Patricia Roy-Ballem, Chairperson of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, announces exciting additions to the Advisory Council and office with the appointment of two new members to the nine-person membership of the Council and the hiring of two part-time staff persons.
Hon. Pat Mella, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, and her colleagues in Cabinet have finalized the new appointments to the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. The current members of the Advisory Council will be joined by Margaret Koren of Belle River and Wendy MacLaren of Morell.
Margaret Koren is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick Law School and was recently called to the Bar. She is an active volunteer in community organizations and has served on the board of the Carousel Family Resource Centre in Montague. Margaret is a single mother of two children and resides in Belle River. She has been appointed for a three-year term.
Wendy MacLaren is from Morell and has been appointed for a three-year term. She is a Certified Early Childhood Educator and works with the Morell Early Childhood Development Centre. Over the years, Wendy has been an active volunteer with a number of community organizations including Girl Guides of Canada, Morell Home & School, 4-H and as the President of the Morell Figure Skating Club.
All appointments made to the Advisory Council are made by Executive Council at the recommendation of the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. Nominations for vacant positions on the Advisory Council are forwarded to the Minister Responsible after consultation with women's groups in various communities across the Island, as well as being forwarded from the general public. These nominations take into consideration women from all parts of the province while collectively portraying regional, cultural and ethnic diversity.
"In addition to the two Council members," Ballem states, "We are also pleased to announce the hiring of Cheryl J. Dalziel to fill the existing Communications Coordinator position and Patricia MacAulay, who will fill the new staff position as Researcher/Policy Analyst."
Cheryl J. Dalziel has extensive experience in communications. She has been employed with the PEI Division of the Red Cross as Public Relations Director, Executive Director of Race Relations Education Association and for the past year and half she has been the part-time Policy Coordinator in the Dean's Office of the Atlantic Veterinary College.
Patricia MacAulay has traveled around the globe stopping to work in Africa and Asia. After working for several years as a High School English teacher, Patricia ventured into self-employment working in the areas of education, research, writing, entertainment production and most recently doing training and education in the field of technology.
Chairperson Roy-Ballem comments, "It is exciting to think of the accomplishments that the Advisory Council can look forward to with these new additions. The new Council members will bring their insight to advancing the status of women and families in the provinces; while with the additional office staff, we will be better able to communicate the issues to both the provincial government and Islanders. Together we can strive for changes that will help Island women secure equal access to opportunities."
The Advisory Council is mandated to advise the provincial government and bring before the public matters relating to the status of women.
Contact: Patricia Roy-Ballem, Chairperson, 368-4510
Heidi Rankin, Director, 368-4510