Press Release: Heritage Park Announces 2024 Women Making History in Alberta Award Recipients

Heritage Park is proud to announce four remarkable women as the 2024 honorees of the Women Making History in Alberta Awards. The honorees will be recognized at an awards luncheon on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Wainwright Hotel in Heritage Park.

This distinguished annual award celebrates trailblazing women whose achievements today will become tomorrow’s history. This year’s recipients exemplify Alberta’s spirit with impact across diverse fields:

• Sharon Carry (Women Making History in Alberta) – Former President of Bow Valley College, recognized for her leadership in expanding educational access across the province.

• Christine McIver (Women Making History in Alberta) – Founder of the Kids Cancer Care Foundation, dedicating her life to supporting children battling cancer and their families.

• Christine Cheung (History Maker in the Making) – Principal of Highwood School and the first female Chinese Canadian principal in Calgary, making strides in inclusivity and education.

• Elaine Downing (The Vera Burns Award, posthumous) – A visionary volunteer with Calgary’s Meals on Wheels, honored for her lifelong commitment to community service.

“Each of these remarkable women has not only contributed to Alberta’s present, but has also created a legacy that will inspire and shape future generations,” says Brittney Thompson, volunteer chair of the Heritage Park Society Board of Trustees and an Awards Nomination Committee member. “In celebrating these women’s achievements, we are helping to write the first draft of tomorrow’s history of Alberta.”

The Women Making History in Alberta Awards celebrate women who — through their leadership, vision, and dedication — continue to inspire Alberta’s future. Join Heritage Park in celebrating these trailblazing women who have contributed significantly to Alberta’s history and future.

The awards luncheon is open to the public, with tickets available for individual seats or tables. For more information or to secure a ticket to the luncheon, visit heritagepark.ca/events/women-making-history-in-alberta-awards.

Media Inquiries:
Pam Taylor
Director, Marketing and Communications
Heritage Park Historical Village
ptaylor@heritagepark.ca
403.519.3409

About the Award
The Women Making History in Alberta Awards, established by Heritage Park, honour women who have transformed history through their inspiring visions and leadership. Heritage Park’s mission to preserve and promote Western Canada’s history invites people to step back in time and learn about the diverse individuals and events that have shaped our present and future.

This year, Heritage Park continues this tradition by recognizing exceptional Alberta women who have made significant, lasting impacts on countless lives, introducing two new categories, and bringing the total to three:

• Women Making History in Alberta

• New: History Maker in the Making: Up and Coming Women in our Community

• New: The Vera Burns Award, posthumously presented to a woman of distinction

About Previous Award Recipients

Since its inception, the Women Making History in Alberta Awards has honored influential women whose achievements have had a lasting impact on Alberta. Past recipients include:

2023

• The Honourable Lois E. Mitchell, CM, AOE, LLD – 18th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, noted for her advocacy in history education and youth leadership.

• Irene Pfeiffer, C.M. – Senior executive and the first non-physician to chair the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, a milestone in healthcare governance.

• Judy Fairburn – Co-founder of The51 and a pioneer in environmental sustainability, driving investment in entrepreneurial partnerships and women-led ventures.

• Dr. M. Jeanette MacQuarrie – One of the first female graduates in medicine from the University of Alberta, recognized for her dedication to medical care and early contributions to Alberta’s healthcare system.

2022

• Dr. Cora Voyageur – A distinguished Dene scholar and advocate for Indigenous people, celebrated for contributions to education and Indigenous leadership.

• Cheryl Foggo – Award-winning playwright and filmmaker focused on elevating stories of African-Canadian heritage, contributing significantly to Alberta’s cultural landscape.

• Teresa Woo-Paw – Civic leader and founder of numerous organizations focused on social inclusion and multiculturalism, Alberta’s first Asian Canadian MLA and Cabinet Minister.

About Heritage Park Historical Village

For 60 years, Heritage Park has been one of Canada’s leading living history museums, located on Treaty 7 territory. As a registered charity, the Park welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, contributing to Alberta’s tourism landscape by sharing the multicultural history of Western Canada.