Five outstanding women and their energies.

by Dorothy Brotherton

Women of Distinction Awards were first held 28 years ago in Winnipeg. The Central Okanagan YMCA-YWCA launched the awards here in 2001. So far, the event has honoured 86 exceptional local women, from Peachland to Lake Country, and raised $87,000 to support programs for women and girls. Here are five who were Central Okanagan Women of Distinction and a profile of their passions:

Community - Shepherd's song

The car plunged into a dip in the rainswept Montreal street and disappeared under water. While others rescued the driver, Sharon Shepherd jumped from her car and directed traffic. The petite, middle-aged woman, umbrella in hand, without a word of French, used all the resources of body language to divert drivers from the flooded spot, until police arrived 45 minutes later.

The incident is classic Sharon Shepherd, awarded this year's Woman of Distinction Award for Lifetime Achievement. If people are in need, she jumps in. If a community - anywhere - is in trouble, she helps.

At home, Sharon is known as a determined Kelowna city councillor. She started in leadership in high school, university, and as a resident pharmacy fellow at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver. She married her high school sweetheart, Michael Shepherd, managed his medical office and volunteered as a liaison between the pharmacy profession and the University of British Columbia.

On sports fields she cheered her children, and on sports boards she advocated their causes. She chaired a parent advisory council and the South Slopes Neighbourhood Association.

"That's when I got interested in the political community. I waited to run for office until the kids were through school."

Sharon's in her third council term, known as a champion of the environment and youth. "We don't give enough recognition to children and youth in our community," she said earnestly, hazel eyes flashing. She supports CASEY, the Community Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth, and CATCH, Community Action Team for Children's Health.

Sharon names her husband, "my lifetime friend." They reserve Friday nights for dates, usually a show and dinner. Sharon isn't a fan of horror or science fiction, but likes movies that "leave you with an interesting perspective."

Sean and Nicole, both grown, are Sharon's joy. "My kids - they were my life, and still are. I'm most proud of my family and my relationship with my spouse. That gives me strength to go on."

Sharon has no shortage of ideas to help her community. "So many areas in the city need garden beautification. I'll always support causes such as bike lanes, air quality, and help for the mentally challenged and disabled. If I retire from civic politics I'm not going away."

People - Wills' wealth

Jennifer Wills' blue eyes dance, her blond hair swings, and her smile flashes as she talks about people in her life. Among achievements for which she was named Young Woman of Distinction, is presidency of Junior Chamber International - Okanagan.

"Passion about what I do and pride in accomplishment, yes - but it's the phenomenal people in my life who give me the drive," said Jennifer.

Topping her list is Jennifer's nominator, Dr. Kyleen Myrah, a university professor, Jaycee, and mother of two preschoolers. "She has this ability to master it all so calmly."

Jennifer names "every single Junior Chamber member," a group of motivated, successful women, who never fail to energize her. She's awed by the scope of their personalities and life experiences.

Jennifer grew up in Oliver, earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from Okanagan University College in 1999, and jumped into volunteering. She landed a job as a pharmaceutical sales representative with Janssen-Ortho, a division of Johnson and Johnson, a result of Chamber networking.

Sports hold a challenge for Jennifer that counterpoints career and volunteerism. Soccer, her favourite, demands exertion that releases the tension of sedentary hours.

A life motto, "To get good, you do good," inspires her. Because "phenomenal people" in her life have meant so much, Jennifer has a hope: "If someone, sometime, looks to me and says, she was a phenomenal person in my life, that will fill me up."

Education - Springate's spirit

The gentle exterior doesn't tell all about Dr. Joyce Springate, 2005 Woman of Distinction for Community Leadership and Volunteerism. This is a gutsy, determined, independent soul.

At age 14, in hometown Calgary, she lied about her age and got a job, at $5 for 12 hours work, to save for university. "When I got accepted to university, Dad told me I couldn't go. My brother wanted to be a doctor and there was no money for two." Disappointment stuns her expression decades later.

"I didn't really want to be a nurse, but I could get an education by nursing. In the long run, it's been good." She got her RN, married and had a son and daughter.

Joyce credits much of her advancement to Dr. Jackie Peichenis. As a young hospital nurse Joyce was asked to be a clinical instructor. On her first day with students, Peichenis asked if she felt nervous, and Joyce admitted, "I'm scared to death." The doctor came along until Joyce felt confident. Later, Peichenis urged her to go to university. Joyce took one course, but with small children she realized the timing was wrong.

She told her mentor, "I promise when my kids don't need me anymore, I'll go to university." When her son went to university, she went along. Peichenis was there when Joyce got her bachelor's in 1983, master's through a $20,000 Alberta Medical Trust scholarship, and doctoral degree in 1995.

Joyce set up an Alberta education system for people who work with older adults, eventually taking the program across Canada.

In mid-life, Joyce earned a doctoral degree through Nova South Eastern University, using her work place for a laboratory. It was rigorous and expensive, but Joyce persisted with typical doggedness.

In 1996 she married Gordon Springate of Okanagan College. Her interest in medicine continues from her home set in a Westside garden paradise. This is the lady behind the Canadian Health Network, an on-line resource that took 18 months to set up. Now she teaches a masters of health sciences program for on-line Athabasca University. Her 19 students come from coast to coast.

Both her children hold Ph.D. degrees. "The kids didn't know any better. Everyone we knew went to university."

Beyond education and teaching, Joyce has volunteered for more than 34 years. Recently, for the Westside Health Network, Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association and the Victorian Order of Nurses. She was recognized in 2002 with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

Home - Paine's passion

Laugh lines decorate Alison Paine's face. She laughs easily, and talks with flowing words urged along by expansive gestures.

Winner of the Women of Distinction Award for Career Leadership, Alison directs communications and health promotion for the Interior Health Authority. She's best known for her years as host of the CBC morning show, Daybreak, and her CBC work across Canada in radio and television.

Alison doesn't see her achievements as a struggle, rather, plain fun. "When you find something enjoyable that also comes naturally, it's possible to devote lots of time and energy. When you struggle in a field you are not interested in, that's hard."

Alison earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of Western Ontario, bought a ticket to Toronto and asked for an appointment with the CBC's head of English radio, Joan McDonald (now deceased.)

Amazingly, she got it.

Her work with Interior Health is similar to journalism. Although on the other side of the microphone, she's still in the business of helping people understand complex issues.

But Alison's passion is not about career. It is her family, three sons, ages 19, 16 and 13. "Despite my career drive, my children's welfare is my guiding principle. They are just great, - positive, active, good boys." A few years ago, when she went through a painful divorce, the children's welfare became her focus.

On the side, Alison continually works on an old house. "I love to get a lovely old house with good bones and bring it alive." A house needs a frame, so gardening became another hobby. Alison's vision is clarified by her family. "I want my children to be happy, healthy, responsible adults. They are well on their way. My main focus is to ensure their happiness as much as I can."

Work that makes a meaningful contribution is more important, said Alison, than owning an expensive car or house. "It's not material things that drive me. I'm more interested in the feeling of comfort and warmth."

Health - Melanson's mission

A stream of homeless people comes for dental care at the Kelowna Gospel Mission, because of the work of Sharon Melanson, named Woman of Distinction for Health, Wellness and Active Living.

It started with calls from people desperate in pain, asking, "How do I get care?" Sharon fielded the calls as the community dental hygienist for Kelowna's Interior Health Authority.

Dental care is not covered by government health insurance. Many people have insurance through employment or private companies, but others may be in trouble. Imagine yourself in pain because of dental problems, challenged Sharon. You have no insurance. When the pain gets bad enough, where do you go? Hospital emergency ward personnel can prescribe antibiotics and pain killers, but can't treat tooth problems.

"The ER has become a revolving door for many." Sharon learned some treat themselves with alcohol and drugs, or resort to pulling their own teeth. "We don't expect that to have to happen in our society."

After four years of work by Sharon and her group of volunteers, doors opened at the Mission in 2004. "It's a clinic for the relief of pain and infection for people who can't afford treatment." Dentists donate time, and funds comes from a National Homelessness Initiative grant. Sharon's nominators said her "determination, perseverance and outstanding diplomatic skills kept the clinic dream alive despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles."

Sharon's job at Interior Health focuses on prevention and treatment for reliant people, such as children and elderly in long-term care. She speaks to young moms, explaining dental health. She goes into schools to do screening and surveillance.

Big needs in dental care exercise Sharon's concern. As an adult, if you can't pay and don't have insurance, the only way to get dental care is to get on welfare. "There are people with all their teeth extracted who can't afford dentures." Sharon's frustration shows through.

Her vision turns to dreams: "In a perfect world we would not have so many issues with dental care. We should not be scrambling like this to help people out."

The year 2005 is the last year the Central Okanagan Women of Distinction Awards are taking place.