Women of Distinction

Mellaney Dahl is a media pioneer in Sudbury as the first female radio announcer on Q92. Her career in radio and the media started 32 years ago and she has been working as an announcer for the past 26 years. Her career has been built over many years of hard work, patience and determination and she is dedicated to producing a quality morning show each day. She is an inspiration to women working in the media and takes on the role as a mentor to younger female staff very seriously. In 2012, Mellaney was awarded the Q92 Employee of the year and she received the Community Involvement Award in 2013 from the CEO of Rogers Communications.

Mellaney uses her power and influence from this position to help in charitable and worthy causes in the community. She is particularly passionate about the Sudbury Food Bank. Mellaney is currently the Vice President on the Banque D’aliments Sudbury Food Bank’s Board of Directors and has been actively involved for 16 years. She accomplished a great deal of success in working with the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive, taking over as chair when Edgar Burton passed away. Her guidance with the Edgar Burton campaign has turned it into one of the largest per capita drives in the province.

As a dedicated wife and mother to two daughters, she prioritizes family in her life. Her daughter describes her mother as the most inspirational person. “Any project she starts, she’ll be determined and motivated to accomplish her goals. That’s the type of role model young people need in their lives.”

Lynn Despatie is a triathlete and a proud mother of two girls. She graduated in 2009 with a Sciences Politiques degree from Laurentian University. In 2013, she graduated with a Masters in Local Economic Development from the University of Waterloo where she was recognized for her academic achievement through the Economic Development Program Graduate Scholarship.

While completing her studies, she was also a very active member of the community. Lynn worked as a literacy counsellor for children in Pikangikum First Nation through Frontier College, as well as, a Development Officer at The Venture Centre in Timmins assisting community members with securing large amounts of government funding for various endeavours. During this time, she developed a workshop schedule for RISE To Your Potential, an Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship program. Lynn served as Chair of Eat Local Sudbury’s Board of Directors in 2013-2014 and in 2014, Lynn was elected as a school board trustee for the CSPGNO. She currently chairs the Human Resources Committee and sits on the Board’s Parent Participation Committee.

Following a personal experience with the birth of her daughter, she advocated for policy change within the hospital’s Child and Family program: a medical directive to screen for developmental dysplasia of the hip. This screening has the potential to reduce the need for surgery for infants through early diagnosis and the option for non-invasive treatment. She then became a resource advisor on HSN’s Patient and Family Advisory Council in January 2015 and became a full member of the Advisory council in September 2015.

Currently, Lynn is the Senior Social Researcher for the Social Planning Council of Sudbury, and is working toward her Economic Developer’s Designation. Lynn’s passion for improving economic development in Northern Communities and her interest in Francophone and Indigenous affairs makes her an inspiring community leader.

Justice Patricia C. Hennessy was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, Honoris Causa  by Laurentian University in 2011 in recognition of the work she has done in the Sudbury community as well as within the legal and judicial community.   

As part of her local community work, Patricia developed a Sudbury Mock Trial Competition, which has become an important component of the Grade 12 Law curriculum in local secondary schools. She continually inspires and motivates our youth to pursue careers in the law and justice sector.  Her work has been recognized by the Ontario Justice Education Network  with the Chief Justices Award for Enhancement of Justice Education  as well by the Rainbow Board of Education with the  award for Outstanding Contribution to the Co-curricular Program.

Recently, Justice Hennessy, spent time in two First Nation communities on Manitoulin Island.  While there, she developed and delivered a program called Exploring Justice/Making Law for students in Wikwemikong  and M’Chigeeng,. As part of the project, she connected students from Osgoode Law School to the aboriginal students of these First Nations communities.  The two groups of students worked together throughout the term, ultimately meeting together on Manitoulin Island in early 2015 .  The shared experiences provided both groups of students with the opportunity to grow and learn together, taking one step along the journey of reconciliation.

Throughout her career Patricia has continued to be involved with the community through many different projects and programs.  The work has been recognized with numerous awards and recognitions from both her peers and the community alike. She also has a passion for rowing, paddling and the many other ways of enjoying the vast and magnificent geography of Northern Ontario.  Along the way she  has been an inspiring example to other young women in sports.

In all things, Patricia draws her inspiration from her ancestors and the next generation; especially her daughters and son.

Lise Plante is a Francophone woman who works as a registered psychotherapist with the Centre de counselling de Sudbury for over 28 years. She obtained a Psychology degree from Laurentian University and a Masters` degree in Human Development. For the past 25 years, Lise has been working in the Violence Against Women Intervention Program and has worked with over 2500 women who have been abused by their partners. She developed the group “Growth In Connection”, which the agency still offers because of its significant impact on the lives of vulnerable women.

Lise was an active member of the CAS/VAW working group for a number of years. She is currently involved with the Domestic Violence Court Advisory Committee. As a pioneer in the community, Lise brings devotion and sincerity to her role. She is passionate about increasing the safety of women and decreasing the violence in the lives of her clients. Lise’s clients describe her as supportive and respectful, and an active listener. She helps women to find and value their own power.

Julia Wabie is an Algonquin Anishiinaabe Kwe from Wolf Lake First Nation. She is a shining example of an emerging leader to other young women in both indigenous and non-indigenous communities. At the age of thirteen, she completed a traditional year-long berry fast, which allowed her to practice self-discipline.  From a young age, Julia understood the importance of community service.  She was a member & facilitator for the Niwapeten, N’peten Youth Mentorship Circle, an aboriginal Girls’ Gift Retreat participant turned leader, Student Advisory council member for the Minister’s Student Advisory Council, and has volunteered extensively in the community as a woman hand drummer.

During her years in the Midwifery Program at Laurentian University, she was a mentor for 1^st year students and also participated in the Indigenous Student’s Circle (student association). Due to a demanding schedule, Julia decided to take a year off from the Midwifery Program to further her education in Indigenous Studies and Women’s Studies at Laurentian University.  She is also working with the Director of the Midwifery Program on a publication detailing the experience of women working in an on-call profession.

Julia is highly dedicated to honouring, respecting and preserving indigenous cultural practices. She is an accomplished Young Woman who is often described as having an “old soul”. Her warmth, friendliness paired with her high motivation and ambition undoubtedly makes her a Woman of Distinction.

Julia Wabie is an Algonquin Anishiinaabe Kwe from Wolf Lake First Nation. She is a shining example of an emerging leader to other young women in both indigenous and non-indigenous communities. At the age of thirteen, she completed a traditional year-long berry fast, which allowed her to practice self-discipline.  From a young age, Julia understood the importance of community service.  She was a member & facilitator for the Niwapeten, N’peten Youth Mentorship Circle, an aboriginal Girls’ Gift Retreat participant turned leader, Student Advisory council member for the Minister’s Student Advisory Council, and has volunteered extensively in the community as a woman hand drummer.

During her years in the Midwifery Program at Laurentian University, she was a mentor for 1^st year students and also participated in the Indigenous Student’s Circle (student association). Due to a demanding schedule, Julia decided to take a year off from the Midwifery Program to further her education in Indigenous Studies and Women’s Studies at Laurentian University.  She is also working with the Director of the Midwifery Program on a publication detailing the experience of women working in an on-call profession.

Julia is highly dedicated to honouring, respecting and preserving indigenous cultural practices. She is an accomplished Young Woman who is often described as having an “old soul”. Her warmth, friendliness paired with her high motivation and ambition undoubtedly makes her a Woman of Distinction.

Alicia Woods grew up in a mining family and works in the mining supply and service sector herself. After numerous trips underground, she realized that the clothing women wore were for male body types. She was inspired to create Covergalls Workwear, a clothing line made to increase safety and comfort for women working in the mining industry and other related industries. Alicia secured funding by presenting her business idea on Dragon’s Den. This helped to make her product available to women internationally and allowed more women to consider non-traditional career opportunities in such areas as the trades, forestry and mining.

Alicia’s perseverance and commitment to making the industry a better place for women to work garnered numerous awards: Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2015, 40 Under 40 Award Recipient 2015, Innovation Award 2015 Recipient. She also volunteers as Vice President of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA) Board and sits on the Greater Sudbury Strategic Planning Committee. She is also involved with organizations dedicated to advancing women: Women in Mining and is a Member of PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, which offers business support and networking to empower women and promote economic development across Northern Ontario.

Continually searching for ways to open doors for young women, Alicia created a scholarship fund for female high school students who plan to study non-traditional fields in college or university.

Alicia Woods grew up in a mining family and works in the mining supply and service sector herself. After numerous trips underground, she realized that the clothing women wore were for male body types. She was inspired to create Covergalls Workwear, a clothing line made to increase safety and comfort for women working in the mining industry and other related industries. Alicia secured funding by presenting her business idea on Dragon’s Den. This helped to make her product available to women internationally and allowed more women to consider non-traditional career opportunities in such areas as the trades, forestry and mining.

Alicia’s perseverance and commitment to making the industry a better place for women to work garnered numerous awards: Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2015, 40 Under 40 Award Recipient 2015, Innovation Award 2015 Recipient. She also volunteers as Vice President of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA) Board and sits on the Greater Sudbury Strategic Planning Committee. She is also involved with organizations dedicated to advancing women: Women in Mining and is a Member of PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, which offers business support and networking to empower women and promote economic development across Northern Ontario.

Continually searching for ways to open doors for young women, Alicia created a scholarship fund for female high school students who plan to study non-traditional fields in college or university.

Sudbury Soup Sisters & Broth Brothers is a non-profit charitable social enterprise that has donated over 1500 litres of soup to the YWCA Genevra House. On the last Sunday each month, the group gathers at Collège Boréal to create nutritious, hearty soup for the Women’s Shelter. The Organizing Committee – Louise Bergeron, Liz Spooner-Young, Kelly Louiseize, Danielle Audet, and Lise Laakso  – has clocked over 1000 hours toward this cause while raising awareness about violence against women.

These women, all who have busy and successful careers, have been the driving force behind many fundraisers resulting in increased service for individuals and families who are experiencing challenging times. They are also involved in a number of other community causes: Elgin Street Mission, Big Sisters, Sudbury Women’s Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, Sudbury Food Bank, Out of the Cold, and The Rotary Club. These well-respected and hard-working professionals inspire and mobilize others in the community to donate their time towards this cause and many others.