More than 100 people attended the sold-out 12th annual , on Saturday, March 9 at the 91原创 Golf & Banquet Centre.

Kate Ludlam, Kellie Reynolds, and Nora Truman were recognized as women of distinction for their heroic efforts and community service.

Ludlam, executive director of the 91原创 Seniors Resource Centre, was praised for building an inclusive workplace culture by leading a strategic planning process that identified a need for inclusiveness in the organization.

鈥淚t鈥檚 such an honor,鈥� Ludlam commented.

鈥淚鈥檝e worked in the charitable sector for over 30 years, and every organization I鈥檝e worked at, I have partnered with a Rotary club. So to have this recognition come from Rotary is really really special for me.鈥�

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Behind the scenes, Reynolds, the accountant for the 91原创 Rotary Clubs Charitable Foundation and the Rotary Club of 91原创 Sunrise, has been a crucial part of the success of Ribfest 91原创 and 91原创 Rotary 50/50 Mega Draw, which raised more than $300,000 in 2023.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great honor,鈥� Reynolds said.

鈥淭here are so many women in 91原创 that do so good, and I鈥檓 just honored to be one of those persons recognized today.鈥�

Truman is vice president of the Brookswood Seniors Centre, a director of the Arboretum and Botanical Society as well as secretary of 91原创 Field Naturalists, and a member of the Rotary Club of 91原创, serving as the liaison for the International Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group.

鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 contributing to my community,鈥� Truman explained.

鈥淢y parents both volunteered and I just feel that I should volunteer at least some of my time. It sort of helps you expand your knowledge and your skills and makes friends for you as well.鈥�

Keynote speaker Taylin McGill, the described how, at just 10 days old, she .

鈥淪o that led to 14 brain surgeries and me being in a coma,鈥� McGill summarized.

鈥淚 always say my motto [is] never give up.鈥�

Her mother, Erin recalled 鈥渢here was a period of time when we were in an ambulance every three months, racing to Children鈥檚 Hospital to save Taylin鈥檚 life. So the fact that she鈥檚 here, and she鈥檚 working in her own job, and she鈥檚 inspiring others, is truly a miracle.鈥�

Her father, Sean, said his youngest daughter has never given up.

鈥淪he works hard every day, and harder than most of us do, and has an amazing outlook on life. And we can all adopt a bit of that. We鈥檇 be better off, for sure.鈥�

Taylin鈥檚 older sister Kheya couldn鈥檛 be there, but her grandmothers, Renee Davis and Audri McGill were present with her parents to hear her speak.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the Go Girl program of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, explained organizer Annette Borrows, a past Rotary Club president.

鈥淲e have not done the final tally but we have no doubt we made the $3500 we aimed for,鈥� Borrows said after the event.

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