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Girls Inc. names second nominee for 2016-17 Women of Inspiration

Last Updated Aug 25, 2016 at 3:49 pm MDT

Jude Friesen. PROVIDED.

Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude have announced the second nominee for the Women of Inspiration series 2016-2017.

Jude Friesen is the school counsellor at the Bill Woodward School in Anzac. She graduated from the University of Calgary, where she specialized in counselling and psychotherapy. She has been at the Bill Woodward School for 15 years and lives in Gregoire Lake Estates.

Girls Inc. said Friesen is not only the liaison between the schools and the community but she takes on a support role to all of the students and their families. She is a positive mentor to the high school students without parents and takes on a motherly role with the graduating class.

Friesen has a strong connection to the First Nations communities and believes in building a strong unified community with all cultures being encouraged and appreciated. She encourages local traditional
dancers to showcase their culture through their dance and started a drumming circle at the school.

One of her former students applauded her ability to inspire others just by being herself, saying, “seeing her in the hallways first thing in the morning while she’s greeting you with her soft voice and amazing smile can
really make your day, especially when you woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

Girls Inc. said Friesen has been described by her co-workers as a kind and caring woman who works hard to help girls achieve their goals. Friesen has been the recipient of the RMWB’s exceptional citizens award. This award is given at the Mayor and Council’s Toast of Champions event. Nominations are based on overall achievement, impact or contribution to the region. Ms. Friesen exemplifies leadership through her work in developing the ‘positive school climate committee.

Friesen is also active in the Roots of Empathy Steering Committee and advocates passionately for children and families in Anzac. Other activities that she willingly takes on include the full circle mentoring program, Girls Inc. programming, Girl Power, peacemakers, global citizenship, paradigm esteem.

Friesen will be honoured alongside 11 other nominees at the Women of Inspiration Celebration which will take place in June 2017.

The Women of Inspiration is a partnership between Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude, with a goal to recognize women throughout the Wood Buffalo region who inspire others, break new ground or old barriers and help create change. The series also aims to show local girls positive role models who live right here in Wood Buffalo.

Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is hosting an Afternoon Tea on Saturday, August 27 from 12-3 p.m. at the UNIFOR Building (10019 MacDonald Avenue) to celebrate the 12 amazing women from our community who were nominated in 2015/2016.