Paths and Pathfinders Program
In 1996, as part of International Women’s Day celebrations in the community, Archivist Val Billesberger established the Paths and Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program to preserve, and provide access to materials which document the lives and contributions of women in the City of Mission (formerly the District of Mission 1969-2021), Hatzic Prairie, Hatzic Island, Dewdney, Deroche, Nicomen Island, Lake Errock and McConnell Creek. To date, the lives and contributions of 116 women have been documented. Click here to find out who they are.
A key part of this program is the Annual Women of Mission Gala (formerly known as the Annual Celebration of Women) which is held in October during Women’s History Month in Canada to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional and every day real life contributions of women.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Paths & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program
The Mission Community Archives is once again accepting nominations for the Paths & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program. Since the inauguration of the program in 1996, the Community Archives has recognized and built its holdings on more than 100 women who have helped shape the community.
We need your help in identifying who will be honoured in 2024. Within your organization, family or workplace there are undoubtedly women who are worthy of recognition. We encourage you to use a nomination form to let us know who they are.
Nominations for this year’s Annual Celebration of Women are being accepted until the end of April. To be eligible the nominee must have lived or presently reside in the District of Mission, Hatzic Prairie, Hatzic Island, Dewdney, Deroche, Nicomen Island, Lake Errock and/or McConnell Creek.
The nominator must submit, on two pages or less, biographical information about the nominee, including her length of residence in the community, field of endeavor and personal attributes along with 2 letters of support for the nominee from family, friends, organizations etc. Click Here to download the 2024 Nomination form. The deadline is Tuesday, April 30th.
For further information, please call 604 837-7569 or send an email to the Archivist Val Billesberger.
2023 Annual Women of Mission Gala
More than 100 people, including local dignitaries, attended the 26th annual Women of Mission Gala at All Saints Anglican Church Hall on Saturday (Oct. 21).
The event is an integral part of the Paths and Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program by the Mission Community Archives. It was established in 1996 to bridge the gaps left in Mission’s history about women.
Held to both honour and increase the visibility of women, the 2023 gala celebrated the lives and achievements of Madeleine Engh, a strong self-made woman and animal lover with diverse capabilities whose passions lay in the creative arts; Pascale-Sara Frenette a visionary community builder whose enthusiasm and adaptability inspires those around her; and Shirley Hilton a lifelong learner whose industrious spirit and caring nature have helped shape our community.
Featured at the event was local emerging writer Charis Young who read a heart-touching poem she wrote specially for the occasion, evoking womanhood and preserving women’s experiences and voices through time.
During the gala archivist Val Billesberger announced a new satellite event for the program in March 2024. Titled Up Close and Personal: Women of Mission, the event will feature live storytelling by local women previously acknowledged through the Paths & Pathfinders Program.
View our photo gallery of the event featuring photographs by Ellen Nguyen. If you wish to order any images please contact the Archives
Madeleine Engh
Pascale-Sara Frenette
Shirley Hilton
2023 Annual Women of Mission Gala Photos
2021-2022 Annual Women of Mission Gala
On October 1st, 2022, the Mission Community Archives hosted the 25th Annual Women of Mission Gala at All Saint’s Anglican Church. The event was a smashing success! Tickets were sold out for the first time. More than 80 guests celebrated the lives and contributions of honourees: Ann Mohs, Barbara Strachan, and Margaret Peake. The event opened with a special welcome speech by Chief Alice Thompson of the Leq’á:mel First Nation followed by a celebratory toast to women given by MLA Pam Alexis. View our photo gallery of the event featuring photographs by Ellen Nguyen and Bob Friesen. If you wish to order any images please contact the Archives