Amazing times seven! CFUW Nelson & District club hosted our 3rd SIP Talks: Stories Inspire Passion event on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 at the Prestige Lakeside.
Seven dynamic Kootenay women entertained nearly 100 community members with personal stories about what or who inspires them to follow their passions. Over great food and beverages, we enjoyed stories about love of land, water, sports, music, movement, writing, performing, and finding one’s own voice.
Event proceeds went to support the CFUW Scholarship and Bursary Fund for young people in the community.
Our impressive presenters were:
Avery DeBoer Smith – Master’s student, Environmental Consultant and Chair of Neighbours United and the Youth Climate.
Luanne Armstrong -award winning author and mentor to emerging writers
Sydney Black – mama, performer, producer and the Executive Director of the Nelson & District Arts Council.
Zaynab Mohammed - award-winning poet, artist and our region's 2022 BC Cultural Days Ambassador
Jane Byers – poet, writer and Nelson’s 2022 Cultural Ambassador.
Lori Anne Donald – physiotherapist, business owner, member of Canada’s National Ski Mountaineering team, avid mountain biker, trail runner, whitewater kayaker, and salsa dancer
Patricia Henman - Director, Actor, Singer/Songwriter, Producer, Educator, Author
Special thanks to the presenters: (left to right) Avery Deboer-Smith, Lori Anne Donald, Jane Byers, Sydney Black, Pat Henman, Zaynab Mohammed, Luanne Armstrong. Thanks to all the attendees and supporters.
2022 news coverage:
Kootenay women's Stories Inspire Passion at CFUW SIP Talks 1 & 2!
CFUW Nelson & District's second SIP Talks: Stories Inspire Passion was in March 2019.
CFUW Nelson & District's second Ted Talk-like event featured appearances by 7 inspiring Kootenay women: (front row, from left) Rita Moir, Jackie Little, Dr. Marissa Van Der Vyer, and (back row, from left), Anna Purcell, Astrid Heyerdahl, Eileen Delehanty Pearkes. Lisel Forst also presented.
Presenters shared their personal stories of what inspired them to become the dynamic women they are today. The line-up was: Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, researcher, author, and activist for the Columbia Basin Treaty; Jackie Little, professional golfer, inductee into the Legends Hall of Fame, Champion of the BC Senior Open and Canadian Senior Open; Rita Moir, author, journalist, and founder of Slocan Valley Seniors’ Housing Society; Astrid Heyerdahl, history buff, Touchstones executive director and in her words, “museum nerd”; Lisel Forst, comedian, actor, director, and author; Dr. Marisa Van Der Vyver, physician from South Africa who is actively involved with Nelson Rotary; and Anna Purcell, former city councillor, soon to be acting executive director for Touchstones Nelson and social justice advocate.
SIP Talks is an event to recognize and hear the extraordinary stories from dynamic women who live in the Kootenays. CFUW Nelson and District hosted its second SIP Talks: Stories Inspire Passion in celebration of the national Canadian Federation of University Women's 100th anniversary. It was held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Prestige Lakeside Resort. All SIP Talk event proceeds went towards scholarships for local young women at L.V. Rogers and Selkirk College.
2019 news coverage:
CFUW Nelson & District hosted our first SIP Talks: Stories Inspire Passion in March 2016.
CFUW Nelson & District's first Ted Talk-like event featured appearances by 13 amazing Kootenay women: (back row, starting left) Eleanor Stacey, Deb Kozak, Allison Girvan, Rona Park, Susan Wallach, Amy Bohigian, Bessie Wapp; (front row, starting left) Keri Flesaker, Joan Reichardt, Diana Cole, Margaret Stacey, Deb Smith, Shelley Adams.
Each woman shared stories about their passion in life. “It doesn’t matter what point you are in your life, you always have passion. What are the things that trigger your passion?” said CFUW President Cathy Leugner. “I hope all the people coming out with be inspired about getting involved in the community and following their own personal journeys. I’m also hoping they’ll now know more about the amazing women here in the Kootenays.”
CFUW's first SIP Talks were held in honour of International Women’s Day at Mary Hall on Selkirk College's Tenth St. Campus. The night included a marimba band, international tapas and wine, a celebration tree and a display documenting “a century of Nelson women.” The evening ended with a musical performance by Selkirk College music students Sophie MP and Amanda Cawley, who are our next generation of inspiring young women!
All SIP Talk event proceeds go towards CFUW Nelson & District's scholarships for local students at L.V. Rogers and Selkirk College.
2016 News coverage: