2006 Woman of the Year Awards

The 2006 Woman of the Year was Marie McLaughlin Smith, (righ), shown with last year's winner, Loreen Rice Lucas.

Shown above is the 2006 recipient of the Young Woman of the Year Award, Alisha Fernandes,(right) with last year's winner Lisa Brooking.

Marie McLaughlin Smith - 2006 Woman of the Year

Marie MacLachlan Smith offers a full and lengthy history of caring and helpful assistance for everyone who is searching for advocacy, support and guidance.

Marie's early life was near South River, Ontario. When married in 1951, she moved to Magnetawan. Then in 1966 she and her family moved to Gravenhurst. She was an elementary and high school teacher for 36 years.

She was head of the Visual Arts Department in Gravenhurst for 17 years. during this time she volunteered with the Gravenhurst Opera House, the Canadian Cancer Society, and canvassed for the CNIB and the Salvation Army as well as serving on the local home and school association.

In 1958, Marie moved to Orillia and we became the beneficiaries of her dedication and community involvement. She and her husband, Al Smith were tireless advocates for seniors. She has served on numerous committees and received several awards for her tireless dedication to seniors. Marie continues to serve her community and inspires others to follow her path of service.

Marie is Past President of the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, she has co-chaired for Simcoe North, International Year of the Older Person, she has been honoured with Senior of the Year in 1999 by L.Governor Hillary M. Weston, she is first vice (president elect) for the United Seniors Association of Ontario, and a board member of the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. These are only a few of Marie's accomplishments and accolades, and she is still going strong!

Alisha Fernandes -
2006 Young Woman of the Year

Alisha is an honour role student and peer mentor. She is active in church and sponsors a child with Childcare International. She is also an accomplished pianist and a member of the Orillia Silver Band. Her goal is to help others in one of the following careers, Optometry, Pharmacy or Paediatrics.

2006 Women of Distinction The two other nominees for the 2006 Award were Karen Stevens and Sharon Berdusco.

The nominees for Young Woman of the Year were Robin Manley, Shelby Guthrie, Alisha Ferndandez, and Pamela Lamb.

Previous Winners

View 2005 and previous winners of the OBWA Woman of the Year Award.