By Don Fraser, QMI Agency
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 12:00:00 EDT AM
Success has come to Betty Ann Baker both in business and in her significant community contributions to Niagara -especially its vulnerable citizens.
The winner of this year's Women In Business-Woman of the Year Award said she was surprised and thrilled by the honour.
It was presented to Baker at a luncheon at the Quality Hotel Parkway Convention Centre yesterday.
"I just can't believe I'm here," she said to the crowd of 350.
"This is like a dream. This is award goes out to (my mentors) and to the organizations that I represent, as well," Baker said.
Baker, who lives in Welland, has helped create and run three regional organizations that have made a major impact in the area.
Niagara Peninsula Homes is a nonprofit resource group based in Welland that she helped establish 27 years ago.
It has helped develop more than 2,700 units of co-op, non-profit and supportive housing.
"The projects not only provide much-needed housing, but they contribute to the local tax base," Baker said at the ninth annual ceremony.
"They create employment for construction, and employment for the ongoing management of these projects," she said.
Niagara Presents is a for-profit agency owned and operated by Niagara Peninsula Homes and based in Beamsville.
Known for its gift baskets, it has operated since 1999. It assists independent growers, wineries and specialty- food makers with co-packing services and some distribution.
"We are a huge buying force in Niagara, and economies all over the world have been able to turn things around by taking local buying strategies," Baker told the crowd.
Niagara Peninsula Homes also operates the Niagara Women's Enterprise Centre in Welland, an 11- year-old charity. It focuses on hospitality and administrative training for women who are unemployed or underemployed.
Baker -diagnosed several years ago with macular degeneration -also spoke about the importance of being aware of the eye condition. If untreated, it can cause serious vision loss.
"I had never heard of this disease when I got diagnosed ... so please get your eyes checked," she said.
"It is affecting more and more women every day."
Standard advertising manager and awards program organizer Julia Coles praised Baker as a "true representative of women in business and an ambassador of our business community."
Earlier, Sandie Thomson and Suzanne Nicks from the award-winning Niagara children's entertainment group the Smudge Fundaes spoke to the crowd about the challenges of managing a creative business.
They spoke of being persistent marketers who strive for integrity and quality. They also sang together, to introduce chapters of their story.
After the event, Baker said the awards program is an excellent way to spotlight Niagara women.
"It's important to recognize that behind every woman that gets recognized, there's a whole crew of people they work with who should also be recognized," she said.
Last year's Women in Business winner was Laura Menechella, chief operating officer of Niagara 21st Group.