The Prince Albert Council of Women will be honouring two local women this year when it holds its annual induction ceremony into the Prince Albert Women’s Hall of Fame.
On Monday, the council announced that the 2019 inductee would be long-time educator (most recently as principal) Shelley Storey-Humble.
Storey has contributed to the Prince Albert community through several initiatives, not just through work, but also through her many areas of volunteerism. Through her work with Prince Albert Community Mobilization and as the educational representative at the Centre of Responsibility, she’s helped develop and deliver the Hunters with Heart Program to provide wild game for the food bank, the School Attendance Initiative to improve attendance and support schools and the Prince Albert Gang Strategy Partnership which supports a gang exit strategy for Prince Albert and other Saskatchewan communities. She’s also a member of the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute Alcohol let’s Talk Group, Carlton High School Monologs, and several drug and alcohol-related campaigns, as well as a don’t drive impaired or distracted campaign.
Her list of volunteer contributions is even longer:
Founding member of Prince Albert and Area Community Alcohol Strategy Steering Committee
Member of Wesmor Community High School Teen Facility Centre Board – worked with Board to establish Teen Facility Centre Transportation for Teen Moms
Member of the Early Childhood Education Council
Member of the Steering Committee for the Community Network Coalition
Member of the Prince Albert Community Against Family Violence Committee
Founding member of the Youth Outreach Program
Member of Race Relations & Social Issues Committee, City of Prince Albert
Member of Mayor’s Committee for Community Development, Prince Albert
Prince Albert and Area Teachers’ Federation Councillor
Member of the Youth Activity Centre Board
Member of the Prince Albert Exhibition Agricultural Committee
President of the Council of Exceptional Children, Prince Albert Chapter
“Growing up in a family that was always giving back to their community through volunteering, I think that had a lot to do with my desire to give back to my community,” she said.
“As an educator, we do that as well. We always want to make things better for our students and for our children. That’s been a big part of my life.”
Storey found out she was named as an inductee when she returned from the February break.
“I checked my e-mail when I got to work on Monday and it was there. When I read it, I actually had to read it three times before it actually set in that I was given this honour,” she said.
“It was unexpected. I’m extremely honoured and pleased.”
Storey is looking forward to the March 10 ceremony, when she can meet the other woman receiving an honour from the Prince Albert Council of Women, Irma Brunsdon.
Brunsdon is being honoured for lifetime achievement. The 87-year-old has volunteered in many capacities throughout her life. She has served on the board of the Community Co-Operated Health Centre and on the Co-op’s board of directors. She, along with her late husband Don, received the honour of Mrs. And Mr. Winter Festival in 1998.
Brunsdon helped lead fundraising efforts to buy a baby grand piano for the E.A. Rawlinson Centre, and lends her musical talents to local events and retirement homes in the area, all while staying involved with her church and with fundraising efforts at the health centre.
“It’s a very big honour,” she said.
“We played music, my husband and I. We started when my father and law was in the home in Prince Albert. We’d go with the kids and play at the home where he was. It seemed a natural thing to just keep on with it,” she said.
“Music keeps you young and it keeps you alert. It’s a bridge to meeting people in your community.”
Their music is what led to the Mr. and Mrs. Winter Festival, and to the Centennial volunteer medal, as well as an award from the North Central regional Recreational Association.
“I like volunteering because it gets you involved with people from so many walks of life,” Brunsdon said.
She thanked her husband for helping support her for so many years and for allowing her to give back to her community.
Storey hasn’t had the chance to meet Brunsdon in person, but she’s excited to be honoured along with her.
“I’ve read what has been published about her and I am so looking forward to meeting her,” she said.
“She is very worthy of this achievement and milestone in her life. She seems like a person you could really learn a lot from.”
Storey stressed how important it is to get involved and to do something that makes a difference.
“We’ve identified issues in our world. Let’s go and try to address those issues. You’re helping people and you’re trying to build something. That’s positive energy,” she said.
“The work I do makes me feel like I’ve actually contributed to the world. That’s a good feeling, making the lives of other people better and making our communities stronger.”
That’s why, Storey said, it’s important to recognize everyone who does their part to make Prince Albert a better place.
“We don’t celebrate enough. That’s one thing society doesn’t do. We need to look at the good things that are going on and celebrate the positive things,” she said.
‘Every person who gives back should be honoured in some way. This is just a great celebration of a lot of work that so many people in our community have done.”
The induction ceremony will take place at the Wildlife Federation Hall on March 10 at 2 p.m. to coincide with International Women’s Day, which falls on Friday, March 8.
Tickets are available by calling Patricia at 306 764-5051 or Rose at 306 961-8410. You may also purchase tickets by emailing rose.r@sasktel.net.
