Milverton women’s celebration nears 20th anniversary

Members of the Milverton Women’s Initiative committee gather during the recent Evening to Celebrate Women. Seated on the floor, from left, are Sandra Kuepfer, Virginia Ehrlich, Madison Debus and Shirley Hutton. Seated on the bale is Bev Brenneman. Standing, from left, are Helen Dowd, Ann Marie Ryter, Becky Steckly and Tammy Weber. Photo by Brittney Photography

By Gary West

The Milverton Women’s Initiative committee hosted another sold-out Evening to Celebrate Women recently at the Perth East Recreation Complex in Milverton.

This year’s event, held under the country-inspired theme, Back Roads and Besties, sold out six weeks in advance. More than 240 guests embraced the theme with country attire for an evening of food, fundraising and recognition.

The evening began with a buffet dinner prepared by Milverton’s Custom Catering by Brenda, with table service provided by members of the Perth East Fire Department.

The event first began in 2007 as an evening to celebrate women, with proceeds directed toward the Helen Barker Scholarship, named in memory of the Milverton-area columnist, poet and author.

After nearly 20 years, organizers announced the annual scholarships will now be renamed the Literacy and Leadership Scholarships as a new generation takes the helm.

Since the inaugural event, the committee has awarded 57 scholarships worth a collective $31,800. The funds are held in trust by the Avon Maitland District School Board until recipients pursue post-secondary education and collect their $700 awards.

This year’s audience was introduced to the 2025 scholarship recipients, Brooke Crapper, Kinsley McIntosh and Ben Spicer. Each was asked a few questions, giving guests a chance to learn more about the Grade 9 students and their goals.

The evening also included the announcement of the 2026 Women to Watch honourees. Mandy Cameron, Dr. Kara Carter, Dr. Kirsten Carter, Janna Leduc and Cynthia Livingston were recognized as ordinary women doing extraordinary things to help others in the community.

Their recognition brings the total number of Women to Watch honourees to 83 since that portion of the program was added in 2008.

Organizers say more than 40 local businesses support the event each year through financial donations and auction or raffle items. The committee has also purchased $183,298 from local businesses over the years to help bring the event to Milverton.

Committee chair Helen Dowd said the event remains a community highlight.

“It is a highlight event in the community which touches the lives of so many, and we are thrilled that our scholarship winners have gone on to careers in engineering, nursing, pharmacy and journalism to name only a few,” Dowd said.