International Women’s Day is coming up next month.
It will be celebrated during a special event at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites Olds in March.
The 2025 Mountain View & Neighbours Women In Business Awards Luncheon is set for March 7th and it will include six categories for the awards.
Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham, Kneehill County’s Division 5 Councillor, is a business owner in Three Hills and is an active volunteer and member of the Three Hills Chamber of Commerce.
She attended the inaugural edition of the event last year and was really impressed with it. Machell-Cunningham says “I think anytime that we’re able to get together and celebrate each other and the accomplishments that we’ve done. Just a really nice time to network and meet with other folks that are in business. I mean there’s joys and challenges to being in business, and like I said different specific challenges to being women in business. So just a great time to be together and just to celebrate each other.”
This year she will be presenting the award for Women in Agriculture, Agri-Business or Agri-Food Industries. Machell-Cunningham says “so the detail of that is the Women in Agriculture award celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of women who have made significant contributions to agriculture, agri-business, or agri-food as well as their communities. This award will honour individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and a dedication to empowering others serving as inspiring role models and pioneers for future generations of these industries.” She adds, “well I think agriculture for women has come a long way. Back in the day, a very important role, but tons of women would be home cooking the meals and looking after the children, which is super important but I think women now are playing more of a forefront role in this. They are owning businesses, they’re managing, leading business in agriculture. So I think it’s just really important that we take time to notice the changes, and highlight the changes and to celebrate the women that are really making a difference in this agriculture industry, which is so important to all our rural communities.”
Other categories include Woman of Influence, Woman in Hospitality and or Tourism, Woman in Business Newcomer, Woman in Energy, and Woman in Business For Profit, as well as Woman in Business Not-For-Profit.
Nominate deserving award candidates and learn more about the awards luncheon by visiting the Mountain View and Neighbours Women In Business Facebook page. Get your nominations in before February 21st.
Tickets for the 2nd annual event on Friday, March 7th cost $45 per person and you can get them by emailing MVANBusinessWomen@gmail.com.
International Women’s Day in 2025 is slated for Saturday, March 8th.
Listen to 96.5 The Ranch’s Community Hotline conversation with Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham.
