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7th nominee for Women of Inspiration series announced

PHOTO. Supplied. Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta. Kim Mah and Family.

The 7th nominee for the Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta Women of Inspiration series has been announced.

Kim Mah arrived in Edmonton from China in 1957 to meet a man she’d only seen by photo.

Nine days later, at 17 years old, she was married in a Canadian style wedding and moved to Fort Chipewyan.

The two were happily married with 6 children and ran the Athabasca Café and Dining Lounge, which was built by her father-in-law.

After the sudden passing of her husband in 1988, Mah became the owner and operator of the business. She had to learn English to communicate with her customers as she was always the one cooking prior to her husband’s death.

Rather than moving to California to be with her father, Mah and her unsinkable will asked for two years to prove she could run a successful business.

The café has become a vital part of the community, feeding travelers, contractors and visitors. She typically works for 17 hours a day and has only recently hired help.

Mah is a great example of a strong role model for young women in the region, demonstrating what strong will and work ethic can accomplish.

The grandmother of 17 will be honoured along with 11 other nominees at the Women of Inspiration Celebration in June 2018.

The Women of Inspiration series is a partnership between Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude. The goal of the series is to recognize women in the region who inspire others, break new ground or barriers and help create change, while showing young women and girls positive, local role models.

You can nominate a woman of inspiration by visiting the Girls Inc. website or calling 780-790-9236.