Join CFUW Saturday March 29 for inspiring stories by Kootenay women! SIP Talks for scholarships.
- frasercynthia
- Feb 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 22
Hear inspiring stories from Laura Landsberg, Slava Doval, Katrine Conroy, Kate Armstrong, Andrea Fox, Cheryl Dowden and Lena Horswill. Join the Canadian Federation of University Women Nelson & District for a celebration of the collective spirit of Kootenay Women on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 4 pm at Lakeside Prestige Hotel & Resort.
These local Kootenay women will share their personal stories about what has inspired them to become the person they are today. There is nothing more exciting than meeting new people, sharing lived experience stories, and enjoying good food and beverage! Tickets are available at Otter's Books and online via Eventbrite.
SIP Talk 2025's impressive line up of Kootenay Women speakers includes:
Katrine Conroy - first female to work at Celgar Pulp Mill, becoming a Power Engineer, an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), worked at Kootenay Family Place as an ECE and Executive Director, and as an instructor at Selkirk College teaching ECE, was as elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly of BC (MLA) since 2005, and has recently retired as MLA.
Cheryl Dowden - Executive Director at ANKORS (AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society), social justice advocate, community leader advocating for vulnerable populations, an avid traveler, outdoorsperson, and passionate about being a mom.
Laura Landsberg – a rare vocalist who can cross all genres, highly respected member of the music community, 20 years vocal instructor at Selkirk College Contemporary Music & Technology Program, continues to perform in various musical projects. LauraLandsberg.com
Slava Doval -a passionate, lifelong dance artist, choreographer and instructor. The founder and director of Dance Fusion, a Nelson-based dance school that has been in operation for sixteen years.
Andrea Fox - is a certified nature-based therapist, environmental activist, outdoor educator, and wilderness guide. Fox received the 2024 Suzy Hamilton Legacy award for their passionate and dedicated work in protecting old growth forests and biodiversity. Andrea Fox founded Elemental Journeys and offers youth programs, primal skills workshops, adult wilderness retreats and one-on-one counselling. Fox brings curiosity and play to every exploration.
Lena Horswill - community advocate & leader, originally from Malaysia, she immigrated to Canada at the age of 25 and began working with CUSO (an international development agency), former retired Executive Director for Nelson Community Services and at present is Board Chair for Nelson City Police Board.
Kate Armstrong - award-winning author of her memoir The Stone Frigate: The Royal Military College’s First Female Cadet Speaks Out, is passionate about writing and is currently pursuing a master’s in fine arts in Creative Writing at UBC, she is also an avid sailor/yachtsman and plans to race in the Atlantic.
All event proceeds support CFUW's local educational scholarships!
Yes, the main goal of the event is to raise funds for the annual scholarships that we award to young women in our community who attend Selkirk College, and LV Rogers Secondary School in Nelson. Our CFUW Nelson & District club has been awarding scholarships for over 50 years! All event proceeds go to the CFUW Scholarship and Bursary Fund.
I can't wait! Where do I get my tickets?
Tickets are available at Otter's Books and online via Eventbrite. Each ticket includes a glass of wine or other beverage, as well as an assortment of tapas and finger sandwiches.
Raffle tickets for some fabulous prizes will also be sold. Enter for your chance at a $400 cash prize, free night at the Lakeside Prestige, a $200 Save-On grocery card, and $100 True Local Kootenay Co-op basket.
We look forward to hosting you for a wonderful evening!
Day of Event : When can we arrive?
Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Lakeside Prestige Hotel & Resort.
Doors open at 3:30 pm. Program begins at 4 pm.
The event runs until 7 pm. We also welcome a prior local scholarship recipient.
This is CFUW's 4th SIP Talk! Which Kootenay women spoke at the first 3?
We've been lucky to have many inspiring Kootenay women speakers! We hosted our first SIP Talk: Stories Inspire Passion in March 2016, our second in March 2019, and our third in September 2022. See the women who presented at our past 3 SIP Talks
Questions?
If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to us at nelsoncfuw@gmail.com
