Five women from the Northwest Territories will receive a Wise Women Award this weekend.
The Status of Women Council has hosted the award since 1992, which recognizes women for their time, commitment and work in improving the lives of women and families in northern communities.
Winners this year come from Yellowknife, Aklavik, Fort Good Hope, Fort Smith and Fort Providence.
Dr. Pertice Moffitt of Yellowknife is this year’s recipient from the North Slave region.
Moffitt, who has a PhD in nursing, is manager of Health Research Programs at the Aurora Research Institute.
She told Moose FM the award has special meaning for her because of her upbringing.
“It just means so much to me partly because I grew up in a household of women. I’m in the middle of six girls with no brothers.”
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The awards will be handed out during a luncheon on Sunday, which also happens to be International Women’s Day.
“I’ve always worked for women’s issues. I think it’s a day when we recognize all women and we recognize the achievements of women in our lives,” said Moffitt.
“We also realize that we still don’t have equality for all women so I think we need to continue to be active and volunteer in our community.
“Some women around the world don’t have equality at all even when we think about girls who struggle to get an education.
“Yet women have been instrumental in peace and security around the world, networking and creating meaningful change.”
Moffitt and the four other recipients will receive their awards on Sunday at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre from 11:30am until 1:00pm.
The event is open to the public.
For a full list of this year’s winners, click here.
