Jamie McMillan, Journeyman, Ironworker/Boilermaker, founder of KickAss Careers and co-founder of Workplace Equality Awareness Ribbon (WE Ribbon), will be the keynote speaker at the 2020 Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey International Women's Day event March 3. Jamie McMillan photo

The Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey (WHSBG) and the County of Bruce have partnered this year to bring you the International Women’s Day Celebration on Tuesday, March 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lakeshore Recreation in Port Elgin.

In a Women's House media release, just like last year, when a sold out crowd enjoyed the keynote speaker and activities throughout the evening, the 2020 event will once again offer an event filled evening with stories of triumph and will highlight those who have made significant contributions to their community.

Those granted Awards of Distinction for 2020 are:

Woman of Distinction Award: Ruth Montgomery
Young Woman of Distinction Award: Morgan Ritchie
Inspiring Woman of Distinction Award: Amy Bross

Criteria for the awards include providing inspiration and motivation to others, been recognized as a positive role model, displaying leadership qualities, vision, innovation and courage and advocating for positive change, particularly for women and girls.

Previous years have seen just two awards granted, the Woman of Distinction and the Young Woman of Distinction, but for 2020 WHSBG had a third a compelling submission that they felt deserved recognition. Amy Bross was a winner "by a wide margin," read the release.

"Amy passed away from a tragic accident recently, and since part of our criteria for being eligible for the award is that the recipient must be present to accept it, that made her ineligible," the release continued.

"Since she made such an impact, not only on her family, her nominator and our judges, but also on our community, that it made us determined that she needed to be acknowledged in some way," the release said.

For 2020 only, WHSBG have created a posthumous award, the Inspiring Woman of Distinction. Amy Bross's family will be accepting the award on her behalf.

The March 3 event promises appetizers and a dessert bar, a cash bar, a trivia game and a silent and live auction.

The Keynote Speaker is Jamie McMillan, Journeyman, Ironworker/Boilermaker. McMillan is the founder of KickAss Careers whose mission is to engage, educate and encourage youth to consider careers in MITC sectors through school and community outreach.

She is also co-founder of Workplace Equality Awareness Ribbon (WE Ribbon), whose goal is to build relationships with individuals, organizations, industry and government in unified support and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Tickets are available online through eventbrite.ca.