FREDERICTON (GNB) – A new award will recognize inspiring New Brunswick women and will celebrate progress towards gender equality.

The VIVE (Visionary, Inspirational, Vibrant, Empowering) award was announced today by Service New Brunswick Minister Sherry Wilson, who is also minister responsible for Women's Equality, at an event in celebration of International Women’s Day 2020.

“Women’s roles and contributions are often not part of the history books, yet they have many significant and inspiring stories that should be told; stories of courage, strength and perseverance,” said Wilson. “The inspiring women in our lives may never appear in any history book, but we can create our own recorded history by highlighting these women through the VIVE Awards.”

Students of all ages were invited to submit either a video, a poster or a story about a woman who inspires them. Entries were received from all regions of the province. These entries will be featured in the International Women’s Day Magazine and International Women’s Day E-zine, which will be shared provincewide. The top five submissions were featured at the March 6 event, they were as follows:

  • Sana Hashmat, Fredericton High School
  • Kenzie Auger, Woodstock High School
  • Gabby Byrne, Woodstock High School
  • Elianna Pitre and Shelby Henry, Superior Middle School, Bathurst
  • Vera Chen, Fredericton High School

Oromocto High School was awarded the School of the Year certificate for their demonstrated support of International Women’s Day 2020.

The VIVE award will consist of five categories for submissions:

  • Government Champion Category
  • Community Champion Category
  • Business Champion Category
  • Youth Champion Category
  • The Everyday Champion Category

The deadline for award nominee submissions is Nov. 1, 2020. Winners will be honoured at the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration. Nominee applications are now open and available online.