Five Nicola Valley women will be celebrated by their peers at the annual International Women’s Day celebration hosted by the Nicola Valley Women in Action.

The soirée is set for 6:30 p.m. on March 8, and it will mark the 15th time that local women have been recognized for their contributions to community, work or family.

As in past years, the honourees come from a diverse background. Each of the nominees will be introduced by a speaker with a personal connection.

Carol Smith returned to school after a number of years to obtain her bachelor’s degree, and is now employed with the Upper Nicola Band as a child and family preservation worker.

Cheryl Gillett has worked at Ska-Lu-La for more than 30 years, and is a positive presence around the workshop, always prepared to go above and beyond for clients.

Local entrepreneur Kerstin Auer will also be recognized, after opening a community business centre earlier this year.

A dedicated volunteer with a number of church activities, Stacy Krajci also finds time to be involved with organizing the Merritt Country Run.

And last but not least, Betty Kennelly is being recognized in part for her dedication to the Ska-Lu-La workshop and the Merritt Centennials Booster Club.

“Lots of times, people are doing lots of hard work in the background and they are doing lots of small things consistently that don’t get recognized,” said Megan Fulcher, a board member with the Nicola Valley Women in Action. “It doesn’t have to be changing the global community, but just changing the local community in the things they do.”

Another local woman, Lisa DeWinter-Garcia will be the guest speaker at this year’s ceremony, added Fulcher.

Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church on March 8.