Kincardine native Kendra Fisher is keynote speaker at International Women's Day

Kincardine native Kendra Fisher is the keynote speaker at the International Women's Day celebration, hosted by the Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey, Saturday, March 3, at the Lakeshore Recreation Centre in Port Elgin.

A dynamic and informative speaker, Fisher will talk about her journey from growing up in a small town, to recruitment onto a national hockey team, destined to represent Canada, to a devastating realization and eventually finding herself, on the other side of the darkness. She is now "Breaking the Silence" about mental illness and women's stereotypes.

"She is one of the best keynote speakers I've ever heard," said Lori Harding, Women's House board chairperson. "I can't wait to hear her again!"

Fisher grew up in Kincardine, and with the support of her family and her town, she quickly achieved success in her hockey career. Years ago, when faced with the opportunity to realize her dream of goaltending for Team Canada, she was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder coupled with severe panic attacks, depression and agoraphobia, forcing her to leave the national program in order to seek help to live with what had become a crippling disease.

She now shares her personal journey and has joined efforts to bring mental health issues to the forefront. It is her hope that her story will offer both hope and promise to others dealing with mental illness. She will also share her struggles along her path, as a woman in the hockey world, tearing down stereotypes, and how everything in her life has led her to where she is now, living happily in Toronto, with her wife and young son at her side.

This year's International Women's Day will also include lots of fun and interesting activities, says Michelle Lamont, community and fund development co-ordinator for Women's House. The event features delicious hors d'oeuvres, signature drinks, a decadent dessert buffet, a silent auction, live auction, and lots of prizes.

"We have brought back our Trivia Game, and have a BOSE Soundlink Revolve (valued at $350, donated by Bruce Power) as the prize for the trivia winner," says Lamont. "We will also be announcing the winners of our coveted Woman of Distinction Award and Young Woman of Distinction Award."
 
Tickets are $50 each and are going fast. You can purchase yours by calling Lamont at 519-396-9814, Ext. 225, or by E-mail at: mlamont@whsbg.on.ca.