.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Retiring after two-and-a-half terms as president of the Status of Women Council of the NWT, Yellowknifer Lynn Brooks was finally eligible for the Wise Woman Award. She was presented her award on Monday, March 9 in recognition of her many years of service to the community.

Lynn Brooks, a longtime social advocate, has been awarded the Wise Woman Award in recognition of 30 years of service. - photo courtesy of Tara Kearsey/Status of Women Council of the NWT

"It's the best award I've ever won", said Brooks. "It's an award given to me by my peers."

Brooks' past achievements and contributions include being chairperson and founding member of the Society Against Family Abuse, spokesperson and founding member of the NWT Child Care Association, co-ordinator of the Cards of Hope Suicide Prevention Project and help-line trainer for the Mental Health in the Workplace Committee.

"It was nothing that I ever expected", said Brooks.

"I always thought that there were so many other women who are doing as much, or more than me."

As much as she's contributed and as far as community has come, Brooks said there are still many issues to be dealt with, including family violence - such as the recent murder of Gameti resident Alice Black - and the status of women in the mining, oil and gas industries.

Also, Brooks said, the "perennial, never-ending issue of daycares." The issue includes a serious lack of funding and training for the child care sector, she said.

Brooks was also recognized for her work in 2002 when she was the recipient of the Queen's Jubilee Medal for significant contributions made to fellow citizens.

She is still heavily involved in the community as a board member at the YWCA and on the Volunteer Awards Committee, and as an appointee on the Judicial Advisory Committee.

"I'm still keeping busy," she said.

The other award recipients this year were Cece McCauley from Norman Wells, Rudy Jumbo from Trout Lake, Mary Ann Ross from Inuvik and Frieda Martselos from Fort Smith.