The 20th Women of Distinction Awards Gala

A woman of distinction is an inspiration to others who has made a commitment to her community as a leader and a role-model. As a catalyst for change, she breaks new ground and old barriers. 


She shows vision, creativity and initiative and has improved the lives of those in Muskoka. 

What a night!

THANK YOU for making our 20th Women of Distinction Awards Gala a huge success. Together, this amazing group of supporters, volunteers, sponsors and silent auction donors raised over $50,000! Funds will support girls, women and gender diverse people through YWCA Muskoka.


Watch the instagram reel here to see the evening highlights


Photo credit: Joel Jones Photography (videos contributed by guests and the blurry ones by Laura)



2026 Women of Distinction Sponsors

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    2026 Recipients (l-r) Sarah Jean Smith, Aimée Bulloch-Moore, Michelle Battaglia, Catherine Cole, Jody North, Isabella Bullock, Joyce Jonathan Crone.

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  • 2025 Recipients

    2025 Recipients (from l-r Tracy Nickles, Britney Hammell, Gayle Dempsey, Sarah Roberts, Leslie Tempest, Beth Ward

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  • 2019 Recipients

    2019 Recipients

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    2018 Recipients

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    2017 Recipients

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    2016 Recipients

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    2015 Recipients

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    2014 Recipients

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    2013 Recipients

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    2012 Recipients

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    2011 Recipients and Nominees

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    2010 Recipients

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    2009 Recipients

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    2008 Recipients and Nominees

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    2007 Recipients and Nominees

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    2006 Recipients and Nominees

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    2005 Recipients

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    2004 Recipients

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    2003 Recipients

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Alumnae

  • 2026 Recipients and Nominees

    Isabella Bullock - Recipient Young Woman of Distinction

    Aimee Bulloch-Moore - Recipient Arts, Culture, and Creativity

    Sarah Jean Smith - Recipient Health, Sports, and Wellness

    Jody North - Recipient Innovation and Entrepreneurship

    Joyce Jonathan Crone - Recipient Transforming Community

    Michelle Battaglia - Recipient Skilled Trades

    Catherine Cole - Recipient Lifetime Achievement


    Nominees:

    Allie Mason 

    Angee Pell 

    Autumn Smith 

    Belinda Clemmensen 

    Elora Austrup 

    Eniko M. Campbell 

    Jennifer Chambers 

    Kelly Jones 

    Kristie Shaver 

    Krystal Darling 

    Lynne Doyle 

    Marlee Moore 

    Megan Goodwin 

    Melissa Johnson 

    Michelle Whaley 

    Miranda Mulholland 

    Nancy Waxl 

    Sarah Robertson Smith 

    Sarah Thatcher 

    Sasha Stecko 

    Sharon Stahls 

    Shilah Smith 

    Stephanie Nasturzio 

    Sue Kelly 

  • 2025 Recipients and Nominees

    Young Woman of Distinction - Recipient: Britney Hammell, Nominees: Janessa Swanson, Kendra King


    Arts, Culture & Creativity - Recipient: Gayle Dempsey, Nominees: Allie Mason, Christina Serra, Kelly Hamilton


    Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Recipient: Leslie Tempest, Nominees: Candice Jennings, Kersti Kents, Melissa Johnson, Michelle Robinson, Stacey Thornton


    Transforming Community - Recipient: Tracy Nickles, Nominees: Barb Bridgeman, Kelly Jones, Leah Perron, Linda Fraser, Victoria Baumgart


    Health, Sports & Wellness - Recipient: Sarah Roberts, Nominees: Ashley Moore, Chelsey Reid, Christine Degan, Julie Charters, Valerie Houston-Peel


    Lifetime Achievement - Recipient: Beth Ward, Nominees: Anne Axler-Larcade, Donna Kearney, Francis Mae Balodis, Marie Little, Patricia Arney

  • 2019 Recipients and Nominees

    • Young Woman of Distinction - Kalleen Turchett
    • Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Kim Aitken
    • Mentorship - Patti Hanrath
    • Arts, Culture & Creativity - J'aime Payne
    • Health, Sports & Wellness - Marie Lloyd
    • Community Development & Social Activism - Darlene Poirier
    • Transformational - Diane Litchfield
    • Lifetime Achievement - Sandra Winspear

    Nominees for all categories include: Margaret Dollar, Ellen Duffield, Kai Rannick, Erin Kerr, Karen Patterson, Cailan Punnewaert, 

  • 2018 Recipients and Nominees

    • Young Woman of Distinction: Kennedy Watson Brown
    • Arts, Culture & Creativity: Janine Marson
    • Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Michelle Meadows
    • Community Development & Social Activism: Kathleen May
    • Health, Sports & Wellness: Kelli Ebbs
    • Mentorship: Nancy Osborne
    • Transformational Award:  Ashleigh Whipp
    • Lifetime Achievement: Gundy Upans

    Nominees for all categories include:  Janice Paterson, Suzanne Stevens, Jen Morgan-Anderson, Christine Kropp, Eva Zachary, Andrea Butler, Alison Dumont, Rebecca Paul, Dorothy Barber, Patti Hanrath, Nancy Hyslop

  • 2017 Recipients and Nominees

    • Young Woman of Distinction: Candace Yule
    • Arts, Culture & Creativity: Michelle Emson
    • Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Nicole Manion
    • Community Development & Social Activism: Dawn Novak
    • Health, Sports & Wellness: Norma Connolly
    • Mentorship: Bonnie Dart
    • Lifetime Achievement: Debby Andrews
    • New*  Transformational Award:  Brenda Woods

    Nominees for all categories include:  Jo-Anne Constantino, Heather Hay, Joanne Lea, Kathleen May, Jacki McPherson, Julia McCreadie, Christine Moore, Marilyn Parsons, Debbie Pringle, Danielle Ryan, Maggie West, Linda Williams 

  • 2016 Recipients and Nominees

    • Young Woman of Distinction: Alissa Ahsome
    • Arts, Culture & Creativity: Penny Varney
    • Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Brenda Rhodes
    • Community Development & Social Activism: Michelle Ainsworth
    • Health, Sports & Wellness: Jane Dunford
    • Mentorship: Alison Brownlee
    • Lifetime Achievement: Arleigh Luckett 

    Nominees for all categories include:  Alissa Ahsome, Michelle Ainsworth, Alison Brownlee, Jane Dunford, Christina Hunter, Arleigh Luckett, Kate O’Brien, Brenda Rhodes, Pamela Terreberry, Kerri Vallentin, Penny Varney, Amy Wallace 

  • 2015 Recipients and Nominees

    • Young Woman of Distinction: Jenny Spring
    • Arts, Culture & Creativity: Amy Bridle
    • Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Katy McGregor
    • Community Development & Social Activism: Lynn de Caro
    • Health, Sports & Wellness: Laura Heming
    • Mentorship: Sheryl Manolakos
    • Lifetime Achievement: Audrey Forth 

    Nominees for all categories include:  Kim Barlow, Morven Barnes, Amy Bridle, Lynn de Caro, Cathy Duck, Audrey Forth, Kelly Hammond, Yvonne Heath, Laura Heming, Sheryl Manolakos, Wendy Martin, Katy McGregor, Danielle Millar, Fran Mitchell, Kailey Richter, Jenny Spring 

  • 2014 Recipients and Nominees

    • Young Woman of Distinction:  Hailey Scott
    • Arts, Culture & Creativity: Wendie Donabie 
    • Business, Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Arden McGregor 
    • Community Development & Social Activism: Debbie Kirwin
    • Health, Sports & Wellness:   Cheryl Dove 
    • Mentorship:  JoAnn Jordan
    • Lifetime Achievement: Barbara Power 

    Nominees for all categories include: Daniela Bajec, Bonnie Blain, Rhonda Bradley, Sheena Branigan, Judy Campbell, Laura Cameron, Melissa Candelaria, Jodi Golding, Kelly Haywood, Dara Howell, Jennifer Hoyle, Celine MacKay, Jane McCutcheon, Emily Montgomery, Avery Saunter, Jenny Spring, Sherisse Stevens, Krystal Watson, Fiona Westner-Ramsay, Ellen Yeo