Another local woman has been nominated for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award. Brenda Lyons is nominated for Wellness, Recreation and Healthy Living. 

"When I had kids," shared Lyons, "I got really involved in making sure that they were well-rounded and I wanted to make sure that there was programming available in Estevan so that kids can have the right programming to meet their special needs."

"A lot of times we focus on physical skills, we don't focus on healthy lifestyles so that was something I wanted to promote when I was working with kids. It's understanding the whole part of being healthy, whether that is sleeping, or eating or having creative thoughts."

"To be nominated in that category was really special to me because that's really where my passion is."

Lyons was nominated by Synchro Saskatchewan. 

"I served on their board for a period of time so they thought it would be nice to recognize my contribution to sport across the province. As well as what I've done in Estevan."

Lyons is the Head Coach for the Estevan Mermaids Synchronized swim club and she also worked tirelessly on the 2016 Sask Summer Games in Estevan. She hopes this nomination and the work she does inspire others.

"I've spent a lot of years working with young women in our community and it's something that I focus on with them is we pick different role models that we want to emulate. I always work on their self-esteem and what they can accomplish by themselves and what they can accomplish as part of a team."

"I talk to them a lot about volunteering and they're well aware that everyone that works with the Estevan Mermaids are volunteers. So they understand that programming can't occur unless people give their time and talents."

"Now I've got my young athletes doing various volunteer work for the club as well as different things in the community."

She added that it is nice to see that volunteers and contributors from the southeast are making such a big impact province-wide.

"There are some other fantastic women from Estevan so I'm really pleased to be part of that grouping. People that I really admire and it was really amazing to hear what various women do to make Saskatchewan a better place to live."

Evanne Wilhelm and Brady Johnson are also nominees for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. The Awards Gala will be held in Regina on April 26th.