www.insidehalton.com |OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 20, 2017 |1 2 W om en's C entre o f H alton celebrates Persons Day by Marta Marychuk Oakville Beaver Staff Sheila Simms, a 31-year-old Oakville woman said she woke up on July 13, 2007, and found everything had changed with her. "I ripped off that face shield of shame and decided to be strong," said Simms, lead corporate sponsor of an empowerment breakfast presented by the Women' s Centre of Halton Wednesday, Oct. 18 at the Holiday Inn Oakville. Describing traumatic relationships as "what I felt comfortable with. That' s what I was used to. It was the only normal I knew," Simms said, "My life had been filled with trauma." Family. Together forever. Pre-select space in our elegant Last Supper Mausoleum and honour your family and faith forever. For generations to come, our modern buildings will provide for comfortable visitation in any season. Complete your mausoleum pre-planning today. Take the first step. Call now. 905-257-1100 glenoaks.ca Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial 3164 Ninth Line (403 &Dundas St.), Mississauga/Oakville, ON ArborMemorial Inc. Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. It was an emotional moment for Simms and many others who were at the event, sponsorship of which, Simms explained was her way of giving something back to organizations, like the Women' s Centre of Halton, that support women in crisis, distress or transition. The breakfast was held on the anniversary of Persons Day Oct. 18. Martha Barragan, executive Director of the Women' s Centre of Halton, said Oct. 18 is the historic date when the decision to include women in the legal definition of persons was handed down by Canada' s highest court of appeal - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain - in 1929. This gave women many rights, which included being appointed to the Senate of Canada, and increased women' s participation in public and political life. Barragan said the five women who pursued the case have become known as the Famous Five and resulted in a milestone that was a turning point for equality; "Imagine what we can accomplish," Barragan told the 88 women attending the breakfast event that, in its aim to empower women, provided assistance in the form of two motivational speakers. One was Rosita Hall, a best selling author, well-known motivational speaker and coach. She holds a bachelor of social work degree from the University of Windsor and spent more than 26 years in various leadership roles. Hall emphasized the importance of heart-to-heart relationships as the key to creating a culture of excellence and developing an extraordinary team. "It' s not about competition," said Hall, who was recently named as one of the top 100 black women to watch in Canada. "Don't sell out on your authentic truth," Hall advised. Women, she said have an obligation to reach out and help other women. "When one of us rises, all of us rise." Shannon Tobin, an award winning entrepreneur with more than 25 years of success in the direct sales industry, said, "We all have a story Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional ladies." Tobin, who is now a philanthropist and motivational speaker, was recognized for her work in 2013 with a STEVIE Award for Women in Business: Female Mentor and Coach of the Year. She established the Dare to be You Foundation in 2012. Tobin whose father died tragically when she was three said she was a rebel without cause, but had a mother who helped her. "I could chose to be victimized," she said, but decided winners rise up. "Hurting people hurt people," she said. "Healed people elevate other people. They lift and rise up to help other people. If it' s going to be, it' s up to me," Tobin said. "We are in control of what we do on a daily basis." Ctassicjue `D ecor Come see why we have been chosen the B E S T ! flro ro P ? V A R IE T Y OF C H A IR S Proud Nominee of the 2015 Oakville Awards for Business Excellence in n n o B / TO CHOOSE FROM SO FA S E T STYLES MANY SUPERSTYLE P* FREE 1 INSTALLATION ON CABINETRY ON NEW PURCHASES ONLY Purchase $5,000 or more before taxes. Please see showroom for details. F IR E P L A C E U N IT S ELEGANT SELECTION OF U P H O LST ER ED H EA D BO A RD S m any s t y l e s & f a b r ic s a v a il a b l e '. F F fE RE N D S N O V E M B E R 3 0/2717 ; 3 "' III] ]!! ARTW O RKS (GROUP OF SEVEN) MANY D IF F E R E N T Custom made Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinetry |Closet Systems Entertainment Units |Basement Renovations |Full Renos and More! Create Your Dream Look 100% Canadian Made Cabinetry Quality Craftsmanship 20+ Years Experience Visit our 6000 sqft Design Centre Call us for a FREE in Home Consultation SO U T HO A K V iLLEC EN T R E(f o r m e r lyH o p e d a le M a lI ) B U R LIN G TO NM A LLN e w lo a tio n( C l o s etoH u d s o nB a y ) 905 . 847.2975 905 . 635.8779 Classique-Decor.com Units 2-3 333 Wyecroft Rd, Oakville T 905.844.3332 F 905.844.3334 www.aromakitchens.ca | info@aromakitchens.ca