Toots Everly, Red Lake winner of New Starts Woman Of Merit Award
New Starts For Women has named Ethel Nelson of Ear Falls and Toots (Elsie) Everly of Red Lake the 2021 Women of Merit.
Ethel and her husband Bill moved to Ear Falls in the 60’s where they opened ‘Nelson’s Propane’ while raising six children, effectively demonstrating women can ‘do it all’, especially given the time period.
Ethel is described in her nomination as ‘a force to be reckoned with’ with countless volunteer efforts.
Joining the Ear Falls Legion Branch #238 in 1968, Ethel organized meals, bingos and Remembrance Day ceremonies and remains an active member at 80 years young.
Ethel Nelson, Ear Falls winner of New Starts Woman Of Merit Award
Ethel is also an active member with the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Ear Falls Hospital Auxiliary, Whispering Pines Senior Centre, just to name a few of her contributions.
The nomination goes on to say Ethel is a role model for seniors, ‘while many seniors are content to sit out their golden years rather passively, Ethel shows us there’s no need to slow down’.
Toots (Elsie) Everly is described in her nomination as ‘fun, feisty, full of energy and forward thinking’ also with many contributions to her community.
While running her own insurance business and serving on a provincial insurance Board for a number of years, Toots mentored several women who also wanted careers in the field.
Between a busy home, church and work life, Toots always found the time and energy to volunteer.
Toots has been a member of the Red Lake Lions and Lioness Clubs for almost 50 years, is the current Chair of the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital Auxiliary-North Unit, volunteers for several senior programs at Northwest Home and Community Care, among many other achievements too numerous to list that further show her dedication to Red Lake.
New Starts congratulates all 11 nominees for their efforts, contributions and achievements in their communities.
