Debbie Jamerson's Efforts for Women Recognized

On March 8, Grassroots Women Manitoba held their third annual awards dinner at Kum Koon Garden restaurant. This event is held in celebration of International Women's Day and is an opportunity to pay tribute to women "whose lives are lived in the best of struggles."

Among this year's honourees was Debbie Jamerson (right), the national rep in Manitoba for the Canadian Labour Congress. Debbie has been described as "a trade union activist and trailblazer", but that doesn't go much beyond scratching the surface.

Debbie has held many positions within the Manitoba Government Employees Union, serving as an organizer, shop steward and president of her local, to name just a few of the positions she held in the union. She is also vocal in her belief that women need the security of a union job to improve all aspects of their lives from escaping violent relationships to achieving lifelong economic stability.

While being presented with the award, she chose to acknowledge some of the women who have made a difference in her professional life. Debbie then used the rest of her allotted time to encourage everyone at the dinner to become involved in the fight against the federal government's proposed changes to pay equity legislation.

Also honoured at the dinner were Marceline N Ndayumvire, an advocate for new Canadians - Dr. Susan Prentice, child care advocat - Susan Rodriguez, advocate for Filipino workers and human rights activist - and Frances Russell Murdoch, author and freelance journalist.