Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

A new woman for the Prince Albert Hall of Fame

Mar 13, 2011 | 8:18 AM

The Prince Albert Council of Women have a new picture to add to their Hall of Fame.

Sheryl Kimbley is being recognized for her years of volunteering and her work in improving the community.

“We see her as an exemplary young woman who is able to provide role models for people and who works in an advocacy role to try and make life better for people in Prince Albert and area,” said Linda Nosbush, president of the Prince Albert Council of Women.

Nosbush describes Kimbley as being selfless in her promotion and work with aboriginal arts, especially in helping organize the Northern Spirits youth showcase along with Voices of the North since its inception.

Kimbley has also worked around the community and Saskatchewan traveling to reserves to teach swimming lessons, giving her time to the food bank and youth programs, performing across the province for shows like Country North and Telemiracle, serving as a board member of Aboriginal Head Start and working with many other programs and organizations.

Nosbush said Kimbley has not only given her time, but when per diem is unavailable for shows she has worked with, she has been known to give it from her own pocket.

Kimbley was nominated by two women she had worked with at the First Nations University of Canada and the council’s executive committee voted unanimously for her to receive the award.

“We informed her on Friday and she was so humble, and she was in tears and just couldn’t believe that she’d been nominated,” said Nosbush.

Kimbley said she still can’t believe it, “I’m a little embarrassed still and I’m still a little bit in shock, it’s still sinking in.”

Kimbley is very humble about the award, when asked about it she talks about the others that she has worked with at every event.

“Every event that I do there is a big, huge team… that I work with that should be honoured just as well… So, I’m thinking of them and thinking they should be standing here getting the same honour,” she said.

The council’s theme for this year is “strong women, strong world” and Nosbush said part of the reason Kimbley was chosen is because she embodies this theme.

“In order to create the strongest world possible we need women to take leadership roles and we need women to act as role models throughout children’s lives… and also to be there to ensure that policies and programs and the advocacy that needs to be done is put in place,” said Nosbush.

The Prince Albert Council of Women picks someone every year to receive the award and have their photo join such notable women as Bernice Sayese and Donna Strauss on the second floor of City Hall.

lschick@panow.com