“…Moments in life aren’t just created on their own. They’re shaped by the people you surround yourself with...the people that get you there.” – Sydney Shannon

Athlete and photographer Sydney Shannon from Whitecourt, Alberta is surrounded by her mom, dad, big brother Andrew, and her coaches who have acknowledged her talents and helped make her believe in dreaming big. In the video “I’m Sydney Shannon”, Sydney, who struggled as a kid with exclusion, describes herself as a “product of mentoring.”

This is a letter written by Michele Landsberg to the Village Bloggurls, the recipients of the 2014 Michele Landsberg Community Award Village.

It was wonderful fun for me to get to know all of you through your blog, your postings and videos. I know from your posts that you and your mentors are full of life and adventure….and sushi. Getting to know one another and writing reports about each other, you express your friendship, your open-ness, your generous acceptance of each other and your delight in being in a girls only group, where you could feel the freedom of not being constantly judged on your appearance.

Our voices matter and are important because often times our views, opinions, and ideas are brushed off or deemed insignificant just because we are girls, living in this male dominated society. Even though the laws protect women’s rights, it does not mean that people respect our rights.  Girls are treated differently because of their gender and their rights are nullified just for being born a female.  Even today, many girls are judged or looked down upon just because of their gender.