The Women’s Enterprise Centre has announced a new scholarship
to honour Whistler businesswoman and Pique Newsmagazine founding publisher
Kathy Barnett.
The $2,000 scholarship, announced May 8 at the Women of
Whistler Conference, will be given to a young woman in Grade 11 or 12 who is
either a current participant or a recent graduate of a Junior Achievement
Business Education Program. It will assist a student pursuing business studies
at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution.
Before her death in January while vacationing in New Zealand
Barnett was active in a number of community and business organizations. She was
a founding member and past president of the Community Foundation of Whistler, a
board member of the Women’s Enterprise Centre of B.C., past chair of the
Whistler Chamber of Commerce, and in 2005 she was appointed to the provincial
Ministry of Small Business and Revenue’s roundtable on small business.
Her experience encompassed accounting, finance, businesses
administration, corporate securities, and small business management consulting.
She was also awarded the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person
of the Year award in 2002.
A scholarship of this nature is a perfect fit said husband Bob
Barnett, editor of Pique.
“After her parents died, Kathy put herself through the Commerce
program at UBC while working part time,” he said.
“She recognized the career opportunities that a business degree
can lead to and she knew how much work was involved. Kathy would be proud that
a scholarship in her name will help other women achieve their career goals.”
Kathy was dedicated to helping women achieve success in
business said Catherine Osler, chair of the Women’s Enterprise Centre.
But more than that she said: “Kathy’s good humour, quiet
wisdom, love of life and strong commitment to making a difference was
experienced by all who came into contact with her.”
The scholarship will be administered by Junior Achievement of
B.C.
Said Jan Bell-Irving, president of JABC:
“We believe in the power and potential
of today’s youth. Our programs offer students the opportunity to acquire
valuable business acumen, develop leadership qualities and discover new career
possibilities.
“With these kinds of skills and tools, our youth will be better
prepared to face the challenges ahead with confidence in themselves and in
their abilities.”
Currently no JABC programs are available in Whistler.
The deadline for applications is May 23.
Applications and complete scholarship details are available through Junior Achievement at info@jabc.org or www.womensenterprise.ca/youth