Last year's winners of the Women of the Year awards praised the sponsors and organizers of the awards at a Legion Hall luncheon Monday to kick off nominations for 2003. This year's ceremony, to be held Tuesday, April 8, at McKenna Hall, will be the third year the awards have been presented.

"The awards are about encouraging and empowering women," said April Sampson, winner of the Quota International of Weyburn Community Service Award for 2002. "They are a reminder we can support women in the workplace and everywhere," she said.

Wendy Dammann, winner of the 2002 SaskPower Workplace Excellence Award, told the audience there are many dedicated and hard-working women in Weyburn and area who deserve the awards. "I hope these celebrations will continue for a very long time," she said.

Leslie Smith, winner of the 2002 Access Communications Exceptional Entrepreneur Award, noted the dramatic social change in one generation that now encourages women to move into the workplace. A strong group of women can do big things, she said.

Quota Club representative Val Wing, master of ceremonies for the lunch, announced that one more award has been added to the three presented last year. Investors Group of Weyburn has added the Young Woman of Distinction Award to last year's lineup.

"We know there are young women in the community who make a difference and we want them to be acknowledged," said Mike Hoffman, of Investors Group. The award will be presented to the woman between the ages of 18 and 30 who has made a significant contribution to the life of her community, and demonstrated leadership.

Wing told the audience the Quota Club takes pleasure in honouring the women of Weyburn and area. "In doing this project, we also raise community awareness of our club and the work we do locally. We are pleased that SaskPower and Access Communications continue to join us in this venture."

SaskPower donated $3,000 Monday toward the awards. Other sponsors include, Valleyview Petroleum, Jerry Mainil Ltd., Brady's House of Flowers, CIBC and Weyburn This Week, the Weyburn and District Multicultural Council, AM 1190, Dynamic Technologies, and Sun Country Health Authority.

Nomination forms and tickets for the awards lunch are available from any Quota International of Weyburn member, Hometown Furniture, and Dora's Ladies Wear. The deadline for submission of nominations is Wednesday, March 19. Regina mystery writer Gail Bowen will be the guest speaker.

Theresa Girardin, Linda Banerjee, and Mary Jane Pineo are awards co-chairs. Girardin said Monday a committee will select the four women winners from the nominations. "The awards acknowledge the contributions of women and provide us with an opportunity to raise funds for two worthwhile areas of service: disadvantaged women and children, and for hearing and speech-impaired persons," she said.