FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(CHARLOTTETOWN PE) February 22, 2017 – In celebration of International Women’s Day, the PEI Military Family Resource Centre (PEI MFRC) is hosting a global virtual event featuring three inspirational Canadian women.
The PEI MFRC has been hosting virtual events about health, finances, and other aspects of military life since 2015, serving military families across the country and world. This year, the organization’s International Women’s Day event will be an interactive presentation featuring the stories of three women connected to the Canadian Armed Forces. The event will take place online March 6 at 730PM AST.
Christine Gordon Manley
Christine Gordon Manley, a freelance editor and co-owner of writing–editing business Manley Mann Media, lives in Prince Edward Island. Christine’s husband has been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for twelve years, during which time she’s adapted to training exercises away from home, irregular work schedules, and demands and worries outside of a typical 9-5 job.
“I’ve had no choice but to learn balance in my life…or at least fake it to maintain sanity,” Gordon Manley says. She will be speaking to participants about the vital role self-care plays in life balance, as well as finding and creating support when part of a military family with no base nearby. “There’s no base in PEI, so it’s not always easy belonging to a military family here—you have to be creative in finding support.”
Kendra Mellish
Kendra Mellish, who also lives in Prince Edward Island, is a retired Captain with 27 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. She is also a mother, sister, widow, and OSIS (Operational Stress Injury Social Support) Peer Support Coordinator for PEI.
“I have first-hand knowledge of the military lifestyle, and I’ve gone away on deployment,” Mellish says, “so I’m highly driven to advocate for peer support.”
In her role as Peer Support Coordinator, Mellish has successfully brought veterans and families together, and she will speak to participants about the strong role support plays in military families.
“After I lost my husband, I faced many challenges I had to overcome,” Mellish says. “I use my own experience to serve military families on PEI.”
Heather Witherden (Photo Credit: Teri Hofford)
Heather Witherden is a comic from Winnipeg who enjoys blending humour into her daily life. She’s performed in such events as the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Breast Friends, Stretchmarks, Tazzy’s Angels, and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. She’s also appeared on CBC Radio’s So You Think You’re Funny and Definitely Not the Opera.
“I’m known as Winnipeg’s favourite wisecracking mom,” Witherden jokes, “but I’ve just learned how to face challenges with humour. It helps.”
Witherden has been part of Winnipeg’s local comedy community for ten years. In 2018, she will celebrate her film debut, playing an asylum patient in Cult of Chucky.
When she’s not busy making others laugh, Heather works at the Winnipeg Military Family Resource Centre.
Margaret MacKenzie, Virtual Program Coordinator for the PEI MFRC, looks forward to the interactive event. “We have a dynamic team of three women for our March 6th event—an entrepreneur and military spouse, a CAF member and Peer Support Coordinator, and a comic and MFRC staff member. It’s going to be a great time connecting, celebrating, and sharing stories.”
There is no cost to attend this International Women’s Day event; however, spaces are limited due to the virtual platform’s capabilities. Participants are encouraged to register early to reserve their spot by clicking the link in the events calendar available at cafconnection.ca/PEI/
ABOUT PEI MFRC
The PEI Military Family Resource Centre (PEI MFRC), a non-for-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors, believes that military families play a vital role in the success of Canada’s men and women in uniform. To that end, the PEI MFRC is committed to ensuring that military families residing in Prince Edward Island thrive and that the people of Prince Edward Island recognize and support Canada’s men and women in uniform.
MFRCs are committed to enriching the lives of individuals and families in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) communities through positive action, education, and support. MFRCs provide relevant programs and services that empower and encourage strong, independent individuals and families within the CAF.
MFRCs deliver programs with the funds received from Military Family Services (MFS).
ABOUT Military Family Services
Military Family Services (MFS) is responsible for the management of the Military Family Services Program (MFSP) on behalf of the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). MFS exists to resource, promote and sustain the excellence, relevance and accountability of the MFSP.
Contact:
Margaret MacKenzie
Virtual Program Coordinator
PEI Military Family Resource Centre
902.892.4047
virtual.mfrcpei@gmail.com
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I was sooo disappointed to have missed (due to circumstances beyond my control) the international womens event. Will it be available to listen to as a webinar?
Dianne Gallant