Women with a global spirit

Every year International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8. It is a global initiative that raises awareness of women's achievements big and small.

However, for St. Albert Baha'i, the global event takes on a personal face as it highlights the accomplishments of five local women who frequently go the extra mile in helping others reach their potential.

Of the 12 nominations submitted for 2017, the finalists are: pianist/teacher/producer Nancy Watt; Aboriginal dancer Sage Arcand; community volunteer Jeanine Chalifoux; service provider Misty Featherley, and visual artist Moriganagh McNally.

Whether they realize a personal ambition or see a need and fill it, each woman acknowledges the importance of being bold for change.

They will be honoured with more than just a pat on the back at a special ceremony on Saturday, March 4 at Cornerstone Hall.

"They have gone above and beyond the call of duty. They are so selfless and do not do it for recognition. They do it for love of community," said Mitra Taef, Baha'i committee spokesperson.

Morinville Mayor Lisa Holmes, a 2015 award winner for mentoring youth, will give the keynote speech.

"We chose her because she cares about female empowerment. She encourages young girls on focusing on what needs to be done and what you want to do. She's so young, but has already received other forms of recognition. She's an amazing woman," Taef noted.

Nancy Watt

Pianist/teacher/producer

Nancy Watt embodies elegance, poise, graciousness and the natural ability to immediately put people at ease.

These are the qualities we expect of a political First Lady and Watt, as a First Lady of St. Albert's musical scene, displays them in spades.

Watt never expected to receive a nomination for the International Women's Day Awards.

"I was surprised and touched to know that the things I do and commit my time to are valued by people in the community and that's very special," said Watt.

Eager to share her passion for music with youth and kindred spirits, she joined the St. Albert and Area Teachers Piano Teachers' Association upon moving to the city in 1997.

She spent six years on the executive, two as its chair. Her dedication to music and organizational skills made her an obvious choice to co-produce StArts Fest, a weekend arts celebration championed by the province.

The Mayor's Celebration of the Arts Gala and Awards grew out of this newbie fest and Watt chaired the gala for five years elevating the profile of many deserving artists.

In partnership with the late Don Vaugeois, Watt also created the St. Albert Chamber Music Society and Keys for the City, a project that places refurbished pianos on streets for the public to play and enjoy.

And the chamber music society, now in its seventh season, successfully nurtures emerging students and showcases the artistry of top tier classical musicians.

"I have a commitment to invest in the community I live in. To me community service spills over into everyone's lives. When you organize activities, it builds networks and enriches the community. I feel a need to be part of that and build our community," she noted.

But in reflecting on past achievements, teaching gives the mother of two adult daughters the greatest gratification.

"I've been teaching since I was 21 and that's what brings me satisfaction and pride – to know and nurture young people. It's not just about learning music skills, but they learn discipline and solving problems."

Sage Arcand

Youth Aboriginal Advocate

Intelligent and eager to take on the world, Sage Arcand's life goal is to first obtain a law degree and eventually a seat on the judges' bench.

"I feel as a Native person we don't get the right amount of justice we deserve or want. I'm doing it for my people. I believe the system is unfair to our people and I want to make changes," said Arcand.

As a lifetime resident of Alexander Reserve, culture and heritage are a driving force influencing her personal choices. While still a high school student at Morinville Community High School, she organized a sweat lodge field trip for classmates with the help of her grandfather, Roy Arcand, a medicine man.

"My English teacher (Cathy Whittal-Williams) opened up her mind and became a firm believer in our ways as did my classmates," Arcand said.

The MacEwan University first year arts student was first immersed in native culture as a dancer during her toddler years, and grew up learning the traditional spiritual and ceremonial dances.

She competed three times at internationally celebrated Gathering of Nations PowWow, the largest event of its kind held in North America, at Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"I take a lot of pride in being a dancer. It makes me feel like who I am," said the 2013 Esquao Award recipient. The Esquao Awards is a provincial ceremony celebrating notable, noteworthy women's contributions.

"I had no idea I was nominated. To be nominated is special. When I was nominated for the Esquao Awards, I was really honoured. And it's happening again. To be nominated a second time makes you feel as if you're making a difference."

Jeanine Chalifoux

Community Volunteer

One of the defining characteristics of community volunteer Jeanine Chalifoux is deeply-rooted modesty. She is one those wonderful individuals who quietly goes about getting things done while others debate about it.

Her selfless spirit is present in the artwork at Morinville's St. Jean Baptiste parish and as a founding member of the Morinville Arts Club.

She also juggled family responsibilities with numerous volunteer hours spent on sustaining the Morinville Historical and Cultural Society, the St. Jean Baptiste Festival and the now defunct Frontier Days, a heritage event similar to Edmonton's Klondike Days.

"It's quite an honour. Not everyone gets to be nominated," Chalifoux said of the International Women's Day Awards.

But true to form, she's a bit nervous about preparing a three to five minute speech all recipients are required to give.

"Mine will be short and sweet," laughs Chalifoux.

A devout and responsive member of the Roman Catholic Church, her most enduring work is the church painting The Way of the Cross and its 14 stations.

"It took two months to complete. I would go in during the daytime and after supper. If I stayed late, my husband would come to the church and say 'Come home.' But once you start something, you hate to let it go and you try to finish it."

A founding member of the local arts club, she was its president for 32 years and is now in the treasurer's role.

And from the late sixties to the early eighties, the mother of two daughters was involved in various aspects of Frontier Days organizing the parade and entertaining crowds as part of a five-woman kick line.

"It's made for some interesting years."

Misty Featherley

Service Champion

Misty Featherley is a good example of how kindness and caring can have a wide-ranging impact.

In addition to being the first Morinville Public School Trustee, Featherley co-founded the Morinville's Marvellous Moms Adopt-a-Family Christmas program and fosters young children with a goal to becoming a parent.

"There's got to be a safe haven for kids while their parents get healthy. And I believe in building relationships with a biological family that creates a better situation," said Featherley.

At the moment she is raising six children from nine months to 13 years, a comfortable blend of biological, adopted and foster children. While some parents feel stressed out raising two children, Featherley takes six in stride.

"It's pretty crazy. But you get a slow, gradual crazy with each child that comes in-house. When it's gradual, you adjust with each child."

In addition to caring for six children and working as a school trustee, Featherley's spreads compassion at Christmas to families that have fallen through the cracks.

"We reach out to the citizens, the Morinville council and businesses, and they have been amazing. The hampers we give out are amazing. We try to give to as many families as we can, a good Christmas."

She believes that as her children grow older, there will be more volunteer opportunities.

"The award makes me feel more inspired to keep going so I can be somebody else's inspiration. Now I'm motivated to do the award justice."

Moriganagh McNally

Unsung Heroine

Moriganagh McNally pretty much flies under the radar, yet the St. Albert resident has been one of the Festival of Trees most sought-after artists helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars.

A modest individual, McNally is a visionary visual artist expressing a creative flair that speaks loudly and boldly.

For more than 15 years, the girl-next-door artist has donated as many as three pieces of art in a single festival with each requiring as much as 100 hours of time.

During this time, she was awarded more than 45 ribbons, most first place finishes with everything from Best Artwork to People's Choice.

One year the Festival of Trees commissioned her to design nine dresses with headpieces for a fashion show, and another year she constructed a six-layer fruitcake.

Back in 2000, McNally first decided to donate one of her creations, a white jewelled crane with hockey sticks for legs. Winning first place encouraged her to contribute.

Two years later Brick founder Bill Comrie, estimated at be worth half a billion dollars, snapped up a playful papier mâché bird built with legs from hockey sticks and blades as wings.

For McNally creating is a way to assist those in dire straits. One year her mother had a stroke and did not reach a hospital until two and one-half hours after its onset. Today she is severely paralyzed.

At the 2016 Festival of Trees, organizers fundraised for a Stroke Ambulance and McNally donated three pieces of art, a clear motivation for helping those in need.

Coincidentally, McNally's birthday is the same day as International Women's Day. Happy birthday Moriganagh, and thank you.