WIB grads celebrate achievements

by Jacqueline Lawrence

Apr 16, 2008

Photos by Jacqueline Lawrence

CONGRATULATIONS. Thirty-eight women graduated from YWCA Muskoka’s Women in Business program this year. The grads celebrated their achievements April 8 at Club One. Bracebridge graduates included (from top left to right): Blaire Henshaw, Tina Hamblin, Julie Vachon, Carolyn Fournier, Jane Reiger, Ann Marie Touesnard, Brenda Payton, Kathie Newlove, Stacy Bell, Linda Meeks, Dawna Brown and Catherine MacDonald.

Thirty-eight local women are opening exciting new chapters in their lives after successfully completing YWCA Muskoka’s Women in Business course last week.

The course, which is offered in Bracebridge, Huntsville and Gravenhurst, offers more than 200 hours of learning that combines business and personal skills to enable women to explore options leading to greater economic independence.

To date, more than 228 women have completed the program. Forty per cent of them chose to operate their own businesses in Muskoka.

Among this year’s graduates are aspiring writers, photographers, teachers and home-care providers. Others are launching businesses in wine-importing, cake and chocolate making, and pet-sitting.

MaryAnne Marshall, a previous graduate of the Women in Business program, told grads during an April 8 ceremony how the program impacted her life. Marshall owns and operates Muskoka Massage Therapy in Gravenhurst. The Women in Business course, she said, helped her find the necessary skills to take her business to the next level.

“Business is booming,” Marshall said, crediting the program for the organization and goal-setting skills she acquired. “Now, I have such a sense of accomplishment and pride in what I’m doing.”

Also addressing graduates was Sherry Lawson, a member of the Mnjikaning First Nation and director of corporate affairs and public relations at Casino Rama. Lawson, a published author and former Justice of the Peace, encouraged graduates to stay true to themselves by doing what they love.

“Don’t fight who you’re supposed to be, who you know you really are,” said Lawson.

Lynda Hutt, WIB program co-ordinator, said the Women in Business course has been so well received that YWCA Muskoka is now working on a new version of the course for men.

The organization is planning to also expand into educational programming for young boys. A pilot program is expected to be launched soon at Bracebridge Public School.

Women in Business is funded in part through the Ontario Women’s Directorate and offered in partnership with the Town of Huntsville and the Town of Gravenhurst.

The next sessions of Women in Business will begin in October 2008.

For more information on the program, contact Lynda Hutt at 645-9827 or wib@ywcamuskoka.com.