Women of Distinction

Lori Adams, retired educator, peace advocate and community activist, is an example of the difference one person can make. From her early days in education as teacher, principal, local president and provincial director of FWTAO, Lori has been working to improve the lives of women and children, from developing harassment policies and organizing self-defence programs for women teachers to initiating anti bullying and peace-makers symposiums for students. Through her work at St. Peter’s United Church, Lori raises funds for local and international charities, in particular, the Sudbury Minga for Maassai, a project Lori initiated to help women and their families in a Masai village in Kenya. Committed to promoting world peace, Lori is the Canadian Representative for the World Peace Prayer Society and recently co-ordinated a World Peace Prayer Ceremony held in Sudbury.

In 2007, Lori chaired a local Manitou Art Exhibit celebrating the talents of Anishinabek artists and in 2009 organized a local MINGA with Music benefit concert. This small sample of Lori’s involvement and leadership in her local and world community demonstrates why she is truly a ‘Woman of Distinction”

Maegan Fram, an accomplished dancer, certified dance instructor and entrepreneur, began her journey in the dance world at the tender age of 4. Training at the Ida Sauve dance studio, Maegan’s talents have been recognized on a National level, winning awards in Las Vegas and New York, and training with the National Ballet School of Canada. In her teens, Maegan began to teach dance and within a few short years has become a much sought after choreographer and teacher in Northern Ontario. In 2006, Maegan followed her dream and opened her dance studio, Project Dance. It is here that Maegan teaches her students that dance is about doing the best you can do, and loving every minute of it.

Regularly, Maegan’s dancers perform around Sudbury in support of local schools, seniors’ homes, and various charities and service clubs. Remaining true to her vision of wanting her work to remain about the students and dancing, Maegan instills in her students the love of dance, builds their self-esteem and inspires them to, like her, follow their dreams.

Patti Kitler, an accomplished and enthusiastic cross country skier and highly qualified coach, shares her love of the sport with many through her coaching, volunteering and work as Coach Development Coordinator with Cross Country Ontario. Patti has not only revived the coaching certification program in Ontario which has trained about 1300 coaches but, determined to make skiing an inclusive sport for all, she initiated an Adaptive Ski Program for Ontario skiers with disabilities which she promotes throughout the province. In addition to her work, training athletes and coaches, Patti volunteers with Cross Country Ontario, Cross Country Canada and the Walden Cross Country Fitness Club where she helped grow the youth ski program, trained the coaches and initiated new
programs like her “Chicks on Sticks” a learn to ski program for women.

Volunteering locally as an Adaptive Ski coach, promoting skiing in local schools and organizing many other activities that promote physical fitness all year long, Patti is always thinking about ways to do things better and our community, and cross country skiing, is richer for her presence

Anne Marie has been an advocate and leader for women in our community for more than 20 years. She began working part-time in a nursing home after school and then continued on after graduation. At the young age of 18 she became Unit Chair for her Union. She represented the women she worked with, addressing issues of pay equity, benefits, and working conditions related to the health and safety of her colleagues. When her place of employment closed and the seniors were transferred to a new home, she led a successful organizing campaign for her new workplace. Through this work she changed the face of her union from one that was once male dominated to one where women are an important part of the leadership.

Anne Marie has long been a passionate advocate for the needs of seniors living in long term care residences and has championed their cause as Chair of the Ontario Health Care Coalition. Whether in her work place, her union, or her community, Anne Marie has worked to make life better for others.

Barb Nott, a retired teacher and volunteer ‘extraordinaire’ gives her time and expertise generously with a smile on her face. From volunteer on the Math-Science Technology Olympics and Science Fairs in her teaching days to present Volunteer Coordinator of the 2010 Summer Games, trainer for the United Way/ Centraide Leadership Development Services, President of the Board of Directors for Volunteer Sudbury and her work for the Outcome Measurement Program, Barb’s volunteer contributions are often at the leadership level. Through her 50 year association with the Girl Guides of Canada, Barb has positively influenced hundreds of young girls, mentored leaders and supported Guiding through her leadership participation locally, provincially and internationally. Barb has held many positions in the organization and planned numerous programs and events such as the International Camp in 1999 and a similar camp in 2006 in Ontario.

Through her current position as National Training Advisor, Barb’s influence and leadership are felt throughout Canada. She is presently co-chairing the Ontario celebration of Guiding’s 100th Anniversary in 2010. Barb is undoubtedly an excellent role model for our young women and a valuable leader in our community.

Vivian Recollet, a nurse for 30 years and presently the Health Education Promoter at the Shagamik-Kwe Health Centre, is a role model, advocate and supporter for Aboriginal health and wellness. Among her many accomplishments, Vivian has initiated culturally appropriate programs for First Nations people such as the Diabetic Support Group, annually participates in planning a province-wide health conference focusing on Aboriginal health issues, is the chair of the Aboriginal Stream in the Centre for Health Promotion at the University of Toronto and a founding member of the White Buffalo Healing Lodge. Vivian is continually working to raise awareness of aboriginal culture, organizing such events as the Women’s Water Walk around Lake Ramsey, the Young Girls’ weekend retreat and planting a semma garden at the Flour Mill Museum.

From her work on the ADHOC Committee, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Northern Diabetics Health Network and the Mine Mill Union Planning Committee to her fundraising efforts with the Relay for Life and Sudbury Rocks, Vivian has given much to our community and is a proud recipient of the Order of Ontario.

The SDNPC team members, under the leadership of Marilyn Butcher and Roberta Heale, are true modern pioneers and have made history with the opening here in Sudbury of the 1st nurse practitioner-led primary healthcare clinic in Canada. Struggling through a challenging launch, this dedicated group of women, with their positive attitudes, supportive work environment and dignified and caring approach, now provide collaborative care for over 2200 patients with plans to expand to a 2nd site in Walden. Praised by former Health Minister, Honorable Smitherman for their extraordinary leadership, the SDNPC women have paved the path for the development of other NP-led clinics throughout Ontario. Sought out as models and leaders of system change by others such as the Ontario Hospital Association, these NP’s also provide support to other community clinics.

Through their community action, entrepreneurship, mentorship and resolve for social justice, these pioneering women have made a lasting and significant contribution to the medical system and our community.