Local women celebrate achievements
Wednesday March 10, 2010
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Cobar’s inspirational women: Mayor Lilliane Brady and guest speaker Catalina Florez handed out awards to Cobar women to mark International Women’s Day, Dorothy Blacker at a special luncheon on Monday at the Cobar
Memorial Services Club.
Around 150 locals gathered on Monday to celebrate being a woman as part of International Women’s Day.
Mayor Lilliane Brady led the proceedings, handing out awards to two local “inspiring” women.
Ann Evans was recognised for being “most courageous”, while Dorothy Blacker was given the award for Cobar’s Woman of the Year.
“She has worked so hard for the Country Women’s Association, the Lilliane Brady Village and more over the years.
“Mrs Blacker is still out there selling tickets and raising funds,” Cr Brady said.
Accepting the award, Mrs Blacker said Cobar is home to so many wonderful women, and that she is “proud to be a Cobar woman”.
Mrs Evans, who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, said she was shocked to be receiving an award.
She paid tribute to Cobar residents in her acceptance speech.
“If you ever get sick, don’t leave Cobar.
“It’s home to the nicest, kindest people you will ever come across,” Mrs Evans said.
Guest speaker Catalina Florez, a Prime News reporter whose family migrated from Colombia when she was an infant, spoke about the theme of International Women’s Day for 2010— ‘Empowering women to end world poverty’.
She said the day was also about celebrating “who we are and what we contribute to the world as women”.
Ms Florez explained her background as a journalist, and how she is admires the women in her family.
“I get inspired by my mum, my sisters and my grandmother.
“In Colombia the poverty is overwhelming and the class difference is huge.
“Each year at Easter my grandmother (in Colombia) opens her home and cooks meals for the poor,” Ms Florez said.
She said she was motivated to try to make a difference following her first visit back to Colombia when she was 15.
“I started a social justice group at school to raise money for charities and that group still exists at the school,” Ms Florez said.
“I wanted to give a voice to the less fortunate and I’m still working on my way to make a difference.
She urged local women to stand up for what they believe in.
“You have your own way of contributing.
“Ordinary women can do big things for society,” Ms Florez said.
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