Chief Ramona Horseman (top), Devon Potter (bottom left) and Jackie Benning (bottom right) were named the recipients of 2021 Women of Influence Awards on Friday (Photos: T. Sedore Photography / City of Grande Prairie)

By Shaun Penner

Women of Influence

Three local women recipients of 2021 Women of Influence Awards

Mar 5, 2021 | 2:13 PM

The City of Grande Prairie’s 2021 Women of Influence Awards were handed out virtually Friday.

The annual awards are meant to recognize local women who have made a strong impact on the community by promoting equality and providing opportunities for women in the community.

The awards are given out each year on International Women’s Day.

The three awards were given to Devon Potter for Young Woman of the Year, Jackie Benning for Trailblazing Woman of Influence and Chief Ramona Horseman for Distinguished Woman of the Year.

Profiles on all three winners can be found below:

Young Woman of Influence – Devon Potter

Devon Potter is named this year’s Young Woman of Influence for her years of dedication to the community starting at a very young age.

Devon has proven herself a strong advocate and community builder through her roles in Rotary and Grande Prairie Live Theatre. Through her leadership, she single-handedly rose the profile of the Rotary Club, breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes to ensure the club was viewed as an equal and legitimate member of Rotary, while also challenging the demographics of what it means to be a Rotarian, and mentoring future leaders to build the club’s legacy.

Currently, she is the Area Governor for Rotary and successfully co-chaired the 2019 Rotary District Conference, making a demonstrable difference both locally and globally.

Devon Potter earned the Young Woman of Influence Award (Photo: T. Sedore Photography / City of Grande Prairie)

Trailblazing Woman of Influence – Jackie Benning

Jackie Benning is the recipient of this year’s Trailblazing Woman of Influence, as a shining example of what it means to challenge gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping and celebrate women’s achievements.

As co-founder of the grassroots movement Hug-A-Sister, she was instrumental in shaping a local response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women through government advocacy, public education, and fostering healthy relationships in our community.

Recently, Jackie has also been a major force behind the Medicine Box Project to provide community members the opportunity to engage in Indigenous traditional knowledge and medicines during the pandemic.

Through her steadfast commitment to providing cultural education and awareness and her inclusive approach to leadership that is always inviting others to take the lead, she continues to make an impact and inspire action.

The Trailblazing Woman of Influence Award went to Jackie Benning (Photo: T. Sedore Photography / City of Grande Prairie)

Distinguished Woman of Influence – Chief Ramona Horseman

Chief Ramona Horseman is being recognized this year as the Distinguished Woman of Influence.

In her roles as the Grand Chief of the Western Cree Tribal Council and Deputy Grand Chief of Treaty No. 8 First Nations, she has made an immeasurable impact at the local, provincial and national level, including a meeting at the Privy Council Office in Ottawa, by redefining what it means to have meaningful relations between Indigenous Peoples, industry, government and the natural environment.

Most notably, at the 2020 AGM of Treaty No. 8, Chief Horseman secured unanimous approval to allow all First Nations to invest directly into a large petrochemical project near Grande Prairie.

She views her work as a generational opportunity and constantly seeks new ways to build partnerships and provide opportunities and create strong futures socially and economically.

Chief Ramona Horseman earned the Distinguished Woman of Influence Award (Photo supplied by the City of Grande Prairie)

(Profiles by the City of Grande Prairie)