The Women Of Influence Awards reception took place today to celebrate International Women’s Day and recognize local women who have made a strong impact as leaders, innovators and change-makers in the community.

Three awards were presented: Young Woman of Influence, Trailblazing Woman of Influence and Distinguished Woman of Influence.

Jamie Tissington received a Young Women of Influence Award. From a young age Jamie has demonstrated her strength as a community leader through her volunteer work as Charter President of the Grande Prairie Interact Club, Positive Choices Project Co-Chair at the Grande Prairie Youth Emergency Shelter and as event organizer for her high school’s Darfur Genoice Awareness Open House, Rally and Torch Rally in 2008. Jamie is a notable change-maker, and continues to break down many barriers in her work including through her roles at Odyssey House, Pace and as the current Executive Director at Grande Prairie Grief Support Association.

Ejibola Adetokunbo-Taiwo was honoured with the Trailblazing Women of Influence Award. Ejibola is a symbol of success with her entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts, including as founder of the e-commerce platform Made by Africans and the community group W. E. Hustle in Heels which empowers entrepreneurial women and immigrant women in Grande Prairie. Ejibola also makes an impact working full-time as Co-ordinator for the Grande Prairie Regional Innovation Network.

Kelly Benning was the recipient of the Distinguished Women of Influence Award for her dedication as a change-maker in the region at the local, provincial and national level. Kelly is currently the Vice-President of the National Association of Friendship Centres, Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services and Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator at Grande Prairie Regional College. Her previous community experiences includes leadership roles in the Indigenous Women’s Circle from the Status of Women Canada and the Grande Prairie Collective of the Walking With Our Sisters memorial. 

“We are so pleased to celebrate these women today, and to recognize all of the notable and diverse women who were nominated for the awards. These awards are designed to recognize the leadership, innovation and strength of all of the diverse women we have in our community. As the event continues to grow we realize more and more how fortunate we are to have such amazing women leading across every sector in Grande Prairie,” says Community Social Development manager Angela Sutherland.

“We want to thank all of our community sponsors, nominators and attendees for continuing to make the Women of Influence Awards a growing success.”

The Women of Influence Awards occur annually on International Women’s Day brought to you by the City of Grande Prairie, Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta, Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, Odyssey House, PACE Centre and Curry’s Jewellers. More information is available at cityofgp.com/womenofinfluence.

Information provided by the City of Grande Prairie.