Eira "Babs" Friesen (1917 - 2008) was a community activist and long-time YWCA and YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg volunteer. She was the originator of the Y-Neighbours program and was instrumental in establishing the Women's Resource Centre at the Winnipeg YWCA in 1973, the first such centre offering women information, support and guidance in Western Canada and the model for dozens of social safety net programs and organizations ever since. She was active with her church, immigrant women, MATCH International, the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba and the Council of Women of Winnipeg, the UN Platform for Action Committee and the University Women's Club.

She received numerous awards and honours for her contributions, including the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Award. In 2003, she was also inducted into the Order of Canada.

The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg and the Manitoba Women's Advisory Council are pleased to announce the Call for Nominations for The Eira "Babs" Friesen Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring a woman, who, like Babs, has demonstrated courage, persistence and made a unique contribution to women's equality. The award will be presented at the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg Women of Distinction Dinner on Wednesday April 28, 2010 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

Click here to download a copy of the Eira "Babs" Friesen Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Form (pdf)

Deadline for Nominations is Monday March 1, 2010

For further information, please contact the Manitoba Women's Advisory Council at 204 945.6281.