PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise Honours the Top 20 Women of the Last 20 Years

Tonight, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise (PARO) honoured the top twenty PARO women of the last two decades. The recipients of the Top 20 in 20 Awards were announced at a gala event in celebration of PARO’s 20th Anniversary.Nominations for the Top 20 in 20 Awards opened in June 2014 with the final recipients selected by a panel of community influencers. All award winners have experienced success throughout the past 20 years and encompass one or more of PARO’s values, which include cooperation, ownership, integrity, responsibility, simplification and peer support. “Every day these women raise the bar of making a social impact with economic values. There is something so very special about a community of driven women uniting these standards,” said PARO executive director Rosalind Locyker. “Tonight we celebrate women, create new connections and encourage others to believe that success is achievable. PARO praises these women for their successful focus and passion for their communities.”The PARO 20 in 20 Award recipients are:1. Levina Collins- Collins Consulting2. Alice Sabourin- Beedaubin Resources3. Sharla Brown- Keynote Events4. Linda Bruins- Evergreen a United Neighbourhood5. Rebecca Johnson- Rebecca Reports- for the RECORD6. Donna Brown- P.C. Medic7. Suzanne Tighe – Nurse Next Door8. Laura Fralick- Investors Group9. Cindy Maki- True Vision Energy Coaching10. Angela Halvorsen- Rainy River Futures Development Corporation1. Stephanie Ash- Firedog Communications12. Cindy Crowe- Blue Sky Community Healing Centre13. Norma Fawcett- Elder Blue Sky Community Healing Centre14. Colleen Martin- Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund15. Madge Richardson- North Superior Workforce Planning Board16. Sherri-Ann White- A Beautiful New You17. Sheila Fortes- Office Works18. Bonnie King- King Konsulting19. Marcia Arpin- All the Daze Productions20. Helene Fontaine- Freedom & RelaxationAward recipient Linda Bruins has been involved with PARO for several years, serving as board president from 2007 to 2013. In 2002, Bruins had an idea for a business and was told to talk to the organization. “My neighbour told me about a group that would help you start a business; with much interest I called them and was invited for a meeting. After 12 years I won’t ever leave this group,” said Bruins. “It’s been a time of learning, supporting, and making this community a better place. Through PARO I’ve learned how to do a business plan, financials, and annual planning that has assisted me in operating a successful business and eventually a not- for-profit organization. By being open to learn and work with the team at PARO, I have been able to open many doors to many opportunities.”“The Top 20 in 20 Awards fosters the spirit of enterprise by celebrating successful women in entrepreneurship,” said Lockyer. “These women will continue to inspire us for the next 20 years to strive for greater heights of success.”The 20 in 20 Awards concludes a yearlong series of events that highlighted PARO's history, women success stories, community socio-economic impact and future goals.