Jo-Anne Boulding – Bracebridge – Women Impacting Political Issues
Nominators: Leslie Flemming & Susan Campbell

Jo-Anne Boulding attributes her awareness of apartheid at the age of thirteen as a waking point in the political expression of her beliefs. What has followed is over three decades of consistent political advocacy initiatives almost always directed at improving the lot of others, especially women. This three-time NDP candidate is celebrated on this occasion for living according to her beliefs, her deep-seated drive for social justice, and fair treatment and equity for all. Her visible work here in Muskoka include co-chairing the $1.3 million capital building campaign for Interval House, and a four-year study of the victims of violence titled Walking On Eggshells. This proud lawyer, feminist and Executive Director of Lake Country Legal Clinic is just as likely to be found tutoring a client in off hours in literacy. If you ask Jo-Anne about her biggest accomplishment and pleasure, it will be raising her daughter, Kimber-lee, a role undertaken as a single parent.

For all of these accomplishments, and her genuine love of others, her warm smiles, and quick sense of humour, colleagues and nominators Leslie Flemming and Susan Campbell, have nominated Jo-Anne Boulding for distinction among Woman Impacting Political Issues.

Karen Fish – Bracebridge - Entrepreneurship
Nominators: Jan Lucy and Jennifer Milligan

Karen Fish is an Entrepreneur. Joy and creativity is her business. In 1995, Karen began a career as Kare Kare the Klown. In 2002, Karen Fish opened Studio K on Dominion Street in Bracebridge – a paint-your-own ceramic studio. In 2005, she moved her business to Wellington Street Plaza, where she expanded her services to Kreate a Kritter, and build-your-own dolls and purses. Children, birthday parties, girls nights… each customer is inspired in this craft and joy-based environment. Equally inspiring is Karen’s life journey to this destination. At the age of nine, Karen was diagnosed with a brain tumour, a single event that altered the course and meaning of her life. Surgery was, for Karen, life-giving, albeit a path with many challenges. With the support of her family, and an unfailing optimism, Karen has met and surpassed her goals. Today Big Sisterhood brings great joy to Karen, as does her other volunteer work in Mutt Strutt, Walk for the Cure and Children’s Miracle Network.

As a role model for living life with joy, gratitude, caring, and an eye for the next adventure, Karen Fish has been nominated by Jennifer Milligan and Jan Lucy in the category of Entrepreneurship.

Jody Gienow – Bracebridge - Young Woman of Distinction
Nominators: Janice Enright and Lynda Higgins

Jody Gienow has taken a road less travelled, or in her case, a natural path. Her mother will tell you that she has been protecting wildlife and bringing home any animal that needed help since childhood. When Jody left high school in 1994 as an honours student, she went to work in animal facilities and zoos where she became dissatisfied with the care and business of captive species. In 1995 she redirected her care and attention to aiding those imperfect species and to developing outreach education for children through documentaries for the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and Zooboomafoo. Her greatest joy and her greatest hopes come through educating children. “Teach a child to respect themselves, and the child will learn to respect all life” In 1999 Jody came to Muskoka to open the Muskoka Wildlife Centre, today housing the largest collection of captive Ontario wildlife in the province, providing a hands-on learning experience for 30,000 visitors annually, a facility recently accredited by the World Society for the Protection of Animals.

For her commitment and dedication, and following the path less travelled, Janice Enright and Linda Higgins have nominated Jody Gienow as Young Woman of Distinction.

Ginny Kernohan – Bracebridge – Health & Healing
Nominators: Suzann Partridge and Bette Sweatman

Ginny Kernohan is what a hug feels like. Ask any who have crossed her path. Ginny has been a resident of Muskoka for 23 years. She is a wife and mother of two daughters who has built a reputation as a mentor and dedicated supporter of women in distress. Ginny’s career path has been in service to those most vulnerable. She has worked over ten years at Muskoka Interval House as a Child Support Worker, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Relief Staff, Trainer, and Counsellor. She has worked as a Life Skills Coach for Muskoka Works. She is a former Executive Director of Victim Services. She has been a Youth Worker assistant to the Minister of the United Church. Today Ginny is a Career Counsellor and Employment Specialist. It is not just the jobs on her resume that make her exceptional, but her capacity to truly enable those she serves. Their success is what makes Ginny feel successful.

For her dedication to her faith and her community, and applying her unique caring skills to improve the lives of others, Bette Sweatman and Suzann Partridge have nominated Ginny Kernohan for distinction in Health & Healing.

Mel Malton – Huntsville – Women in Print
Nominators: Diane Noon and Mary Munroe

Mel Malton: Waitress, teacher, actor, church secretary, forms designer, clerk in a candy store, theatre carpenter, bartender, and reporter/photographer. It wasn’t until her 30’s that this self-described hodgepodge career path was put to a single use. Today Mel Malton is a strong, non-conformist single woman earning a living as an author in a small community. Mel was first published in 1992, in short stories and poetry. Between 1998 and 2003, Mel Malton published four novels in a crime series. It was a writer who visited Mel Malton’s childhood classroom that inspired her with the message that every book starts with a single page. Though writing tends to be a solitary profession, Mel is deeply involved in her community. She presents workshops at schools and libraries, was a founding member of the Muskoka Novel marathon raising money for literacy, and is a literary coach working one-on-one. She has advanced the cause of women in numerous ways, both in her community and beyond. Her participation in the Vagina Monologues underscores her care and concern for women in society.

In celebration of her writing and her contributions to her community, Diane Noon and Mary Munroe have nominated Mel Malton for distinction in Women in Print.

Mary Storey – Gravenhurst – Open Category
Nominators: Carol Boaks and Ronda Turner

Mary Storey was a classroom teacher for 35 years. She taught science, mathematics and computers. Professionally, she was recognized with many awards throughout her career, including the Federal Prime Ministers Award for Excellence in 1995. After retiring in 2000, to our benefit, Mary and her husband re-located to Muskoka. Every community would be lucky to have a Mary Storey. She is an educator, an advocator for Muskoka Heritage, and a crusader for women of Muskoka. She was one of twelve women who launched Muskoka Women’s Connection, an innovative and informal network that connects women for social events without dues, structure or committee meetings. But she is most proud of her involvement in Opening Doors; an annual one-day event launched in 2002 for girls in grades 7 and 8, which showcases careers in Math, Science, and Technology. This program dispels myths and stereotypes, and introduces young women to role models, demonstrating that it is fun to be a woman in trades and technology.

For her confidence and contagious energy, and for being a catalyst for improving the quality of life for women of all ages in Muskoka, Carol Boaks and Ronda Turner have nominated Mary Storey for the Open Category.