YWCA Women of Distinction Awards: Ceremony

This evening the YWCA is hosting its Women of Distinction Awards.

As a sponsor of the event I will be liveblogging throughout the ceremony to announce winners, post photos, and provide updates. If you’re following along on Twitter you can search for the tag #YWVanWODA throughout the evening.

The liveblog will begin around 6:30pm but we’ll have some content up before then. It’s bound to be great evening here at the Westin Bayshore and in the meantime you can read my previous posts about the awards for some background.

All of tonight’s nominees can be found listed here.

Update The nominees have started to arrive and they are being given gorgeous corsages. Outside the grand ballroom at the Westin there are over 50 silent auction items up for grabs. In my brief walk-through I found some awesome hockey artwork, jewelry from Tiffany’s, kayaking experiences, and gift certificates for The Boathouse, Crave, and Five Sails.

Update The nominees have just been introduced and dinner is about to begin. I just found out that there is a nominee at my Miss604.com table: Faith Garriock of Destination ImagiNation.

I also just saw on Twitter that there are people following these awards from across the globe, which is amazing. I’m already in awe of the achievements of each of the nominees and knowing their reach and worldwide impact is nothing short of inspirational.

Update Emcee Sophia Lui (Global TV) took to the stage to do introductions before dinner — I was recently on a panel with her at a Vancouver Board of Trade Event. She’s always fun to chat with and is constantly working hard at her craft, something I really respect.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Update Dinner is wrapping up and we’re getting ready for the awards ceremony. I will add the winners’ names next to the following categories in order, as they are announced:

Update There is a video playing telling the story of one inspiring woman – beaten and abused – who arrived in Vancouver with her young two sons in her arms and built up her life thanks to the YWCA’s Crabtree Corner. The YWCA touches the lives of over 53,000 members of the Greater Vancouver community each year.

Update As a reminder, all of the nominees were eligible for the Connecting the Community which is a people’s choice award. This will be the last award of the evening before the raffle prizes are drawn (which include a grand prize from WestJet) and we all head for home.

Update That concludes tonight’s program. The silent auction and raffles have ended, the dinner plates have been cleared, and that chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis is resting peacefully in my belly. I have a feeling that the Amanda Tapping followers around the world who have been checking in throughout the night are pretty pleased as well. Thanks to everyone for tuning in and supporting the work of the YWCA in Vancouver.