2011 Nominees - Arts, Culture and Design

MORNA EDMUNDSON 

As a conductor, singer and administrator, Morna’s professional music career spans over 30 years, during which she has received numerous honours and awards. In addition to being one of Canada’s best-known choral conductors, Morna is an accomplished arts administrator and cultural leader in BC. She has served for a decade as Administrative Director of MusicFest Vancouver and for 14 years conducted the Coastal Sound Youth Choir in Coquitlam. Morna mentors a growing number of leaders in her field and is a frequent contributor to cultural planning in the city and the province. Morna’s ability to reconcile the big-picture organizational goals with day-to-day management of singers, staff and resources has made her a true leader in her field and an outstanding Artistic Director for Elektra Women’s Choir. In 2000 she was presented with the Healey Willan award for her outstanding dedication and contribution to BC’s choral community.

Connecting the Community Award quote:

“I’m supporting the healthy choices for youth programs because I believe the preteen years are crucial to our kids’ future success. I’ve watched my own kids take on challenges presented in creative ways through community activities and organizations. And as a choral conductor, I’ve been proud to be a motivator of teenagers to look beyond their own experiences to participate in something beautiful and worthwhile.”

MEGHAN GARDINER

Meghan is a local actor, playwright and activist. In 2003 Meghan wrote and produced "DISSOLVE", a dark yet highly entertaining one-woman show about drug-facilitated sexual assault. Meghan transformed a very personal experience into a learning opportunity for young adults and, in the process, she began a grassroots dialogue. She has performed "DISSOLVE" to over 450 audiences at North American high schools, universities and conferences. The success of her play led to a screen adaptation that is currently being distributed internationally. In addition, Meghan was commissioned by Green Thumb Theatre to write Blind Spot, a play that examines pressures faced by teens to become sexually active. The success of "DISSOLVE" and the subsequent film adaptation and additional projects of Meghan’s work prove she can reach audiences with a strong message.

Connecting the Community Award quote:

"Through my work with "DISSOLVE", I have realized that sexual assault is a global problem of epidemic proportions. Not only is more education needed on the definition of consent, but mutual respect between young men and women needs to be encouraged. Sadly, the majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by an acquaintance of the survivor. I choose to support healthy choices for youth, as education is the first step towards prevention." 

CORI HOWARD

Cori is the editor of the best-selling anthology, Between Interruptions: Thirty Women Tell the Truth about Motherhood, a compilation of authentic accounts of motherhood experiences. After reading the book, her fans asked her how they might write and publish their own stories. She responded by creating the Momoir Project; a series of writing classes that provide her students with an outlet for self-expression and community building. The project has also contributed to the evolution of the new mother-memoir genre of writing. Cori uses her expertise as an award-winning journalist to mentor beginner and veteran writers towards their own goals of publication, networking and personal growth. Her students’ “momoirs” have been published in magazines, e-zines, writing contests and their own blogs.  

Connecting the Community Award quote:

“As a writer and educator, teaching writing to children and mothers, I see the value of literacy in promoting self-confidence and curiosity. I see how education can transform lives and give children the tools to pursue their dreams. I choose to support early learning and child care because the YWCA supports children and young mothers in their quest for higher education, enabling them to stay in school, graduate and move forward with their lives with hope and passion.” 

MARG MEIKLE

As an award-winning author, CBC broadcaster, anthropologist, museum curator, inquisitive researcher and fundraiser extraordinaire, Marg integrates her talents to build communities, both locally and nationally. Her love for anthropology has flourished into several knitting clubs, revitalizing the public’s interest in traditional arts and crafts. Her books, articles and talk shows educate and inspire her fans. She is an early pioneer of online communities, engaging readers through her 1990s column Come on Line in Canadian Living magazine. Personally affected by Parkinson’s disease, Marg and her husband created Porridge for Parkinson’s, an annual fundraiser, in 2001. Again, leveraging her communities and the media, she has raised $1.1 million for the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute in support of research at UBC. 

Connecting the Community Award quote:

“As a former broadcaster and an award-winning children’s author (Children’s Choice Awards), I support the YWCA’s early learning and child care programs because I am keen on anything that gets kids reading, and because I think that anything that gets kids asking questions, and questioning their sources, is key.”