The 2017 recipient of Sisters in Society’s (SIS) award for women’s advancement is Dianne Mowat, the recently retired vice president of the Inergi Local.
The SIS Award is given annually to an individual who has contributed significantly to the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality. In the award’s inscription SIS noted, “Dianne Mowat is the winner of the 2017 SiS Award in recognition for her many years advocating and supporting women’s issues within The Society of United Professionals.” Mowat was one of the founding sisters of SIS when it was restarted 10 years ago.
Mowat was a sparkplug of energy at every SEP event. A staple at rallies, Mowat was often the one cheering and chanting the loudest. Mowat also organized support for many charities, including the Big Bike Ride for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and bake sales for Syrian refugees.
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Dianne!
Below are the remarks of Inergi CSO LVP and acting EVP Policy Tracy Miller, who spoke at Mowat’s retirement party and presented her with the SIS award.
I remember the day I heard the news that Dianne Mowat had decided to retire. How can this be possible? She’s too young, she is too valuable to the Society and to her members…what will we do without her?
I remember the day I met Dianne. It was a Saturday in the fall of 2001 and I was attending Delegates Training at the Colony Hotel. I was a new delegate and Dianne was there as one of my ‘peer’ advisors. From the moment I met her, she left me in awe. Her matter of fact manner, her ability to say what needed to be said, her positive attitude and her passion were contagious. I am not sure that she knew, but Dianne quickly became one of my mentors in how to handle this new to me organization called the Society.
From the very beginning Dianne, you believed in me, you gave me confidence and reassurance. You led the way. You named me the Acting Unit Director of our Bargaining Group when Jack Neil was on parental leave and you left to successfully fight breast cancer.
And I say successfully, because Dianne, you fought that disease like a Super Hero! Sprinting the 5K Breast Cancer Walk dressed like Wonder Woman just about sums up how you dealt with this disease. Through your journey you discovered a love for Dragon Boating which you still enjoy today. The places you have visited through your competitions, the women you have met and inspired, the youngsters you have replaced or beat out on National Teams…the memories you have made.
You came back to us at the Society with your hot pink hair and your cando attitude! Your Society journey has taken you through many positions, many opportunities and many challenges. Through it all you have consistently fought for the betterment of others.
It goes without saying Dianne that we will miss you. My words of advice to you as you enter the next chapter of your journey are: You are too young not to leave us and do the things you love! You are too valuable to your friends and family for us to keep you ‘working’ any longer. They have already given us so much of your time, your weekends, your evenings, it’s their turn now! Most of all leave us knowing that you have paved the way for many of us to continue in your footsteps and to fight for what is right!
You were one of the founding Sisters of Sisters in Society, the Women’s Committee of the Society of United Professionals. Your strength, your courage, your dedication, your perseverance, your passion, your belief in others, your commitment to always do what is right has paved the way for many of the folks in this room today. It is my honour to award my colleague, my friend, my mentor, my tormentor, my SiSter Dianne Mowat with the 2017 Sisters in Society Award today.
Thank you for everything Dianne! You are one of a kind!
