An Espanola woman is representing the LaCloche Foothills Region at a national women’s empowerment competition.
Rosalind Russell, who is known as the morning host and regional news anchor for Moose 99/3FM-Espanola is representing the region, which includes the Town of Espanola and the three townships of Nairn & Hyman, Baldwin, and Sables-Spanish Rivers at the Ms. Elite Regional Canada Competition slated for April 25 to 27 in Sudbury.
Russell was invited back last fall to continue her advocacy work for the wider community and says she is looking forward to sharing her expertise and friendship with the other 22 women who will be competing in four categories, Ms. Regional Canada (Unmarried): Women aged 25 to 39; Ms. Elite Regional Canada (Unmarried): For those who are 40 years old or older and unmarried; Mrs. Regional Canada (Married): Women aged 25 to 39 who are married and Mrs. Elite Regional Canada (Married): For married women aged 40 or older.
“I’m not the oldest participant taking part,” laughs Russell. “At 66, I still love to dress up, speak up and have a great time with other women who have so much to share. I am the queen of my universe, and my children are my crowning jewels. That said, the oldest competitor is 72. I can’t wait to meet her.
“This competition is not like the ones held for the younger age groups in that the women are all well established in their careers, some are raising families, and some are running their own businesses,” says Russell. “It is for women to gather and share their experiences and expertise to empower other women to advocate for their various causes, enjoy each other’s company and shared knowledge.
“The causes the women advocate for are varied because they all come from different backgrounds, from nursing to CEOs, wedding officiants to nurses, health care workers to office personnel, so everyone has experiences to share that are different from anyone else’s.
“Being older, the competition provides them with the opportunity to share their ideas, network and further develop their skills in public speaking and addressing the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives.”
Russell says, for example, she shares her expertise with other women in helping them to develop relationships with media and how to use the power of media to share their messaging, even with something as simple as knowing how to write a press release.
She says her advocacy will centre around the re-establishment of long-term care facilities for the mentally ill.
“I have a family member who is paranoid schizoid and I have been helping him over the last 20+ years since he was diagnosed, but the system is not easy to work with,” stresses Russell. “His genetic condition is cyclical so when he starts to feel ‘normal’, he stops taking his medications and the cycle of forming him into hospital and then out on the street begins once again.
“He is simply not able to function in normal society and that leads to many challenges.
“Everyone hears about the mentally ill, the homeless, the addicted, but many do not understand or know the reality of dealing with an individual facing these challenges every day. Not everyone who is on the street is an addict. Some are simply mentally incapable of maintaining a home, a budget, making appointments or dealing with the stressors of coping with living on their own independently.
“I’m older now and am not able to provide him the supports he needs, but if the powers that be were to provide long-term care with a warm bed, meals, regular routine, and programming, and I am talking months, let alone years, it would ease the burden on families, society at large, and especially the person dealing with their individual challenges.
“The reality of dealing with these challenges cause a lot of stress on families, but I especially feel for those who have no one to advocate for them.”
Russell says the competition will provide yet another avenue for her to push for changes to the system to allow for better care and housing for the most vulnerable who need the security of a safe place to live and grow.
“Homelessness often stems from mental illness and/or addictions. The first step is providing a safe place to call home and then move forward from there. Whether we like to admit it or not, there are individuals who are not capable of coping with everyday challenges and society in general. They need help in finding that safe place,” she stresses.
Having raised five children, Russell adds she now focuses on her show and writing the news, especially assisting various local groups with their charity work and raising funds for the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer, a cause dear to her heart.
“I lost my youngest, John, nearly two years ago now, he was only 20, to an undiagnosed brain condition. Losing a child has been one of life’s hardest tribulations for me, but he has his wings and if I am able to help another family out there, by raising funds and advocating for support for this wonderful organization, I believe he would be very proud of me.”
Russell says it is also an opportunity to share her stories and experiences of living and working in the LaCloche area, Rainbow Country for decades.
“I am proud to represent our area at this national event and extol all the virtues of our piece of heaven. I have worked in media for over 40 years and love sharing stories like using a typewriter, the rotary phone with no call messaging, how we put the paper to bed in the good old days, celebrity meet and greets, and so much more.
“This competition is unique in being the only one to focus on older, successful women and their careers. I am glad to be considered a worthy candidate in representing LaCloche Foothills.” The three-day event will include photo sessions, interviews, varied workshops, talent, a fashion segment and be capped off with a public gala set for Saturday, April 27th at the Trisac Concert Hall at College Boreal in Sudbury at 7 pm,. Tickets are $20 at the door, doors open at 6:30 pm.
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