Five women will be recognized for their contributions to the community during a luncheon in June, after being approved by the Sarnia Community Foundation Board of Directors as the 2025 Women of Excellence.
This year's recipients are listed below.
Brenda Dunn is being recognized for her volunteerism, community dedication, and youth advocacy. The Sarnia Community Foundation specifically mentioned her two decades of service to Scouts Canada and her effort to help raise money through the local Christmas kettle campaign.
Bertha Rose Park is noted for promoting physical fitness and mental wellbeing. The foundation said she taught line dancing and exercise for seniors after she retired from teaching, and at 92 years old, she continues to participate in community programs. She's also a founding member of the Petrolia Chapter of the Red Hat Society, a local group for women to connect.
Jaylene Henry is the executive director of BGC Sarnia-Lambton. The foundation said Henry's passion for community service has been instrumental in growing the organization, which expanded from serving 180 children annually to over 2,300.
Kirsty Kilner-Holmes is being recognized for her volunteer efforts with multiple organizations and her dedication to the arts. The foundation said Kilner-Holmes was on the board with the Gallery in the Grove for 10 years, was one of the key supporters of the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery's capital campaign, and is co-chair of the new Bright's Grove Library and Community Hub.
Cst. Jocelyne Paquette, a longtime member of the Sarnia Police Service, is being honoured for her past and present work as she currently works with vulnerable people through the IMPACT Team. Paquette is also a co-founder of Noelle's Gift to Children, and has been active with Special Olympics, Sarnia-Lambton Rebound, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton.
The ninth annual Women of Excellence celebration will be held at the Dante Club in Sarnia on June 5 at 12 p.m.
Tickets for the luncheon cost $60 or $500 for a table of eight, and can be purchased by contacting the Sarnia Community Foundation at (519) 332-2588 or ed@sarniacommunityfoundation.ca.
This year's guest speaker will be Parkinson Canada President and CEO Dr. Karen Lee.