Pat Christie was named as the Myrtle Evertt Woman of the Year last night (May 15) during a gala celebration at the Garden Park Tower in Abbotsford.
The event was hosted by the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Abbotsford.
Five women were nominated for the annual award, presented to a woman who makes a difference in the community as a role model for other women.
Christie is the coordinator of the Employment Mentors’ Program in Abbotsford Community Services’ multi-cultural and immigrant integration services department.
The evening program noted: She works with the business community to mentor new immigrants, helping them to maximize their opportunities for economic, social and political engagement.
Christie has opened many doors for women from all over the world who now call Abbotsford home.
Her confidence and commitment to equality are evident in her ability to take risks and try out new ideas. Christie has made an incredible impact on the lives of both newcomers and established members of the community.
An emotional Christie accepted the award, thanking her colleagues for all their support. She told the crowd that the award also honours the efforts of all of the people she has been able to help.
Other nominees recognized at the evening celebration were Wendy Martin-Stroyan, Wendy McClelland, Wendy Neufeld and Vicki Raw.
The annual Myrtle Evertt Woman of the Year Award and ceremony was established in 1994 to recognize and honour local women for achievement in business or in a profession.
The award was named in honour of the first recipient of the award, the late Myrtle Evertt, who passed away at the age 87 on March 5, 2006, leaving a legacy to inspire woman and men.
Evertt was a teacher and tireless community supporter. She also became a registered nurse in B.C. at the age of 76. Among her many accomplishments were the creation of the B.C. Society for Handicapped Children in the 1950s (now called the Variety Club of BC); she was the founder of the Lower Mainland Senior Citizens Housing Association; a director of the BC Lung Association and; along with her husband Ben, helped created the 30-acre Heritage Valley Resort in Abbotsford.
As part of the evening's agenda, daughter Deanna Evertt delivered a moving speech about Myrtle, recalling memorable events and details about her mom.