(Pictured above: Shelley Haslett, Vernon Women in Business Woman of the Year 2010 holding the Woman of the Year trophy and wearing the Diamond Journey Pendant she now owns from Gregory's Fine Jewellery, event sponsor.)
Thursday, May 20, 2010 was the night that Shelley Haslett was awarded the 2010 Vernon Women in Business Woman of the Year honour.
The Woman of the Year Award recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of women in our community. The 23rd Annual Woman of the Year Gala was held at the Best Western Vernon Lodge. There were inspiring stories about each of the ten nominees.
Described as courageous and contagious, Shelley Haslett is married to Al and they have two daughters – Paige (25) and Colleen (21). Her community involvement over many years includes Chair of the School fun night, Brownie leader, Cancer Society Relay for Life, Adopt A Road program, NOYFFS Adopt a Family at Christmas, Hospice Christmas Home Tour, Bosom Buddies and President of Vernon Women in Business.
RCMP Staff Sergeant Margaret Shorter says, “I first met Shelley in the common room in the women’s dorm at the RCMP training academy [30 years ago]. After a few years with the RCMP, Shelley discovered Mary Kay and made a career choice to leave the Force. As she will tell you, she didn’t see the RCMP offering her the opportunity to have a free car and a diamond ring every year. Shelley is a people person and, while she was in the Force she made a good Mountie. She is also a person who dreams, believes, and achieves not only for herself but for anyone who will get on the magic carpet with her. She adds the fun to difficult challenges and celebrates the success of surviving them.”
President of Mary Kay, Ray Patrick writes, “Shelley has always conducted her business with enthusiasm and confidence, displaying the utmost in ethics in all she does.”
Shelley is a breast cancer survivor – - - twice. She is a member of Vernon Bosom Buddies who visits women at Vernon Jubilee Hospital shortly after surgery to offer encouragement and answer questions. Her Vernon Bosom Buddies friend Renee Smith writes: “We all enjoy her great sense of humour and appreciate her willingness to help in any way she can.”
Her husband Al writes, “I personally sat at her side for weeks during her two bouts with breast cancer. The courage and positive attitude this lady demonstrated would be enough to encourage and inspire anybody that was in her company to believe and realize attitude wins it all. There is only one Shelley Haslett who puts all others before herself and lights up a room with her smile and continuously encourages others through positive actions and reinforcement.”
Daughter Paige writes, “My mom has always been my mentor, my educator, my friend. As I start to become my own woman, I see more and more of my mother in me, and each day I realize that this is who I am now and I thank her for giving me every opportunity to discover that.”
Jan Shumay says, “North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society have benefited from Shelley’s caring spirit for many years. Shelley has made Christmas happen for many forgotten families, youth and young children. Shelley’s generosity makes a truck a necessity in delivering all the gifts. A true Woman of the Year sees her community as part of her responsibility, gives of her time skills and passion, and does it because she CAN. Shelley is truly that person.”
Nominees are considered based on the following:
1. Consistently displays and exercises leadership.
2. Demonstrates vision, initiative, creativity and courage.
3. Enriches and improves quality of life for others.
4. Has an impact in her chosen field.
5. Displays and sustains a continued commitment to her community.
6. Promotes and supports opportunities for females.
7. Has made Greater Vernon a better place to live.
The event is run by volunteers (including myself) made up of members
from Vernon Women in Business and is possible through generous
sponsorship from VWIB members and the community. (A company I run with
my husband, Rhino Curbing,
was a Platinum sponsor of this year's event.)
Shelley Haslett's acceptance speech showed her sense of humour. She told the crowd, "I would rather wear out than rust out." when referencing how she likes to keep busy. (This is a saying coined by a 2009 Nominee named Patricia Springborn.) Shelley said, "I haven't done anything big, but I've done a lot of little things." She thanked her parents, husband, sister and friends in the audience and said, "You can never have too many friends." She said, "All of the nominees were asked to prepare an acceptance speech. I thought that was just too presumptuous. Besides, I've never been stuck for words." She described how her husband Al was asked to prepare a letter of support. She was reading it over and she told him, "You're laying it on a bit thick aren't you?" and he replied, "You want to win don't you?" The crowd laughed.
Other nominees included: Cherie Montgomery, Kath Raeber, Samantha Plovie, Angela Yablonski, Cheryl Schmidt, Daina Bull, Deb Stoddard, Michelle Antonation, Sharon Mackenzie
Shelley volunteered on the Woman of the Year committee in 2009 and 2008 when I was the Chair of this event. Her contribution during those two years helped grow the event and I've been very blessed to call her a mentor and friend.
Thanks for reading,
Courtenay Pitcher, Fan of Shelley Haslett
2010 Woman of the Year Event Committee Member
2009 and 2008 Woman of the Year Event Chair
