Orléans MPP Marie-France Lalonde celebrated International Women's Day on March 8 by hosting a breakfast at OCCO Kitchen on Innes Road and handing out 28 certificates to some of the riding's leading women and girls.

Among this year's recipients were MIFO president Tréva Cousineau; real estate agent and past president of the Rotary Club of Orléans, Teresa Whitmore; Théâtre du Village d'Orléans co-founder and president Pierrette Boisvert; and Orléans Community Garden president GIna Lapointe.

Orléans MPP Marie-France Lalonde presents a Leading Women, Leading Girls certificate to CECCE trustee Johanne Lacombe who brought her daughter Laurianne Cliche up for the presentation. Fred Sherwin/Photo

"Today, we were able to recognize 23 women and five girls who are improving the lives of others through community service and leadership. The recipients span multiple generations and are involved in an array of projects working to build our community," Lalonde said during her opening remarks.

Besides the ladies previously mentioned the other recipients include Amanda Antonitti, Amélie Trottier, Angelica Kalubiaka, Brigitte Pilon, Chantal Chatigny, Christine Marier, Claudèle Vézina, Dolores Côté, Emily Best, Emily Martin, Fernande Lavergne, Francine Vinet, Gina Lapointe, Huguette Lorrain, Jennifer Sondergaard, Jessica Goyette, Julia Kennedy, Louise Lagroix, Marie Charette, Monique Blais, Pankaj Chopra, Paulette Corbeil, Stella Ronan, and Valerie Assoi.

While the recipients are all outstanding in their own right, collectively they've volunteered thousands of hours of their time to a variety of organizations and causes including the Rendez vous des aînés d'Orléans, the Canada Day Seniors Bingo, and the Orléans Legion. The five student recipients were recognized for their volunteer work both inside the classroom and out.

Friends Claudèle Vézina, Emily Best and Julia Kennedy were recognized for the work they've done in supporting and helping to build the Petrie Island Canoe Club. Among other things they serve as coaching assistants, safety boat operators for the Special Olympics program as well as helping with the club's fundraising efforts.

The Leading Women, Leading Girls, Building Communities Recognition Awards were started by the pevious Ontario Liberal government. When they were canceled by the current Conservative government last year, Lalonde decided to continue the program on her own.

"We have a number of outstanding women and young girls in our community who are doing a lot of incredible things and they deserve to be recognized for everything they do and that's what we are doing today," said Lalonde, who plans to continue the program as long as she is the MPP.

Orléans MPP Marie-France Lalonde (centre) poses for a group picture with this year's recipients of Leading Women, Leading Girls Recognition Awards. Fred Sherwin/Photo

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)