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Sponsors for 2008
Gold:
•Abbotsford News
•Photoart by Simpson
Silver:
•Richard Friesen, Remax Realtor
•Envision Financial
Bronze:
•Bodykneads Massage Therapy
•Champagne & Lace Bridal Centre
•Naturalaze Laser & Esthethics
•The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of BC
Friends:
•Sure Slim
•Classic Party Rentals
Sponsors - in - Kind:
•Minuteman Press
•Craig Carmichael Photography
•Meadow Blossom Flowers
•Framing & Art Centre
•Composition Floral & Decor
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2008 Nominees
for the Myrtle Evertt Woman of the Year Awards
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Owner of Fandrich Cone Harvesters Ltd
Gerda was born in Kromnow, in German-occupied Poland. Shortly afterwards, her father was taken prisoner and become a POW in Russia. Her mother took Gerda and her grandmother to escape to Germany but was turned back. At the time Gerda spoke only Polish. In 1947 the three ladies escaped first to East Germany and then to West Germany where they spent half a year in a refugee camp. It is there that Gerda learned German.
Two years later her father was released from POW camp and joined the family. To overcome childhood health problems caused by war-time food and medical care shortages Gerda was sent to a sanatorium to regain health and strength. To this day Gerda has made it a conscious goal to live a healthy life marked by balanced nutrition, wholesome habits and exercise.
The family immigrated to Canada in 1953 and at the age of nine, Gerda learned her third language – English
Over the next 15 years Gerda was crowned May Queen of Sir Alexander Mackenzie School in Vancouver, she represented her high school in the Reach for the Top CBC television quiz show, got her first job at Safeway, won first place in the Province Fashion Show competition for a suit she created, and graduated from high school with a scholarship to UBC.
In 1965, Gerda married a mechanical engineer and supported him in doctoral studies until he earned a PhD in 1970. She taught Elementary School in Vancouver and one year later she concluded her undergraduate studies and graduated with a BEd degree from UBC.
When her first of four children was born, Gerda became a full-time homemaker taking care of a young daughter with chronically severe eczema and a seven-year-old son who suffered a life-altering eye accident.
After Gerda and her husband designed and built a passive solar-heated house in Abbotsford, they formed Fandrich Cone Harvesters Ltd. to commercialize the aerial cone rake invention.
In 1985, Gerda ran for school trustee and was elected as one of the first two women trustees in two decades. She was subsequently re-elected seven times.
Gerda’s hobbies include participation in her book club which she helped form 25 years ago, attending theatre and musical events, sewing, gardening and traveling.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Abbotsford Community Foundation Director
• Abbotsford Sister City Committee
• Abbotsford Arts Council
• Literacy Matters Abbotsford Committee
• MSA Museum Society
• Abbotsford Museum Task Force
• UCFV Community Council
• Outstanding Police Award Committee
• Fraser Valley Regional Library Board
• Abbotsford Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
• Abbotsford Recreation Commission
• BC Summer Games Committee
• Women’s Bible Study Fellowship
• Bibles For Russia Committee
• Parks and Recreation Commission
• In Motion Ambassador
• Honorary Patron, Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir
• School Trustee, Abbotsford School District No. 34 Board of Education (serving as Chair and Vice-Chair
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Executive Director of the Abbotsford Spirit of BC Community Committee
Born in Barrie, Ontario, Kim, the oldest of five children lived all over Canada as well as three years in Germany until she landed in BC in 1966.
Kim began her professional career in 1977 working at local shops and offices prior to joining the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce in 1989. It is at the Chamber that she developed a respect and love of the province and her community. Besides organizing over 90 volunteers over a seven week period during the Street of Dreams, Kim held the position of Tourism Administrator as well as Event and Committee Coordinator.
In June 2006, after 16 years with the Chamber of Commerce, Kim left to become the Executive Director of Abbotsford Spirit of BC Community Committee. This exciting new position provides opportunities and challenges on a daily basis but also enables Kim to work in an area that she is passionate about along side community leaders who are truly making a difference and impact in a positive and long-lasting way.
Kim is the mother of two children ages 32 and 16 as well as a grandmother of two aged 14 and 7. In 2005 she married Roy and is the stepmother to his two children – teenagers – 19 and 17.
Kim is an avid volunteer. Besides her involvement in the Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary Club, Kim is highly active in the theatre. Over the past 35 years she has held lead roles in many local plays as well as being part of the production team, from director to cast to chorus as well as publicity.
In her spare time, Kim enjoys gardening, movies, live theatre and skiing. Her favourite pastime is to get together with family and celebrate an occasion.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Abbotsford Agrifair – office work
• Abbotsford Arts Council – board member for one term
• Abbotsford Downtown Business Association – Tree Lighting Volunteer
• Abbotsford Farm & Country Market – Volunteer Coordinator and Volunteer
• Abbotsford International Airshow – Pilot Autograph Booth & VIP protocol
• Abbotsford Symphony Orchestra – volunteer coordinator
• Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary Club – Board of Directors / vocation chair
• Fraser Valley Stage – production, acting, board
• Greater Vancouver Zoo – Lights Alive – MC for entertainment tent
• Kidney Foundation 2008 Door to Door Campaign
• Operation Red Nose – Navigator for 2006 Program
• Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee
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Franchisee/Owner IHOP
In January 1974 Shirley was a well-known statistic. She was a single mom on welfare with her two children aged two and four. While her parents were helping her set up her new apartment, she promised her dad that would not stay on welfare even though it would be a challenge only having a minimum High School Education.
One year and one month later Shirley’s career in the hospitality industry began in a family restaurant in Langley where she was a dishwasher for two days prior to quickly moving into a hostess position than onto a serving position. Her vision was simple, once trained to serve, she would receive gratuities over and above her wage which would be enough to feed her children and keep a roof over their heads.
A few months later Shirley was transferred to another restaurant and was asked to be head server in charge of evening and weekend’s staff and schedules. Though it did not pay more, it allowed her to expand her interests into the Management area. She gobbled up as many business seminars as possible and soon she made Assistant Manager and later Manager. She knew at that time that her dream was to own her own restaurant.
All during this time her two children were growing up – testing Shirley like all kids do - but they listened and trusted that she would always love and provide for them.
On April 2, 1987 (12 years later) Shirley’s dream came true. She opened the International House of Pancakes in Abbotsford as the Franchisee/Owner.
Shirley credits her employees for keeping her business alive, they work side by side every day and she is very grateful for them all. She has many long term employees, some that have been with her for over 12 years.
In 1997 her son entered into a business partnership with his mom (after working all facets of the restaurant), while her daughter now works in Public Health after 15 years as a successful dental hygienist.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Supplies pancake batter and syrup to local churches and groups to support their fundraising
• Supplies gift certificates, door prizes and sponsorships for community events such as the Abbotsford Police Challenge Run, Abbotsford Golf Tournament raising money for A.L.S. and Ducks Unlimited.
• Supports local athletics through sponsorships of baseball and hockey teams.
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Principal/Owner – Demal Services Inc.
With the arrival of her 10 year old special needs step daughter, Margaret’s passion to make a difference began. Navigating through the education and bureaucratic system over a ten year period helped her appreciate the value of persistence and the results of limited assistance.
From 1981 to 1986, Margaret worked for three different non-profit societies that served persons with disabilities.
Her transition into self-employment was prompted by the arrival of her daughter and a desire to be a stay-at-home mom for her daughter’s formative years as well as for her two step sisters who were 12 and 15 at the time.
In 1987 she became the principal/owner of Demal Services Inc., a consultation company that delivers employment and self-employment services to People with Disabilities.
As a consultant Margaret has developed entrepreneur programs to provide a work alternative for persons with disabilities; a business mentoring network to provide opportunities for small business owners with disabilities; a resource manual providing guidelines and procedures to the development of accessible and welcoming business services to entrepreneurs with disabilities; and a Employment Development Office for persons with disabilities;
Margaret has implemented a number of research projects including post secondary employment options and skill development needs for learning disabled and developmentally delayed students to promote job acquisition; a research project to determine the processes and local conditions affecting successful entry or re-entry into the workforce for people with disabilities; and a position paper discussing co-operative and business development.
For relaxation, Margaret reads, goes out for lunch with her two neighbours, and attends Northside Community Church, growing flowers, participating in exercising programs at Mission Recreation Centre and eating her 93 year old neighbour’s vegetables.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Access to Business Loans for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Advisory Committee – Vancity Savings Vancouver
• Chamber of Commerce (Mission and Abbotsford)
• Focus Disability Network Society – founder and executive director
• 2010 Access Works – VANOC Advisory
• Accessibility Social Development Advisory committee – Abbotsford
• OCP/Zoning Bylaw Project Steering Committee - Mission
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Part-Owner Wenting’s Cycles
After graduating from Grade 13, Lawrence Park Collegiate in Toronto, Ontario, in 1949, Peg immediately went to work at the Bell Telephone Company in Toronto and Thunder Bay, where she worked in the engineering department for over 10 years. Shortly after her departure from Bell, she made the move to Abbotsford in 1962.
From 1970 to 1975 Peg was a volunteer learning assistant with special needs children for the Abbotsford School District. Her success in this role led to a paid position with the School District, continuing to work with the children until she retired in 1997. During this time, Peg also took various courses, working with Mentally Handicapped and Learning Disable, Psychology 101 and English Literature.
Twenty-seven years ago, Peg and her husband bought a tiny bicycle repair shop (Wenting’s Cycles) for their son Doug to develop as a business. Doug was a top performing and passionate athlete in the sport of cycling. A few short months after purchasing the shop, while competing as a Canadian Team member, Doug was killed in a bicycle race in Ireland. Peg and her husband Bill hired someone to run the store during the days and they would arrive after their work day, Bill doing the repairs and Peg, the finances and purchasing. Three years later, Bill retired and the shop was moved to the North Railway Avenue location in Mission where it still stands today. Peg is now part-owner with her son Bruce and holds the title of office manager.
In addition to the retail sales of bicycles, clothing and accessories, Wentings Cycles organizes seasonal training and annual competitive road racings series. In 1998, the cycling club hosted the Canadian National Road Cycling Championships. Peg worked closely alongside her son, in making this event a huge success for the community. Officiating at the many cycling events has led Peg to qualification as a Certified Cycling Commissionaire. Due to her ability to plan cycling events she has held the role of Sport Chair for Cycling for the 1995 Western Canada Summer Games, Abbotsford 2004 BC Summer Games and the Abbotsford 2006 BC Senior Games.
In 1997 to 2001 Peg taught the course “English for Living and Working, to adults wanting to learn English as their second language. This course was offered through Human Resources Canada and was held at W.J. Mouat Secondary School.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Founding member and executive of Central Fraser Valley Cycle Club, now Phoenix Velo Training Group – 2003 - present
• Provincial Advisor to BC Summer and Winter Games for Cycling and Speed Skating
• Speed skating coach, Matsqui Blades and Sardis Fliers, 15 years
• PacificSport – Fraser Valley, founding member and Secretary of Board of Directors – 1996-2007
• School District #34 – 1970-1975 – learning assistant volunteer
• Community Health Council, Abbotsford
• Abbotsford Police Board – 2002-2004
• Operation Red Nose – 1996- present
• MSA Hospital Auxiliary
• Chairman, Red Cross Medical Equipment Loan Service
• Rich Hansen Wheels in Motion – chair of the inaugural event for the Rick Hansen Foundation
• Recipient of the Volunteer of the Year (City of Abbotsford)
• Recipient of the PacificSport Fraser Valley Builder Award
• Recipient of the Community Sport Hero Award (Sport BC)
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Please see the 2008 Ceremonies for winners and pictures of this wonderful event.
Requesting a Nomination Package
To nominate an outstanding woman in Mission or Abbotsford, please see about nomination information. We would be pleased to send you further information and/or a nomination package through regular or email.
All photos are copyright of the original artist at photoart by simpson,
a division of Clearbrook Photographic Arts Inc, and are used by permission.
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The Business & Professional Women's Club of Abbotsford
c/o 101 - 2001 McCallum Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 3N5
bpwabbotsford@gmail.com
Updated June 28 2010.
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