Every week, the Timmins Kinette Club is celebrating women in the community with its Modern-Day Rosie initiative. The campaign honours women who are innovators, volunteers, entrepreneurs and visionaries empowering other women. TimminsToday has partnered with the club to introduce our readers to inspiring local leaders. To submit a nomination, email [email protected].
Tracy Koskamp-Bergeron is determined!
Our newest Modern-Day Rosie is the executive director of Alzheimer Society Timmins-Porcupine (ASTP) and Thunder Bay; she is determined to achieve its mission to “alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and to promote research”.
She and her team found creative, thoughtful, and client-centred ways to reach out to caregivers and those living with dementia during COVID-19. Specifically, they found the resources to create meaningful activity kits during lockdown, and beyond! Hundreds of the kits have been delivered to families in Timmins and all areas as far north as Hearst! ASTP relies heavily on community fundraising events to keep the Society running. In May, she is challenging our community to each raise $2100 - $1 for every person living with dementia in our Northern community.
Tracy has been described as “an inspiration to many because she embodies resilience and that is what our community, her team, and her clients need right now! Someone who is optimistic, positive, and moving forward despite the challenges.”
Tracy has a passion for teaching, mentoring, and coaching others and watching others achieve more than they think they can. “Watching someone build confidence and grow is so rewarding for me. I believe everyone needs someone to believe in them; it only takes one person to change someone's life.”
This Modern-Day Rosie uses her position to build new leaders. She encourages her team to find solutions rather than barriers and supports them hands on. During the recent lockdowns, she hosted a Wellness Day for her team by surprising them with an inspirational talk, meditation, and then some time to themselves to reflect and rejuvenate.
Tracy shares: “I have had a few really amazing women mentor me in my work, and I borrowed the things I found most valuable to me and recreated a mindset of support, encouragement and mentoring for how I lead others. One very special woman…taught me compassion and to value humanity; a lesson I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
“Female leadership is strength; often misunderstood. Women have an inner strength that if shared we can be mighty as we work together; never think you are too small to make change. A small ripple can create a wave as it gathers strength.”
We thank you for your strength in leadership and determination to foster a culture of learning, shared responsibility, and partnerships with people with dementia and the community we share.
