Women at their best helping other women achieve their best!
Judi Partridge, member to SI-DAF, has registered to run for Flamborough Ward 15 Councillor. We know her best as a founding member to establish the new Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre (FWRC); providing counselling and legal services to help teens and women of all ages including those in the urban and rural areas of Flamborough who are dealing with family crisis.
January 22 2010 under SI-DAF Members
Pauline was born in London, England and moved to Canada in 2002 with her husband David who is an engineer. They have two children who both live and work locally. Her favourite pastime is eating chocolate. Her biggest fear is flying – she would rather spend three days on a bus or train to get to her destination just to avoid leaving the ground.
Pauline works part time for State Farm Insurance as a licensed representative and she also runs her own business Pauline’s Fine Art. Her artwork is a collection of inspirations, mainly abstract, using all mediums: acrylic, ink, pastels and watercolour. Her work is sold primarily on-line through her website: www.paulinesfineart.com.
Yes there is an Inukshuk in this abstract piece - you just have to study the canvas and I am sure you will find him. Turquoise is the main colour in this piece of acrylic artwork (24x24) which I feel captures the essence of the frozen north.
Pauline is currently an SIDAF Board member, she also sits on the Programs committee and the Awards committee. In addition Pauline is a member of The Ancaster Lions.
This piece of acrylic artwork (20x24) was donated to the Soroptimist's as a raffle prize for their "I Love to Rock & Roll" evening. It was a great event and raised a good profit. The subject was inspired by the event.
Since joining Soroptimist Pauline has gained the friendship and support of an amazing group of women whose combined mission is to help improve the lives of women and girls both locally and worldwide, and she feels privileged to be part of that organization.
Pauline’s favourite quote: “have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it” - Salvador Dali
Going
Going
Gone ... now proudly owned by fellow SI-DAF member, Brooke
May 2 2009 under Member Bios
Shirley has been a member since January 2005, served as Secretary and now is Vice President.
Shirley has been married to her husband Ted for 34 years and has 4 daughters, yes 4 daughters. Her girls are currently 25, 23, 20, and 18 … busy household. She stayed at home as a mom for 17 years, then joined “Curves” and from there “as they say” the rest is history. She opened 7 of her own Curves in Hamilton, Dundas, Mississauga and even Tennessee. Talk about a career change!
Over the years Shirley has enjoyed being a Girl Guide Leader for 7 years while the girls moved their way up through the program, hoping to show them the value of volunteering. Always loving working with young girls and adults, working at and owning Curves just seemed to fit. Mentoring and helping women achieve their goals. Much like being a Soroptimist, helping women and young adults better themselves.
Travelling with the family is a great pastime, especially those yearly trips with her husband, finding a nice warm beach to sit on, getting away and regrouping. Shirley also enjoys their 40 foot motor home for Nascar races.
Shirley has been very fortunate, now that Curves is successful and doing well on it’s own with good managers, she has time to give back. Helping women feel good about themselves can move mountains, improve self esteem, hand in hand we move forward.
Why she joined SI-DAF “Helping other women achieve their best and knowing you made a difference. The friends you make along the way make it all worth the time spent.”
April 12 2009 under Member Bios, SI-DAF Members
Over 50 million pounds of food has been distributed in the past 5 years. Help us keep up the tradition by dropping off non-perishable food items to any Curves location between March 2 - 21. To find a Curves near you go to www.curves.com
Food Drive March 2 to 21
March 2 2009 under SI-DAF Members
I have been a proud member of Soroptimist for the past twenty years. Never in my wildest dreams did I even think that joining this club would give me so much personal growth, friendship, leadership development and satisfaction in helping other women and girls in our local communities and throughout the world. It’s such a wonderful feeling to help others less fortunate than yourself. It makes me feel very humble to know how much the work we have accomplished over the past twenty years and the difference it has truly made in so many lives.
At the club and region level, I was chair for the Women’s Opportunity and Violet Richardson award programs. It was very emotional to read the applications and their stories of hardship and the many barriers they have had face. Receiving the WOA award is an opportunity to make such a big difference in their lives. I have always said, “It is not a hand out, but a hand up“. I have also met the winners at the federation level and to hear their stories is an inspiration to women all over the world.
I have had the opportunity to travel to attend conferences and conventions and have made friends from literally all over the world. I attended my first Soroptimist International convention in Scotland which was an experience of a live time. I was able to renew old friendships and make new ones. It was an awesome experience. The highlight of the convention was the attendance of Princess Anne and to hear her speak of the great work she does in Britain to help the less fortunate children was very inspiring. I stayed in a bed and breakfast for two weeks in Glasgow and had a chance to see many historic and exciting places while I was there.
My latest convention in Taipei, Taiwan was an experience I will cherish forever. I stayed for one week and then travelled to Hong Kong for another week. What an adventure! And of course the shopping was great. For the members that know me I have another passion … shopping! I have always enjoyed fashion and admit I do enjoy the latest in fashion. Over the years I have been able to shop at various places around the world when I am attending conventions!
I have been very fortunate in my life, especially growing up in a loving and caring family. I have been married to my best friend and soul mate, Doug, for the past 38 years. We are proud of our four children, JD (33) who is a doctor and resides in Arizona, Chris (32) who does computer work and lives at home, AJ (or Andrew, 27) co owns Golden Gate Equestrian Farm, and Jenna Dee (22) is completing her second year of her two year program at the School of Shiatsu and Chinese Medicine in Toronto and is busy planning her wedding that is taking place in May, 2009. We are very excited about Jenna getting married and have been very busy planning to make this a very special day.
My family is my greatest accomplishment. I am not afraid to say that Doug and I still enjoy our “dates” together and love to travel. We are business partners in the Village Treehouse Childcare which we started in l981 here in Ancaster. Our favourite place is Las Vegas, but not to gamble - it’s the people watching, shopping, local attractions, Las Vegas shows and of course the magic shows! Doug is a professional magician and is actively involved in the IBM (International Brotherhood of Magicians) and local magic club. We often attend Magic conventions together.
I must say that they have always supported me and encouraged me in my Soroptimist journey. Whatever position I held at the club level and region level my family never complained and my husband and children were always there to help with anything I needed. When I was nominated to be Governor of Eastern Canada Region (ECR) I knew that it would involve a great deal of time and commitment (board meetings, planning fall meetings, organizing spring conference to mention a few duties) and my husband Doug was very supportive and understanding. He never once complained or suggested I was spending too much time doing Soroptimist work. He was there for me when I was inducted as ECR governor and I know I could not have done it without his love and support.
The members in our club are a super group of women. I highly respect all the various skills and talents they so generously share with each other and our organization. I have a passion for our organization and think of myself of an ambassador or cheerleader for others to be inspired to be the best they can be. I have always enjoyed working as a team and feel my leadership stressed the importance of having “fun” while doing our work. When I was governor I used the words, “What happens at Conference, stays at conference” and that saying has continued since!
I have grown up in the field of Early Childhood education as my mother operated one of the first child care programs in Hamilton since 1962. Attending high school from 1964 - 1968, I worked each day after school at the child care and during the summers. I attended Mohawk College from l968 - 1970 to receive my diploma in Early Childhood Education. I have been the supervisor/director at Lucky Day Nursery for the past 39 years and director of the Village Treehouse Childcare for the past 28 years. I am actively involved in the daily operation of both programs, as well as the field of early learning and care through the Association of Early Childhood Educators. Over the past 40 years I have continued my love of learning by presenting and attending many workshops and seminars. I am very excited to be teaching Early Childhood Education at Mohawk College part time. I am an area network leader for the supervisor’s network in Hamilton and sit on the Best Start Network. I was proud to receive the Award of Distinction for the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario two times. I also received the Employer of the Year for 2006 from the Hamilton Board of Education.
Professional Memberships:
I joined Soroptimist to give back to the community that I have received so much from. It gives me an opportunity to help less fortunate women who, for no fault of their own, have had many barriers in their life. It gives me a chance to improve the lives of women and girls in our local community and throughout the world. Through my role as the Governor of Eastern Canada Region I had the opportunity to represent the region and learn so much more about the magnitude of what our organization does worldwide. We all must not just think “locally, but also globally”!
I have had the amazing opportunity to meet leaders of our organization from all four federations in Soroptimist International of the Americas. At the convention in Philadelphia I had the privilege of sitting with all four federation presidents and hearing their views on where our organization is going. I have learned that no matter what position a Soroptimist holds, we all have the same common goals and mission.
I enjoy the many friendships I have made over the years and the love and support the women in our club show to each other. We have a great deal of fun when we do our fundraising projects or our hands on projects. It gives us a chance to share our time and talents to the betterment of others. Being part of this group of successful and positive women is refreshing and a learning experience. We network and help each other to bring out the best for others! Our meetings are informative and allow all members to voice their opinions and ideas. We are like minded women and strive to help make a difference in the lives of women and girls and to help them fulfill their dreams and make this a better world.
I am looking forward to my new position on the SIA federation board and am honoured to represent Eastern Canada Region. I have been blessed with many special mentors along the way who have encouraged, supported and helped me in my Soroptimist journey. We have engaged in laughter, tears, conversation and support! Being a member of Soroptimist you have so much to gain. It is the best gift a women can give herself…..the gift of membership!
March 1 2009 under Member Bios
Jane is a Registered Dietitian of J. Oulton & Associates, providing Nutrition Consulting Services for Long Term Care facilities. She is also president of Diet Kontrol Inc., a company specializing in software for dietary departments in Long Term Care.
Jane grew up and went to school in Vancouver. She moved to Ontario in 1979 to complete a dietetic internship at North York General Hospital. Following that, she settled in Ancaster and raised her family. The children are grown and now off on their own adventures (the dog and turtle gone too). With her husband as a business partner, Jane is focusing on growing her business, but both take time to enjoy skiing, golfing, travel and time with family and friends. And of course, being a dietitian, all activities must involve food.
Jane at the Grand Canyon
Jane joined Soroptimist as a charter member of the Dundas Ancaster club in 1987 (now Dundas Ancaster Flamborough). One day while walking with her daughter in a stoller on the main street in Ancaster, the owner of one of the shops approached her about Soroptimist. Eager to meet new friends and do some volunteer work in the community she signed up. Since then, Jane has held several positions including club President, Secretary, Treasurer as well as Secretary on the Eastern Canada Region Board.
“I have made some very special friends in Soroptimist and had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, helping women and girls achieve their goals and dreams. Working together on fundraising and disbursement of monies to worthwhile projects and causes with a group of fun, hardworking and successful women is one of the things I like best. Our meetings and conventions always include food, fun, laughter and friendship.”
February 14 2009 under Member Bios, SI-DAF Members
When Weeks of Waterdown gave the WHEEL OF CASH a big spin, many local community charities came up winners! A total of $4,125.00 was handed out to local groups as a result of various charitable fund raisers held by the long time Chamber member.
Drummond House, CHOICES, Interval House and Animal Adoptions of Flamborough all received $500.00 each: money from sales the of seasonal earrings, Zilch games & bookmarks; the Flamborough Food Bank $620.00 via proceeds from the Annual Staff Christmas party and the United Way $1,505.00 via the “Christmas Tree of Giving” promotion.
Wheel of Cash at Weeks of Waterdown
Pictured from the top centre is Hal Bushey of CHOICES (are you OK hanging upside down Hal?), Mary Lamb of AAF, Gail Bosma of Flamborough Food Bank, Debra Tigchelaar of Drummond House with Sandy Gray of Weeks, Darrel Skidmore of the United Way, and Clare Freeman of Interval House.
This article was provided courtesy of the Bottom Line, which was published in January 2009 (Volume 5, Issue 11) by the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce.
Holdin the bag - 2007 Christmas giveway from Weeks of Waterdown
February 8 2009 under SI-DAF Members
Hamilton was selected by GE Healthcare to be the first site in the world to receive new prototype technologies for use in a molecular breast imaging research program. Hamilton researchers will design and lead clinical trials to evaluate new technologies which use molecular imaging probes that target breast cancer. This cutting-edge strategy has the potential to find very small tumours, leading to early intervention. Trials will be geared towards high-risk women who are not currently well served by mammography.
GE Healthcare chose Hamilton because of the combined strengths of the collaborative partnership among the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization, and the Oncology and Nuclear Medicine programs at McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences.
Quick Facts:
One promising technique is molecular breast imaging, an experimental approach to cancer detection that has the potential to identify very small tumours and also to reduce the number of false positive results [reference]. It is geared toward high-risk women with dense breasts, who are not well served by mammography.
The GE technologies are expected to be located at Hamilton’s Henderson General Hospital with the research and development work carried out by McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences. Through careful evaluation in clinical trials, researchers will determine the full potential of the molecular breast imaging strategy.
All clinical studies will be submitted to Health Canada and the hospital’s research ethics board for review. Technologies will be delivered and studies will start only after approvals from both Health Canada and the hospital’s Ethics Board have been received. For more information, visit: www.imagingprobes.ca/breast-imaging
Our club secretary and chair of PR, Brooke Gordon, is the Commercialization Officer at the Centre for Probe Development & Commercialization, Hamilton, ON. Her role is in business development where she seeks to identify and capitalize on new markets and commercialization opportunities in the field of Molecular Imaging.
January 23 2009 under SI-DAF Members
Curves Foster Child
We at each Curves location adopted a foster child. We sent her a package for Christmas and they sent us this lovely picture of her with her gifts. It came just after the holidays with a letter that said she is doing well.
Our family has had a foster child for years and we have never been given such a personal picture before (only the yearly updated photograph). It was nice to receive this picture and see that we make a difference and enjoy a smile on this childs face, just thought I’d send it brighten your day. Just wanted to share the joy (and her cute picture)!
Have a great day!
Shirley E
January 7 2009 under SI-DAF Members
Soroptimist member, Shirley Eden, has helped organize a toy drive with Curves and City Kidz in Hamilton. They need unwrapped toys or a donation of $10. View the flyer »
Drop off locations are at Curves between Dec 1-17.
Visit Curves today (click on the location to view a map):
1070 Stonechurch Rd in Hamilton
505 Rymal Rd in Hamilton
369 Highway 8 in Stoney Creek
115 Hamilton St in Waterdown
November 30 2008 under SI-DAF Members
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