Audrey Ferguson of Kincardine one of 160 Remarkable Women of Bruce County

Audrey Ferguson (above), 90, of Kincardine was honoured, along with about 160 ladies, at the Remarkable Assembly of Bruce County Women, held Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Underwood Community Centre.

Hosted by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie, the event drew about 250 people for the awards and presentations.
 

The event was inspired by the 150th anniversary celebrations for Canada and Ontario, as well as the 100th anniversary of women achieving the right to vote in Ontario, and recognized a wide range of women, including community champions, writers, entrepreneurs, Olympic Medalists, athletes, artists, teachers, advocates and volunteers.
 

"Bruce County is home to amazing women, who have all worked to make the world around them a better place," said Thompson. "They are leaders, who continue to move the marker ahead for the next generation of women and girls, and I can't thank them enough for all they do. They are inspiring, and we stand on their shoulders as we strive to sustain our rural communities."

Among those honoured, were two-time Olympic Medalist (rowing) Laryssa Biesenthal of Walkerton, World Medalist in Special Olymipcs (figure skating) Rosie Laidler of Kincardine, former MPP Barb Fisher of Kincardine, and president of Women in Nuclear (WiN) Heather Kleb.

 

"The evening was about celebrating the helpers, the leaders, the innovators and the go-getters," said Thompson. "These women work selflessly for all those around them, and for that, we are grateful."

Biesenthal was guest speaker and congratulated all the recipients of the remarkable women award. She grew up in Walkerton and at the age of nine, knew she was going to go to the Olympics.

"The only sport I could do was the skeleton and I practised on the hill at our farm. You had to be a real daredevil. I never thought I would not achieve that dream."

She attended the University of British Columbia and took up rowing, and with a lot of persistence and tenacity, she fulfilled her dream, with five world championships and two Olympic medals in rowing.

"Keep that fire in you and choose what you're going to do and how you're going to do it.," she said. "Whether you make it or not, you're a winner."

The following women were recognized:

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
 

• Cheryl Cottrill of Kincardine
• Shari Farrell of Kincardine
• Karen Ribey of Bruce Township
• Katherine Gowing of Tiverton
• Debbie Schenk of Teeswater
• Tracey Knapp
• Krista Holtby of Kincardine
• Michelle Eccles
• Terry-Ann Smith of Kincardine
• Sue Skillen of Ripley
• Kat Cammidge-Irwin
• Brenda Meyer
• Jean Schiestel of Teeswater
• Kaylan Hicks of Lucknow
• Sarah Murray
• Sharon Nivins of Lucknow
• Carolyn Hodgins
• Gail Fullerton (entrepreneur)
• Fran Farrell of Ripley
• Lorraine Riley of Teeswater
• Leanne Gowing of Tiverton
• Anne Marie Gomes of Tiverton
• Wendy McKague of Teeswater
• Doreen McGlynn of Teeswater
• Brenda Girvan of Teeswater
• Brenda Wilton
• Michelle Wilhelm
• Nicole Wise
• Steph Fortney of Cargill
• Terry Moran
• Sylvia Sheard of Southampton
• Cathy Pennington of Kincardine
• Jean Culliton
• Vickie Cahill of Kincardine
• Jackie Clements of Kincardine
• Kathleen Dunn
• Sylvia Kirby of Kincardine
• Pauline Whelan
• Mary Wightman
• Eleanor Edwards of Southampton
• Lisa Reay
• Lori Harding of Kincardine
• Nancy Craig of Kincardine
• Joan Borho
• Barb Zettler
• Monica Zettel
• Ashly Lamont
• Michelle Lamont of Kincardine
• Jan Johnstone o fKincardine
• Agnes Bregman
• Amanda McClenaghan of Lucknow
• Mary Jane Bushell
• Dana Earley of Kincardine
• Wanda Inglis of Teeswater
• Kelly Dagelman of Kincardine
• Peggy Zeppieri of Kincardine
• Marlene Morrow of Kincardine
• Ruth Dorey of Kincardine
• Hollly Robinson of Kincardine
• Joan Eadie of Ripley
• Janice Hewitt of Kincardine
• Betty Jean White of Kincardine
• Barb Vandenbor
• Patti Lacey
• Rosie Laidler of Kincardine
• Joan Thompson
• Audrey Ferguson of Kincardine
• Ruth Price of Kincardine
• Jane Kramer of Southampton
• Denise Dejong

MUNICIPAL CHAMPIONS
 

• Anne Eadie of Kincardine
• Diane Huber of Southampton
• Cheryl Grace of Southampton
• Jacqueline Faubert of Kincardine
• Maureen Couture of Kincardine
• Linda McKee of Kincardine
• Laura Haight of Kincardine
• Lillian Abbott of Huron-Kinloss
• Kara Van Myall of Port Elgin
• Kelley Coulter of Bruce County
• Mary Rose Walden of Huron-Kinloss
• Jodi MacArthur of Huron-Kinloss
• Sharon Chambers of Kincardine
• Margie Bates of South Bruce
• Leanne Martin of South Bruce
• Deborah Roth of Brockton
• Kathleen Dunn
• Melissa Legacy

WRITERS, ARTISTS, AGRICULTURAL CHAMPIONS, HEALTH ADVOCATES, ENTREPRENEURS, ETC.
 

• Shirley Bieman of Kincardine
• Heather Frook
• Lindsay Dykeman of Kincardine
• Sadie Shewfelt of Kincardine
• Priya Kalra of Kincardine
• Heidi Allen of Kincardine
• Ivy Cruickshank of Kincardine
• Gladys Hodgins of Kincardine
• Sarah Murray
• Emily Pennington of Lucknow
• Madison Ritchie of Lucknow
• Jennelle Smeltzer of Ripley
• Erica Ruetz of Teeswater
• Katie Lamont of Teeswater
• Kady Rice of Tiverton
• Barb Fisher of Kincardine
• Alison Bradley
• Laryssa Biesenthal of Walkerton
• Jessica Stam
• Yolanda Cameron of Walkerton
• Donna Farrow
• Colleen Maguire of Ripley
• Shannon Logie
• Kendra Fisher
• Ruth Montgomery
• Susan Bross
• Liz Dadson of Kincardine
• Frances Learment of Port Elgin
• Barb McKay of Kincardine
• Kiera Merriam of Port Elgin
• Sandy Lindsay of Southampton
• Lea Anne Voison
• Rosanne McConnell of Kincardine
• Bailey McConnell of Kincardine
• Ashley McConnell of Kincardine
• Ashton Colvin of Teeswater
• Mae Smith
• Marie Mole
• Dr. Hazel Lynn of Owen Sound
• Karen Spragg
• Janey Campbell of Kincardine
• Tanya Leppington of Ripley
• Sarah Slater
• Melissa McEwen
• Carrie Girdler
• Luz Maria Alvarez-Wilson
• Mary Jane Bushell
• Devan Ballagh of Teeswater
• Paige Ballagh of Teeswater
• Nancy Berwick
• Ellen Schmalz
• Kassidy Gregg of Paisley
• Pamela Martin
• Jill  Kuntz
• Connie Barker
• Dona Swift
• Margaret Lamon
• Christine Pfeffer
• Cathy McGirr
• Christine John
• Catherine Dickson
• Heather Kleb
• Heather Convay
• Tracy Primeau
• Heather Kueneman
• Wanda Inglis
• Donna Smith of Port Elgin
• Helen Inglis
• Brittny Twolan
• Gloria Buckle
• Khushali Shah of Kincardine
• Jen Hunter of Kincardine
• Cathe McIntosh
• Maureen Schuler
• Janice Swanton
• Sally Kidson of Saugeen Shores
• Kristen Robinson
• Steph Carr of Port Elgin