Tuesday is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, and women of Cranbrook gathered at the public library to recognize the local 2011 Women of the Year.

Velma McKay and Vicky Dalton were announced as this year's recipients last week by the Cranbrook branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW).

Velma was unable to attend Monday's function, but Vicky was present to receive her award.

Velma McKay is a long-time professor at the College of the Rockies who spent her spare time mentoring female students and women in crisis. Her story was published in last Wednesday's Townsman.

Vicky Dalton is pleased to share the award with Velma McKay as she has volunteered on many of the same projects. What Vicky did not know is that Velma, herself, wrote a letter of support in the nomination of Vicky! Both women were unaware they were being nominated for this prestigious award which has been given out for 27 years by the Cranbrook members of the CFUW.

Velma McKay said, "Vicky is so unassuming about all that she does, it is hard to know all of the areas in which she has been actively contributing over the years. I can think of no one that I would feel better recommending as Cranbrook's CFUW Woman of the Year award to other than Vicky. Her contributions to our community in regards to education and support of the most vulnerable women are unmatched by anyone else I know."

Many people in Cranbrook know Vicky through her 25 years of dedication she has given as a Youth Outreach Worker, and her enormous service as Coordinator at Cranbrook's Women's Resource Centre, as a non-stop Travelling Poverty Advocate throughout the East Kootenay and where she is now, the Cranbrook Women's Centre Coordinator.

Her husband, Gary, of 40 years knows her as his confidant, his support system and buddy, the mother of their four children and five (soon to be six) grandkids.

Vicky and Gary moved to Cranbrook in the mid 1970s from Vancouver where they had been living while Gary took acting jobs. Classical Theatre programs were being set up in this school district - Gary got the job and brought Vicky and their two children to start a life here. While pregnant with their third child, Vicky took a course at the College of the Rockies to become a human services worker.

The Daltons have a strong commitment to social justice and advocating for marginalized people.

"That doesn't mean we tell people what they need, but rather, we speak for those who cannot do so themselves. Ideally, we support and encourage people to give voice to their own needs," Vicky said when describing what her work entails.

It was this trust that Vicky instilled in her clients and with her bluntly diplomatic ability to develop relationships she has increased the effectiveness of the community services the Cranbrook area has today.

Over the years, Vicky has not only contributed to the education of women by teaching them about their rights and responsibilities pertaining to numerous government and social programmes, tenants and landlord rights, provincial and federal legislation, but she also undertook numerous research projects over the years, exploring the needs of vulnerable women in our district.

It is because of her hard work and talent for bringing people together that this community is more aware of women's issues. She has either organized herself, or helped organize, such events as the Take Back The Night Marches, December 6 Candlelight Vigils in memory of the Montreal Massacre, Vagina Monologues, Ride to Pride and the Clothesline Project.

Her work in the community goes beyond the women in need, however. Vicky has been a member of the Food Bank, and has worked hard with others in the community in the creation and support of homeless shelters.

Her ongoing involvement with ANKORS has helped educate many in our community about AIDS.

Vicky has also been very active in her union as a shop steward and has done a great deal to educate her colleagues in the social service sector about their contracts and women's issues.

All people who give of themselves need to find an outlet for fun. Vicky became an Air Search and Rescue volunteer as a spotter until her eagle-eye vision gave out.

It is with great pride the Cranbrook Club of the Canadian Federation of Women, of which Velma McKay was a member, honour Vicky Dalton as Woman of the Year 2011.