For outstanding contributions in a wide spectrum of fields, the May Court Club of Chatham has announced six honorees for the Women of Excellence 2024.
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The awards, which will be officially presented later next month, recognize those from Chatham-Kent who’ve made a difference, whether it was in the community or elsewhere.
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Introduced during a recent member-hosted gathering, the honorees include:
• Dr. April Rietdyk (business and professions)
• Lori Marshall (health, science and technology)
• Christine Baribeau (arts and culture)
• Dr. Margery Holman (education and training)
• Jann Wickett (community and volunteerism)
• Meagan King (young woman of excellence)
Rietdyk recently retired as Chatham-Kent’s general manager of community human services, with various senior public health roles also on her resume.
She admitted the honor felt “unreal,” adding she simply loves to serve her community.
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“All I did for 40 years was go to work,” Rietdyk said. “I have been able to work with an amazing group of people, who are all dedicated to really making Chatham-Kent better.”
May Court noted her leadership during challenging times, including the Erie Shore Drive flooding, Wheatley gas explosion and COVID-19 pandemic.
Marshall, who also announced she’s retiring this year as president and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, was “highly honored and humbled” by the award.
“There really is no greater honor than to be recognized in your own community,” she said. “What you do matters.”
Baribeau, a teacher at Chatham-Kent Secondary School, believes if someone does what they love “it doesn’t feel like work.”
In addition to teaching, she has been involved with many local musical productions, along with Theater Kent, St. Andrew’s United Church Choir and Bel Canto Choir School.
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Holman has taught for 42 years in the kinesiology department at the University of Windsor. She served as the first director of women’s sports at the university for 18 years, in addition to coaching volleyball.
“It feels like the circle is complete now,” she said of being honored in her home community. “I’m back where I grew up.”
She called it important to highlight women’s achievements, noting society has made strides, but there is still more work to do.
Wickett, a retired educator in the Lambton Kent District School Board, also taught business at St. Clair College.
She has co-sponsored, along with her husband, the Dr. Jack Parry Scholarship Award for the top female and male athletes in Chatham-Kent high schools, and has served on numerous community boards.
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“I know a lot of the women in May Court and every single one of them deserves this award, as do so many people in our community,” Wickett said. “Giving back is the big thing… We all need to live by our words.”
King, who attended Ursuline College Chatham, and now Humber College, has a long list of clubs and organizations under her belt.
In total, she completed more than 770 hours of community service. While doing this, she achieved honors in each of her high school years.
She was excited to be chosen as one of the women of excellence.
“It’s probably one of the biggest (honors) I’ve received,” she said. “I really like to serve others. I find a great joy in meeting other people for a greater cause.”
The honorees will be recognized April 26 at a dinner taking place at the Portuguese Club in Chatham.
Tickets are now on sale at $125 each and can be purchased by contacting Maxine at 519-436-0692, or [email protected] or Anne at 519-352-2710.
Proceeds from the ticket sales will help fund May Court’s work with women and children in the community.
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