Two of Lethbridge College’s own will be honoured as YWCA Women of Distinction for contributions to the college and community on Friday, the International Day of Women, at an awards ceremony at the Coast Hotel in Lethbridge.
Trudi Mason, dean for the Centre for Justice and Human Services, will be recognized in the area of Education and Mentorship. She is known as a collaborative academic and administrative leader as well as a talented musician and music instructor who contributes to Lethbridge’s vibrant arts scene.
Dawn Sugimoto, Communications manager, will be recognized in the Community Leadership and Enhancement category. In addition to an award-winning career in journalism and communications, Sugimoto is a longtime volunteer with the Lethbridge and District Humane Society and has served on the board, including her current role as president, of the Lethbridge and District Japanese Garden Society.
“Both Trudi and Dawn are so deserving of this recognition, as they are remarkable women and valued members of both our campus community and the Lethbridge community as well,” says Coreen Roth, vice president – people and engagement, Lethbridge College. “Through their thoughtful leadership, unwavering dedication, and ability to inspire everyone around them, Trudi and Dawn have truly made, and continue to make, our community a better place.”
Different groups of Lethbridge College colleagues, collaborators and community partners participated in both Mason’s and Sugimoto’s nominations.
“I have had the honour of being mentored by Trudi in a variety of roles in my career, and at every juncture, she has provided guidance, support and wisdom all while demonstrating servant leadership qualities,” says Dr. Kirsten Fantazir, the President's Applied Research Chair in Public Safety at Lethbridge College, who will introduce Mason at the ceremony. “Trudi builds rapport with diverse groups across campus because she is respectful, appreciative, tactful and positive. I have watched Trudi patiently mentor, coach and support others who may not believe in their capabilities, and she has helped many of us realize our full potential.”
In addition to her work at the college, Mason is also an active musician who performed and appeared as a soloist with numerous groups throughout Canada and the United States. She has also led chamber music groups for over 20 years including trumpet ensembles, quartets, quintets and brass ensembles. Through her teaching, Mason works with learners of all ages and has spent the majority of her life as an educator. As she shares her passion for teaching, learning and music with others, she says she aims to instill within them a lifelong love of both music and learning.
Sugimoto’s nomination was supported by the leadership and board at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, including executive director Michelle Day Miles, who wrote: “Dawn has encouraged and preserved the important relationships that have been cultivated with those who have a long-standing history in our community and with Garden supporters in Japan and across Alberta and Canada. She is also respected for the integrity she brings to everything she does. Growing up in southern Alberta, a third generation (sansei) child of Japanese immigrants, she continues to connect and engage with those of Japanese ancestry in our community. She inspires others and advocates to ensure our diverse community stories from the past are protected, she empowers those around her as she ensures people are heard and validated and when needed, she is also a fierce advocate in maintaining the Garden as a cherished Gem of the South, and an important space for Japanese Canadians in southern Alberta.”
Sugimoto studied print journalism at Lethbridge College and worked at the Lethbridge Herald for more than 20 years, where she served as the newspaper’s first female managing editor and was a finalist for a National Newspaper Award for editorial writing in 2005. A career in communications followed, first at a K-12 school division, and for the last six years at Lethbridge College, where she manages the Communications team.
The other women who will be honoured Friday night are Mandy DeCecco-Kolebaba in the Leadership and Empowerment category, and Kamryn Sandberg in the Young Woman of Promise category. More information about the awards ceremony and the important work the YWCA Lethbridge and District does can be found online.