leaders from all sectors of society. During the panel discussion, interactive technology was used to allow audience participation in the forum.

“Through e-polling technology, we are able to retrieve tangible results on what women think about leadership and what resources they need to advance into these roles,” said Minister Johnson. “These results will help inform our work moving forward so that we can continue to help more women be strong leaders.”

Along with Premier Dunderdale who gave the keynote address at the evening celebration, entertainment included Krystin Pellerin, from the television series Republic of Doyle as emcee, Ashelin, Bollywood Jig, Seraka, Jennie Williams, Tama Frost, Bernice Morgan, Cheryl Hickman, Anahareo Doelle, Amy House, Kelly Ann Evans, Dana Parsons and Janet Cull.

“The evening celebration was phenomenal,” said Linda Ross, President and CEO of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women and chair of the Ovations organizing committee. “Women from all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador came together for Ovations and were treated to a showcase of amazing talent, through videos, dedications and some of the best female artists this province has to offer.”

To conclude the evening, Premier Dunderdale announced the inaugural Ovations award, which she presented to Hilda Whelan. The award recognizes and honours the contributions of women in Newfoundland and Labrador who, when faced with injustice, fought with tenacity, courage and strength of character to overcome insurmountable odds and remove inequalities for women in society.

“Hilda is an inspiration to us all,” said Premier Dunderdale. “Her work exemplifies determination, perseverance and compassion. She worked relentlessly so that women in this province would not be denied their rights – for this she deserves an Ovation.”

Ms. Whelan is the recipient of the Premier’s first Ovations Award for demonstrating extraordinary leadership, fortitude and conviction in a fight that led to 58 widowed women gaining access to the pension benefits of their deceased husbands. The efforts of Ms. Whelan over 15 years, her persistence and her refusal to give up ended in 2006 with the Provincial Government announcing compensation of over $3 million for these women, who had previously been denied their deceased husbands’ pensions. They had been refused benefits for no other reason than their marital status and that their husbands had died before the 1985 equality of rights provisions had been enacted under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Inspiration for this award came from Mary Bundle, a character in Random Passage, Bernice Morgan’s epic story of survival in early Newfoundland and Labrador. The spirit of courageous women of strength and resiliency is aptly captured in Ms. Bundle’s struggle to make a life for herself and her family, her resourcefulness in the face of insurmountable odds, and her commitment to overcoming injustice.

For more information on the forum, including the question and answer interactive session, please visit www.OvationsNL.ca

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Media contacts:

Lynn Hammond
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
lynnhammond@gov.nl.ca
 
Debbie Marnell
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 697-3128
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca
Michelle Hunt
Director of Communications
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
709-729-5148, 725-1593
michellehunt@gov.nl.ca 
Linda Ross
President/CEO
Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women
709-753-7270
LindaRoss@pacsw.ca

2013 01 17                       10:30 p.m.

 
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