Nanaimo Museum is delving into history to recognize some prominent city women.
Part of International Women’s Day, on Thursday (March 8), the museum is running a commemorative display through March, recalling Nanaimo’s Woman of the Year Award.
From 1955 to 1978, the community recognized 22 women for their contributions to Nanaimo.
Museum researcher Danijela Razman volunteered to take on the project after a conversation with 1968 recipient Joyce Command.
Intrigued, Razman researched the award and the women who were recognized.
“It was an important event that recognized the many hours of volunteer work done by Nanaimo women and it has been forgotten,” she said.
The award was created in 1955 by Spies and Buys publisher Dorothy Plant. Plant’s initial idea was to promote the magazine, and the contest developed into an annual community event.
Many recipients were surprised by the recognition, having no idea they had been nominated.
Nominees, who had to live within the boundaries of Nanaimo school district, were suggested by the community. Supporters would submit the names of worthy women and the reason they should be recognized on a ballot.
A five-person panel then reviewed and counted the ballots and declared the winner.
Each winner received a small silver tray and had their name engraved on the rim of a larger perpetual silver tray that was kept by the Council of Women.
“The tray’s whereabouts is unknown and it has not been seen since the award was discontinued in 1978,” said museum curator David Hill-Turner.
As enthusiasm for the contest waned in the 1970s, the Woman of the Year award was merged with Nanaimo’s Citizen of the Year award in 1979.
Recipients have included Snuneymuxw First Nation Elder Ellen White, Muriel McKay, Margaret Strongitharm and Kathleen Senini.
For more information, please call 250-753-1821 or go to www.nanaimomuseum.ca.
The museum is at 100 Museum Way in the Port of Nanaimo Centre.