Nelle Carter was the first OBWA Woman of the Year

Nelle Carter Woman of the Year Awards

The Orillia Woman of the Year Award is named for Nelle Carter, an outstanding woman and community leader. Nelle Carter was an outstanding businesswoman, the first woman to be elected to Orillia City Council, and the first person to be named Orillia's Citizen of the Year.

The Woman of the Year Award is given to someone respected for her outstanding work in her community, in the workplace, at home, or all three. She is someone who enhances the lives of other people, and in particular, of other women. She is a woman who exemplifies all that is best in professional success, enriches her community by her active contributions, improves the lives of women and girls by example, and achieves a life balance without sacrificing personal values. Nominations are accepted from the community in May. All candidates are considered Women of Distinction and are honoured at our Awards Dinner held in May.

Recipients of the Woman of the Year Awards

Lisa Brooking Young Woman of the Year Awards

In 2005, Lisa Brooking became our first Young Woman of the Year, and in future, the award will be named after Lisa. Nominees for Young Woman of the Year must demonstrate high scholastic achievement, participation in extra school activities, volunteer work in the community and be seeking post-secondary education.

All of our Women of the Year and Young Women of the Year receive a lifetime membership to the Orillia Business Women's Association.