Peterborough - INSPIRE: The Women's Portrait Project

Abeer Al-Salihi

Compassionate • Inspirational • Optimistic

I am a Syrian Woman and I chose Canada and made it my family final destination. I am a Muslim woman and proud of my colourful hijabs. I am a wife of a lovely Iraqi man and a mom of 2 kids who are teaching me new things every day. I am an engineer and… Continue reading

Alison Austin

Resilient • Gracious • Genuine

I like to think that I started life as a framed picture in my mothers’ suitcase, on her way to England, to share the news that she and my dad had just adopted a baby girl with family and friends. My mom said that that picture, me in a dress with a piecrust collar (all… Continue reading

Allison Laming

Funny • Determined • Loyal

I am made up of pieces of all the people I love. I think about how lucky I am to have this life with the people that I share it with. I recently had the opportunity to meet an old friend for coffee. It had been more than 4 years since we had seen each… Continue reading

Amanda Nichols

Bubbly • Amazing • Passionate

Ever since I can remember, I have LOVED being at the fire station. I love the smells, the sounds, the people, the family, the job. Like my Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather before me I wanted to be a part of something bigger and more special than me. I wanted to leave this world better… Continue reading

Amber Rimmer

Outgoing • Compassionate • Strong

Today I am the mother of a wonderful, kind hearted, strong spirited, young lady who seems to have an old soul and in which we call our rainbow baby. We fought hard to bring her into this world and when I allowed myself to bond completely with her around 5 months; I was asking her… Continue reading

Anne Arnold

Courageous • Giving • Compassionate

I have always believed in giving more than you receive and have always given back to my community. I was raised to always be kind to others and to go one step more when helping a friend. Just over a year and a half ago I lost the love of my life, my husband Gord.… Continue reading

Anne Driscoll

Strength • Beauty • Grace

Three words my husband inscribed on a keepsake gift, after watching me at my father’s funeral. Three words I have embraced throughout our lives together; over 41 years and counting. It has not always been an easy road; while our lives included cherished ups, we weathered many devasting downs. I remember the day we made the… Continue reading

Ashley Buck

Compassionate • Motivated • Giving

My names Ashley Buck, I’m 23 years old, and I grew up on a farm in Norwood Ontario. At the age of nine I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and had to spend a lot of time at Sick Kids Hospital. A disease that was hard on me for many years, ended up inspiring and… Continue reading

Barbara Ryder

Creative • Focused • Thoughtful

” I stand with charcoal in hand and move my arm in sweeping motions across the page. This is how my brush stroke begins; practiced and honed through the years. Poetry comes in gushes; just before dawn. I feverishly jot it down with pen and paper that I have placed by my bed and edit… Continue reading

Billi Balment

Compassionate • Determined • Resilient

“INSPIRE – The Women’s Portrait Project ” popped up on my Facebook page and I thought ” how intriguing!” So I clicked and began reading. As I read, I was introduced to the real women behind the many faces I had recognized and some new faces too. I found myself thinking “WOW” what a… Continue reading

Brenda Tapp

Adventurous • Passionate • Caring

I grew up living a very quiet life. As a child, I spent afternoons riding my bicycle along my street, climbing the tree in my front yard, and exploring the forest behind Highland Heights Public School. It instilled in me a sense of adventure for my small world on Hemlock Street. I was an avid… Continue reading

Brianna Gosselin

Sarcastic • Funny • Honest

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton Art has always been my haven. The place where no matter where I am in life. or what I’m going through, offers peace. I am an Intuitive Artist currently residing in Peterborough, Ontario with my English cocker spaniel named… Continue reading

Bridget Leslie

Kind • Fun • Determined

At the age of 46 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Luckily for me a new drug has just been approved in Ontario which targeted my HER2 positive diagnosis. Herceptin saved my life. With the support of my close friends and loving family I survived surgery, 8 rounds of chemo, 16 Hercepton, and 25 radiation… Continue reading

Brittany Cameron

Humanitarian • Inspiring • Victorious

I describe myself as an HIV Positive Mother, Wife, LGTBQ* Ally, Intactivist and Human Rights Activist. In addition to being a loving mother to three children, I am in a committed long term relationship with my partner who is HIV Negative. I came to Peterborough in November of 2005 to escape the streets, sex work… Continue reading

Carissa McIntyre

Passion • Gratitude • Phoenix

My name is Carissa McIntyre. I am an author, and the mother of 3 beautiful children. I have called Peterborough my home for over a decade now, and it’s a wonderful place, filled with incredible people; people who have helped me completely rebuild and recreate my life, and I am very grateful for every single person I have… Continue reading

Carlotta James

Passionate • Energetic • Friendly

Present…Life in Peterborough: I am passionate about re-wilding urban greenspaces and creating pollinator pathways as a way of supporting resilient ecosystems and contributing towards a rich urban biodiversity in our city. For most of my life, I have been committed to community building projects, to protecting the natural environment, and to empowering citizens to develop… Continue reading

Carol Lawless

Spiritual • Creative • Inspiring

Spiritual I grew up in a family that prayed to St. Anthony when you lost something. After failing my driver’s exam twice because I couldn’t master the parallel park, my mother told me to pray to St. Jude. “He’s the saint of impossible causes.” When I couldn’t get pregnant I asked my mother who I… Continue reading

Catherine Hanrahan

Workhorse • Brave • Forward Thinking

Workhorse In my adult life, I have never had just one 40 hour a week, 9-5 job. A friend of mine called me a workhorse and it rubbed me the wrong way at first, as if it were a phase in life that I had to get past. In my 20s, I worked long hours… Continue reading

Cathy Svetec

Passionate • True to Myself • Just Do it

I have often been called passionate, apparently due to the way in which I speak, coach and raise my children. My inspiration started with my parents. My father suffered a brain injury when I was 13 and life changed forever. I watched my mother take over as his caregiver and our family support system. She… Continue reading

Chelsea Lockhart

Determined • Honest • Caring

I am very grateful to be apart of the Inspire Project, and to be among some great women in our community. Family is a big part of who I am, and they have always been supportive no matter what adventure I pursue. I grew up in Toronto then moved to Burleigh Falls with my parents Jim and… Continue reading

Cheryll Dancey

Patient • Active • Strong-Willed

I’ve been thinking long and hard about what to write for my bio, the truth is there’s so much behind who I am today that it could never possibly fit into 300 words.. so I’ll start with how I got here. About 2 1/2 years ago a, for lack of a better word… toxic relationship… Continue reading

Christine Teixeira P Eng.

Loyal • Genuine • Diligent

A few years ago, I found myself at a crossroads: continue in my engineering career or follow my dream of entrepreneurship. I had wanted to start my own business for some time, but was struggling with figuring out when to take the leap. It was a risk to leave a successful full-time career and jump… Continue reading

Christine Watts

Resilient • Strong • Compassionate

I must admit, when I found out I was nominated for Inspire, I was surprised! To be included amongst this group of fantastic women is a great honor! I also found it quite a challenge to write about myself. What do I write? So, here it goes….. As a kid, I was fortunate enough to grow… Continue reading

Cindy Windover

Fun • Thoughtful • Community-Builder

A few years ago, I described myself as the small-town girl who’s never left her small town, and I’m totally ok with that. And …. I LOVE shoes ! Like, I mean LOVE, LOVE, LOVE shoes or boots ! I’ve never met a pair I didn’t like. I grew up surrounded… Continue reading

Clea Charette

Courageous • Creative • Curious

I love to create natural products for you to enjoy. As a child my siblings would find it curious that I wanted receipt machines and cash registers instead of “toys”. I created a homemade lemonade stand at age 7 and I was on my way to selling things. I was raised organically… Continue reading

Colleen Carruthers

Thought-Provoking • Insightful • Creative

I moved to Peterborough from Toronto about 18 years ago and my life changed drastically. While living in Toronto I provided corporate training in developing teams, conflict management, communication skills and coaching, as well as I ran my private therapy practice. I thought I was living a satisfied life until I moved here and became… Continue reading

Cora Whittington

Intuitive • Insightful • Inspirational

I was 18 when my sister passed away with a rare bone disease. Her funeral was her 16th birthday. An experience like this at that age can’t help but affect you profoundly. It started me on a lifelong journey of working with people move through and beyond their suffering, no matter the cause. Six months… Continue reading

Coralie Jacobs

Compassionate • Determined • Fearless

You would think being told to talk about yourself would be an easy task….. I just don’t know where to begin !! Okay, “the basics”, here we go! I grew up in Peterborough, a proud Lady Eaton Grad from Omemee, to full spirited Crestwood Mustang. I went to University and travelled the world, to find myself… Continue reading

Crystal Jessup

Energetic • Personable • Motivated

I think I have the best career in the world and I’m certain my opinion is biased but I’m a photographer and I love to photograph happiness along with everything else for that matter. Emotion captivates me and I strive to create artistic and dreamy images that capture candid moments. I focus on the little… Continue reading

Danielle Dickenson

Dedicated • Resourceful • Authentic

I had a great deal of trouble writing this bio. Ask me to write an article, social media post, or new office policy and I’m all over it. But to write about myself? Well that’s difficult. I try to live my best life. I work hard, I try to help everyone at all times as… Continue reading

Danielle French

Creative • Driven • Authentic

I moved to the Bethany Hills from Toronto with my four daughters, Carlyle, Grace, Olivia, and Aubrey Rose and our dog Mollie. It seemed like a good thing to do – we were ensconced in the city and I thought if I had any chance getting them to experience rural life, then it was the… Continue reading

Debbie Carriere

Serene • Pensive • Courageous

I have worked at the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough since 2012. It is impossible to work here without becoming a passionate advocate for the mission. Every day I have the pleasure of interacting with women who courageously invite us to walk along with them on their journey. Every woman’s story filled with unbelievable courage,… Continue reading

Deborah Miller

Honest • Knowledgeable • Quirky

All of the pieces, good and not so good, fit together. Hold me together. My puzzle is incomplete. My lifelong quest for knowledge affords challenges and changes the structure of my being. Alternate perspective and solutions are sought in unusual places. Though I seek to evolve, my foundation corner pieces remain intact. I am ambitious,… Continue reading

Dr. Neera Jeyabalan

Introspective • Resilient • Compassionate

My family left my native country of Sri Lanka for Zambia when I was a child. A civil war made it impossible to return to Sri Lanka so, Canada became home. A mere four years after arriving in Canada, my father passed away. I was just a teen and my dear mother was left to… Continue reading

Dr. Shegufa Shetranjiwalla-Merchant

Positive • Optimistic • Smiling

As I marked one of my student’s assignments, I was struck by one answer. It reminded me of me when I was a graduate student just a few years ago. It reminded me of the journey that I had taken from India as a young woman onto Kuwait to evolve as a wife and mother… Continue reading

Elizabeth Rahman

Accepting • Empathetic • Compassionate

My pride and joy are my two children and four grandchildren. I love the fact that a small part of us lives on in our offspring, so we are in a way immortal. My passion is working in the multifaith community. I love spending time with people of faith (any faith)…. They feed my soul!… Continue reading

Ellen Stewart

Kind • Inspirational • Energetic

With age comes wisdom, that much I know is very true. If only I knew then what I know now, my life would be different. Our experiences shape us, life’s up and downs make us who we are. I am who I am by the choices I have made and the circumstances that resulted from… Continue reading

Emily Ferguson

Authentic • Aspirational • Unafraid

When I read the word “extraordinary” used to describe the women who are part of this project, a lump forms in my throat… I cannot see myself here. When I read their astonishing bios and realize their tremendous achievements, that lump in my throat gets bigger…. How on earth can I even be considered? These women… Continue reading

Gail Moorhouse MCP & MSTS #6269021

Passion • Compassion • Connections

I am often asked “Where did you come from?” as if I arrived out of the blue. So this is who I am. I am content to be working in the background and for many years that is what I did. I served as a board member for many organizations, but it was Community… Continue reading

Glenda Bromell

Positive • Strong • Caring

Out of darkness into light is an apt description of my lifetime journey. Early abuse and neglect resulted in great pain, anger and fear, the three hallmarks of codependency, also called “relationship addiction”. The long road out of that abyss started when I accepted Jesus into my life in 1984. I began to study the… Continue reading

Grace Mahoney

Creative • Encouraging • Eclectic

I am addicted to growth. The more opportunities I have to encourage it the happier I am. I live for change. If it isn’t working how can I make it work. I love a challenge as long as it doesn’t include running. I make meaning. Everything I create tells a story. I see potential. I… Continue reading

Grace Reynolds

No Limits • Authentic • Balanced

I must say, this was difficult for me to put together. Like many of you find, it’s hard to talk, let alone, write about yourself. I’ve never been one to talk about myself – not because I don’t want to share – but because I was told when I was younger … “Don’t talk about yourself,… Continue reading

Gwyneth James

Compassionate • Confident • Clever

I’m a numbers gal…not so good with words. So, here’s me in the form of an equation: [mom + dad + sister] = happy childhood! Victoria, BC 4 years x UBC + 2 years x U of Ottawa + 2 years x CGA Association = lots of letters after my name, but not much work… Continue reading

Hajni Hos

Eclectic • Spiritual • Humourous

I don’t fit in a box. I am Canadian but I am also Hungarian (Canadian during the winter Olympics and Hungarian during the summer Olympics). I am a mom, lead a non-profit, but I am also a lawyer and a teacher. I lead a community choir. I moved to the other side of the world… Continue reading

Hannah Routly

Loyal • Superhero • Skeptic

My career in the charitable sector is 19 years and counting. For the sake of a good cause I have ran, walked, skipped, cycled and crawled, been in a dunk tank, donned mascot outfits, built outdoor ball hockey rinks, woke up at 3am to set up walk events, canvassed door-to-door in February, and wore a variety of costumes.… Continue reading

Heather Avery

Caring • Patient • Energetic

I have worked in education most of my life, helping students from middle school to graduate school to achieve their goals and dreams. It’s been an honour and an inspiration to help young women and men believe in their abilities, understand their potential, learn how to learn—and then fly. Most recently, I have come to… Continue reading

Heather Watson

Energetic • Methodical • Articulate

People are always surprised when I tell them I have a son who is 25. It’s often easier and usually more entertaining just to tell it that way but the fact is, he’s my step-son, who became my son. My husband was a single dad at 20. When I met the pair I was just… Continue reading

Hollie Lawder

Vivacious • Caring • Determined

I am a Registered Massage Therapist, mother, wife, book junkie, and indulger of happiness. I love anatomy, and the way the body moves. I love the challenge that comes with the body when there is a muscular imbalance, but what I love more is when a client tells me how much better they feel. Massage… Continue reading

Janelle Kelcey

Dedicated • Adventurous • Wholesome

In 2013 my cousin passed away after a year-long battle with leukemia. She was only 21 years old. I was 22 years old, back at university for my 3rd year, and my world completely shifted. There was never a single moment where I ever believed the disease would defeat her. She was fearless. We grew… Continue reading

Janet Dawson

Caring • Thoughtful • Hard Working

It’s funny how you go through life making statements about the kinds of things you will do or not do when you get older. If I had to bet, probably every statement I have made has gone the exact opposite from what I planned. In my memories, I can see myself as a young child… Continue reading

Janet Kristensen

Justice • Insightful • Encourage

I am an immigrant. I came to Canada with my parents in 1966 and we settled in Montreal. My first view of Canada was from the ship, which brought us from Southampton U.K. As we sailed down the immense St. Lawrence River, I realized, even at that young age, that life would be… Continue reading

Janet McLeod

Loyal • Generous • Responsible

Looking for the house I live in now, I told the real estate agent I wanted three bedrooms and a garage, but what I really meant was peaceful and safe. Three bedrooms are more than I need day to day, but filling them isn’t hard. Duvets and quilts for family at holidays, my mother visits… Continue reading

Jeannine Taylor

Trailblazer • Supportive • BadAss

I am driven to be near water and love the Kawarthas. I love that we are surrounded by water in every direction. I grew up in Peterborough, was educated here and never had any desire to move away. I am grateful to my parents for moving here from Toronto after the war, and to my… Continue reading

Jen Avis

Thoughtful • Strong • Healing

I struggle to write about myself – it always feels like I am painting such an incomplete picture! So, since this project is all about amazing and inspirational women (pretty wild to think I have been included on the list) I thought I would think about the people and events that I think have been… Continue reading

Jenni Johnston

Genuine • Creative • Dedicated

Art has allowed me to heal, grow and share as an individual. It has helped shape the person that I have become today. Art has been a release for me, a way to communicate my emotions with the outside world. As most artist struggle to communicate and tell their story, so do I. Tragically my younger brother… Continue reading

Jennifer Brown

Caring • Ambitious • Worrier

I am a Peterborough girl, born and raised and very much proud of that. I come from a wonderful family who provided and continues to provide so much love and support. We had a very good life growing up not lacking for much but I did learn from my parents that hard work and integrity is truly… Continue reading

Jennifer Garland

Caring • Creative • Communicator

I was 48. My nest was empty and I was feeling a little bored. After 25 years as a communications and management consultant I was professionally comfortable-perhaps even coasting. Then we bought the farm. My husband, Chris, and I said goodbye to city living in Toronto in 2001 and embraced country life in a small… Continue reading

Jennifer Scates

Strong • Organized • Honest

Ice Cream has always been apart of my life… As a kid my favorite food was ice cream, and not a day afterschool went by with out a cereal bowl full of ice cream to finish off the day. In high school, every lunch was spent with my friends eating grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate… Continue reading

Jessica Correa

Hard-working • Creative • Bubbly

Hi ! My name is Jessica Correa. I’m a 20-something from Oakville, Ontario who moved to Peterborough for university. Ever since high school, I’ve had a deep-passion for our planet and have fought hard to find innovative solutions. I am the middle sibling of 2 beautiful sisters, girlfriend of a handsome Indian water-resources engineer,… Continue reading

Jessica Hill

Thankful • Thoughtful • Loyal

If someone asks me for help, I say yes. My husband tells me not to jump at too many projects or volunteer committees because before long I’ll be running the show and taking on too much. When this happens; and it does; it’s because whatever I pour my heart into never feels like work. If… Continue reading

Joanna Stimpson

Stalwart • Funny • Kind

“Work hard, stay clean and wash behind your ears!” – this is something my Dad said to me every time he dropped me off at boarding school. It’s stayed with me ever since, always bringing a smile to my face and I sometimes catch myself saying it to my own kids. My Dad was in the British… Continue reading

Julie Austin

Savourer • Sorter • Seeker

I have always approached eating, and the world of food, in the same manner I’ve approach life; with zesty curiosity, tasteful intentions, and reasonable hopes for lip-smacking satisfaction; so much so that, food has been the core ingredient upon which I’ve created, and built, my life’s recipe. As far back as I can remember I’ve… Continue reading

Karen Giles

Passionate • Creative • Tenacious

I am so proud to call Peterborough my home. Peterborough “the City of Light”. As a teenager, leaving for college meant screeching out of here, and never coming back, but alas in 1989 I returned to start my family and Peterborough was the only choice. Nursing is my passion and helping others has always been… Continue reading

Karen Irvine

Loyal • Energetic • Caring

I moved to Peterborough 15 years ago to marry the love of my life. I have been riding motorcycles for 40 years, and am a founding member of the now disbanded Fallen Angels Motorcycle Club, a group of all women riders who raised money for charitable organizations doing what they love to do: Riding motorcycles.… Continue reading

Karen Jopling

Adventurous • Engaging • Tenacious

Born and raised on a dairy farm in Peterborough County, and then marrying a farmer, agriculture has always been a big part of who I am. While I always recognized the value of farming, I saw the true importance of agriculture when I became the 1987/88 Peterborough County Dairy Princess. My role was to educate… Continue reading

Katie McVety

Resilient • Capable • Spirited

To say that I was completely shocked when I was nominated for this project would be an understatement. Me? Inspiring someone? I’m the nameless voice you reach on the other end of the phone when you have an emergency and need help. You don’t see me. You don’t know who I am. No, my job… Continue reading

Katy Shufelt MD FRCPC

Confident • Compassionate • Conscientious

I am grateful to call Peterborough my home for so many reasons. My family moved to Peterborough in 1991, when I was in my last year of high school. I only attended Adam Scott for one semester, but met two people who impacted my life in a large way. The first was Mrs. McIlmoyle, my… Continue reading

Kayla Andreoli

Considerate • Organized • Witty

I found this article very difficult to write as I don’t think of myself as inspirational or a symbol of feminine strength; but I am honoured to be nominated for this amazing project. Peterborough is my home. It is where I was born and raised. I am doubly lucky that most of my family still… Continue reading

Kemi Akapo

Passionate • Candid • Action-Oriented

This is a quote I often think about. I do not, in fact know what my ancestors’ dreams were but I’d like to think that they dreamed that life for their descendants would be one of more opportunity than they had. This quote boosts me up when I am feeling drained, reminds me of how… Continue reading

Kerry McCann

Genuine • Tenderhearted • Dedicated

The path that brought me here would be; fate. I had always wanted to be a secretary, like my amazing Mom, but I didn’t think that I could do it. My Dad was in the medical field, so it is funny that I would become a medical secretary. To help women through their pain and… Continue reading

Kim Blackwell

Vivid • Wicked • Unstoppable

I am a veteran 4th Line director/producer – 2018 will mark my 24th season with 4th Line Theatre where I have directed 16 productions including seven world premieres. Selected credits include: Artistic Director (2014 – Present), Artistic Producer (2009 – 2014), Artistic Associate (2001-2009), directing: The Shadow Walk of Millbrook (2016), The Hero of Hunter… Continue reading

Kim Driscoll

Happy • Optimistic • Fun

I will begin my 29th year of teaching in September. I still enjoy getting up and going to school each day. I like being one of the caring adults who helps students transition into and through high school and find their way on the windy, twisty road of being a teenager. While it’s never easy,… Continue reading

Kimberlee Curry

Strong • Authentic • Ambitious

My entire life “Everything happens for a reason” is a quote I’ve preached to friends and family going through difficult times. In 2014 at the age of 31, it became a quote I reminded myself of daily. After cycling from Toronto to Niagara Falls for the Ride to Conquer, I ironically felt a lump in… Continue reading

Lesley Heighway

Innovative • Inspired • Grateful

I am grateful every day for the opportunity to make a difference in my community through my work at the PRHC Foundation. Having lost my Dad to brain cancer when I was 23, I know first-hand what it means when families have to travel for care. I watched my Mom travel 3 hours each way… Continue reading

Lesley Kirton

Resilient • Giving • Integrity

I still cant believe all of this… I don’t look at myself as being an inspirational women but actually as a women that is continuously inspired by women around me. My family is the most important thing to me and I try to raise my 3 daughters to love their community as much as I… Continue reading

Leslie Bradford-Scott

Tenacious • Driven • Creative

As a high school drop-out with learning disabilities, my prospects of achieving success in life seemed very slim. As a child, I dreamed of being a writer and a pilot, but life unfolded in a different direction. My father told me, “Girls don’t fly airplanes, and you’ll never make money as a writer. You’re not smart… Continue reading

Linda Kash

Alive • Alert • Alliteration

I am a mother, an actor, a teacher, a student, a writer, a director, a sister, a friend, a dog, cat, bird, fish, hamster, bat donkey, pig elephant lover. An ex wife A widow A daughter of musicians A great egg scrambler I have a bad habit of falling in love with whomever I am… Continue reading

Lindsay Walker-Chiarelli

Lucky • Hard-Working • Detail-Obsessed

I spent a lot of time during my younger years wishing I was someone else. Someone confident, who had it all together and knew who they were and who they were meant to be. Someone who could get top marks without having to study 24/7 and feel guilty for taking a break for fun. Someone… Continue reading

Lisa Plouffe

Fortitude • Kindness • Determined

Joy and sorrow are intertwined; we cannot have one with truly having experienced the other. I love how Khalil Gibran speaks of these sets, saying ” together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board remember that the other is asleep upon your bed‘”. It has been comforting to me… Continue reading

Lola Keating

Kind • Strong • Philanthropic

My name is Lola Keating, I am twelve years old. I go to Chemong Public school and I am going into my grade seven year. At my school I am a Red Dragon that means I help out younger grades on the school yard. I also am a library helper so I help put away… Continue reading

Lorie Gill

Genuine • Inspiring • Leader

Life is a journey, and best-made plans are often broken, altered or derailed. I was 18 and had a plan for the next phase of my life. Having just graduated high school, I was off to further my education the following month to study Business. The plan was to complete my Business degree, in 3 years, then… Continue reading

Louise Racine

Innovative • Authentic • Nurturing

My interest in women’s issues began while working for the federal government in the 70s and 80s when the equity movement was gaining momentum. In fact, my awareness of gender inequality was sparked at about the age of 10 when I noticed how differently the boys and girls in my family and small Ottawa Valley… Continue reading

Maggie Vanderbyl

Passionate • Hardworking • Brave

Inspire definition ( thanks Siri) “ Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something , especially to do something creative “ Let me introduce myself. My name is Maggie Vanderbyl, I’m 30 years old and I grew up in Peterborough in a little war time house in the north end… Continue reading

Marcy Adzich

Optimistic • Sensitive • Visionary

As long as I can remember, I’ve lived in an imaginary, wondrous world. My mother repeats a story that during my earliest birthday parties, I would quietly leave my friends, shut my door and draw alone in my bedroom. For most of my childhood, I spent countless hours exploring the forest and fields behind my… Continue reading

Marina Wilke

Resilient • Nurturing • Confident

When I turned the page on the chapter of my life called Single Parent, it was a plot twist I wasn’t expecting. The narrative that I had carefully crafted for my future lay in ruins. When I tried to skip to the end- “you know, the “happily ever after” part?” All of the pages were… Continue reading

Martha Sullivan

Positive • Empathetic • Wayfinder

The first is my life is crazy awesome. Life can be hectic as I am a small business owner with three young children. Life is awesome for these same reasons though. I am fortunate enough to truly love what I do. Being able to create the law firm that I always wanted to be… Continue reading

Mary Smith

Passionate • Committed • Principled

It has been a privilege and honour to have served as an elected official for the past twenty one years. I have met so many amazing people and learned so much about our community. I grew up on a family dairy farm in what is now the City of Kawartha Lakes, so I have always… Continue reading

Mayor Diane Therrien

Confident • Driven • Passionate

I’m often asked if I always wanted to be in politics, and the truth is no. Looking back, I can see that I was always political – I had a strong sense of justice and what was right. This got me into trouble sometimes when I was younger- I asked a lot of questions in… Continue reading

Megan Collyer

Confident • Driven • Courageous

I’m Megan Collyer, a grade ten student at Thomas A. Stewart. I live in Peterborough and love to be involved with my community. Recently I have been a part of Junior Achievement and have been working with them ever since. I was introduced to JA through my grade ten business class where we created our… Continue reading

Michele Kadwell-Chalmers

Courageous • Resilient • Compassionate

I am the owner of The Original Flame, a fireplace boutique shop in Peterborough, ON. I have always been shy & quiet but love people, so I ended up in sales! I have sold, everything from pet caterpillars to Kool-Aid when I was a kid, to motorcycles & ATVs and finally settled on fireplaces. I… Continue reading

Michelle Thornton

Optimistic • Reilient • Dependable

Hmmm…this is hard. I guess to start, I can tell you I’ve been married to my teenage summer love for 34 years. I am grateful to be a mom to an amazing daughter and son, and I am so proud and happy to be gramma/namma to four precious grandchildren. I work full time as Deputy… Continue reading

Monika Carmichael

Driven • Compassionate • Generous

I am the proud and dedicated owner and active General Manager, of Trent Valley Honda, ( as well as the only female car dealer in Peterborough) , which next year will be celebrating 44 years serving the Peterborough community. My father instilled in me a great work ethic, showed me how to live with genuine… Continue reading

Nancy Nickle

Creative • Inspirational • Caring

On Getting Older and my Plan to grow up one day! I was driving home from a client meeting the other day and I heard an old favourite tune on the radio…singing along, I thought, I can’t believe this song is 49 years old! Wow….I thought about where I was at in life when the… Continue reading

Paula J Cassidy

Random • Curious • Shapeshifter

It has been said, according to my teen children, that the alien face emoji is so not cool. I use it ever single time I text them. My third child – my youngest, who was blessed with Down Syndrome – says that she loves me because I make her bacon. This is surely a good… Continue reading

Paula Kehoe

Inquisitive • Humorous • Resilient

Inquisitive My story starts in a small fishing town, located on the tip of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula, called Red Head Cove. I spent my free-range childhood playing among the grassy knolls, wandering through the rugged landscape, building tree forts, and chasing waves on the wharf. I loved my childhood. Outside play nurtured my imagination and… Continue reading

Peggy Shaughnessy

Determined • Compassionate • Fierce

As a child I recall the very dysfunction that no child should have to witness in the house hold. My both parents had not only alcohol problems but also have marital ones. My mother ran off with a lover and my father died four months later. So, at nine years of age I was left… Continue reading

Peyton Henry-Dancey

Generous • Kind-Hearted • Respectful

My name is Peyton, I am 8 years old. I don’t ask for birthday presents, because I have everything I need, instead I ask for donations and donate them to local shelters, like the humane society and the warming room. Other kids in my class have now started to do it too. I dance competitively,… Continue reading

Rhonda Barnet

Inspirational • Passionate • Strategic

I am the Chief Operating Officer of Steelworks Design, an engineering and custom automation firm co-founded with my husband, Don Barnet. I am responsible for the finance and development portfolios, and have guided SWD to 15% annual growth year over year. In 2017, my role expanded to include Co-President, coinciding with a push to realize… Continue reading

Rita Wilke

Adventurous • Resolute • Strong

My portrait was taken on the banks of the Otonabee River with Trent University’s Faryon Bridge in the background. This bridge holds a very special place in my heart. Family memories were made here, too many to tell. To bridge is to form a connection, bond or link between two things in order to cross… Continue reading

Rose Powers

Compassionate • Resourceful • Advocate

I’m lucky, I have a good story, my parents were supportive when I came out to them as gay at the age of sixteen. They didn’t kick me out, they didn’t tell me I was no longer allowed to be apart of the family or tell me I was not accepted for who I was. … Continue reading

123 Women of Peterborough

Nominations Are Open