Shirley’s Bio

Posted on March 4, 2022November 20, 2022 by Theresa A

Name: Shirley McCoy

City: Ancaster, Ontario

Joined Soroptimist: July 1989

Reason For Joining: I joined our local Soroptimist club to give back to our community and to make a difference for women and girls in our local community and throughout the world. I appreciate being with like-minded women who assist other women with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. I am proud to be a part of a global voice for women. There are many opportunities for leadership development and professional growth. I have been an active member of Soroptimist for 33 years, and have served as club president, Governor of Eastern Canada region and the SIA board of directors.

Fun Fact: I love to travel, and as a Soroptimist member and SIA board member there were many opportunities to attend conferences and international conventions all around the world. I have been fortunate to meet many of our leaders and members in other countries. I enjoy meeting of with members and learning about their club activities and fundraising ideas. I have been so excited to have traveled to Tiawan, Scotland, Honolulu, Vancouver, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Calgary, Montreal, Orlando, and Anaheim.

Janet’s Bio

Posted on February 6, 2022February 6, 2022 by Allison

Name: Janet Barnard

City: Mount Pleasant, Brant, Ontario

Joined Soroptimist: Feb 2009

Reason for joining: I was invited to a meeting by a colleague, and was drawn into a group of welcoming women helping other women and girls. Enjoyed new friendships and liked the fact that we were all working towards making a difference in other women’s lives, most particularly in our community.

Fun Fact: I enjoy cooking, sewing, gardening, reading, traveling with our 5th wheel trailer. Semi retired as a bookkeeper and often when we are traveling can continue from wherever we are. I can remember camping in Desert Hot Springs California, while working away I could look out one window to see palm trees and other window mountains, great memories.

Brooke’s Bio

Posted on February 6, 2022February 6, 2022 by Allison

Name: Brooke Gordon

City: Waterdown, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec

Joined Soroptimist: January 2007

Reason for joining: One of my friends invited me to a meeting and I really enjoyed getting to know other women who were passionate about gender equality and making a change. I was honoured to attend the UN NY Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) with a Soroptimist delegation on Violence Against Women and Girls. I am glad to have a local venue to continue that advocacy work by raising awareness of violence and trafficking here in Hamilton. I also have a tremendous amount of fun and laughter at our conferences and conventions, and I receive so much joy from the opportunities to provide mentorship to young women in high school through our Dream It Be It program.

Fun Fact: I host MoreThan Good Food, the podcast.

Barb’s Bio

Posted on February 6, 2022November 20, 2022 by Allison

Name: Barbara Mccoy

City: Hamilton Ontario

Joined Soroptimist: September 1991

Reason for joining: I was looking for a volunteer service club, who supported women & girls in the community. What I found was a club comprised of dynamic and caring women, who are passionate about helping women in girls, locally, nationally & globally.

Fun Fact: I survived a fall in a hot air balloon in the Swiss alps in the winter.

Car Care Clinic

Posted on February 26, 2013February 27, 2013 by soropadmin

Christine will be hosting a Car Care Clinic, along with Sandra from Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre tomorrow evening (Wednesday).

She will be helping you to feel more comfortable talking to your mechanic. I encourage you to come and hear what she has to say even if you have a mechanic that you know and trust. Also, if you have any friends/family that would be interested in attending, please send them too! 🙂

It will be Wednesday 27th, 7:00-8:30pm at CT&G Automotive 941 Centre Rd. At the corner of Centre Rd and Concession 6.

Christine’s bio

Posted on November 1, 2012September 19, 2021 by soropadmin

Hello, my name is Christine Aarlaht and I am a certified auto mechanic/ technician by trade, head mechanic and owner of CT & G Automotive specialists. So, I guess you might be wondering what brought me to the Soroptimist DAF organization in the first place. I had been looking to join a volunteer organization for some time and by chance came across the SIDAF at an awards ceremony. After listening to some women speak, I was “blown away” with all that these women have accomplished for women and girls in our communities. I said to myself….”I want to be part of that”. I joined SIDAF in January of 2012 and am currently on the fundraising committee.

I feel privileged enough to have been born into the most loving family and a free democratic country called Canada. I realize that it’s not that way for many women and girls in the world and even in our own community. For this reason and so much more…..I wanted to be a part of making a difference in the lives of others and be a positive influence wherever I can.

I love animals and have a Siberian husky by the name of Reaper! I love to cook, garden and fish….and when I’m not home you can find me working on or riding cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Lifetime Achievement Award and OBA Nominees

Posted on March 31, 2012April 1, 2012 by soropadmin

On February 25th, the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce honoured Soroptimist International of Dundas~Ancaster~Flamborough (SIDAF) at their Outstanding Business Achievement (OBA) Awards Gala in several ways. SIDAF member Sandy Gray and her husband Steve (recently retired as owners of Weeks Home Hardware in Waterdown) were recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award, two other SIDAF members were nominated for OBA awards (Maria Demkowich of JDJ Trailers and Shirley Eden, President of SIDAF), and SIDAF itself was recognized with a special Community Recognition Award.

Sandy Gray and Steve, along with Sandy’s brother Dave Smith, bought Weeks Home Hardware from their parents George & June Smith in January 1987. According to Arend Kersten, Executive Director of the FCC, “Over the past 24 years, Weeks Home Hardware has helped define the very soul of our incredible ‘community of communities’ with outstanding generosity and community involvement.” When asked why she chose to become a member of Soroptimist International and SIDAF in addition to all of her other interests, Sandy credited her passionate desire to help others through both her business and personal connections, especially women facing barriers to achieving their goals.

This photo was taken at the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (OBA) Gala, from left to right: SIDAF members Nancy Davidson, Shirley McCoy, Janet Barnard, Sandy Gray (winner, Lifetime Achievement Award), Pauline Hardcastle, Shirley Eden (OBA Nominee) and Maria Demkowich (OBA Nominee). Thank you also to the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce for featuring our club in the Bottom Line, March 2012.

Soroptimist International of Dundas~Ancaster~Flamborough is proud of Sandy, Maria and Shirley, and grateful to the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce for their Community Recognition Award.

Partridge on the Ballot

Posted on January 22, 2010February 18, 2012 by soropadmin

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.

Read her full story in the Flamborough Review »

Pauline’s Bio

Posted on May 2, 2009September 19, 2021 by soropadmin

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

Gone ... now proudly owned by fellow SI-DAF member, Brooke

Curves Food Drive

Posted on March 2, 2009February 18, 2012 by soropadmin

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