The Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU) Award has helped seven female students in the past two years pursue their university education.
It was launched back in 2016 and one of the latest winners is Sarah-Lynn Harding.
She is enrolled in her first year of studies at UNBC’s Public Administration and Community Development program.
It’s been a long road back for Harding.
“She experienced kind of compacted difficulties while working and maintaining a family, Sarah is absolutely like a star and all we want to do is help release that burden and the financial pressure valves,” says Dr. Zoe Meletis, Event Organizer, and Professor.”
Harding was facing a series of challenges and financial hardships along the way as last summer’s Cariboo wildfires displaced many of her family members in Williams Lake and a nearby First Nation.
In some cases, they were forced to live with her and the family back in Prince George, which prevented her to work.
In addition, she was supporting her five kids and her mother who was undergoing treatment at the BC Cancer Agency of the North.
The IWAU award coincides with their second annual Wine, Women and Song fundraiser is coming to the Prince George Playhouse next month.
“The idea is to be able to help lift women up with this award and so far, we’ve managed to award seven and we won’t be handing out the awards at this event but several of the winners will be at this event.”
Meletis all genders are welcome at the fundraiser.