This Year's Irish Woman
of the Year: Violet Moore
VANCOUVER - The Irish Women's Network held its ninth annual anniversary luncheon at Country Meadows Golf Course in Richmond where the 2007 Irish Woman of the Year was awarded.
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PRESENTING the IWN award to Violet Moore (L-R) Geraldine Megannety, Deirdre O'Ruairc of the Irish Women's Network, and (far right) Catholine Butler of The Celtic Connection.
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This year's recipient, who was nominated by Leslie Wilson of Scoil Rince De Danaan, has given over 50 years of dedicated service to the Irish community and has made a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Vancouver.
Violet Moore of the Moore School of Irish Dance has passed on her great talent and passion for Irish dance to thousands of children and adults over five decades. She has been devoted to mastering her art, helping to build and support the Irish community, passing on the traditions to that community, and brought awareness to the larger multi-cultural community.
Her dedication was recognized earlier this year by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, when she was awarded the Gradam Rince (Award of Distinction) at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
Such was Violet's determination over the years to pass on a love of Irish culture, that despite times of personal hardships raising two young daughters on her own, she didn't turn away potential students for lack of tuition fees.
She even helped facilitate trips to Ireland for her World Championship qualifiers to allow them to experience first-hand the culture in its many forms and bring back their experiences to share with those in Vancouver.
Through Violet's volunteer programs at lower mainland schools and performances at hundreds upon hundreds of community events over decades, people from all backgrounds have learned an appreciation for Ireland's unique dance form.
The Violet Moore School's renowned standard of excellence has helped earn Irish dancing a respected place on the internationally accepted stage of dance forms.
Perhaps the best tribute to the many years of dedication Violet has shown the Irish community in Vancouver, is the fact that so many local Irish dance schools have grown out of the fruits of Violet's intensive labours. As many as 85 percent of Irish dance schools in Western Canada can trace their roots and beginnings to the work of Violet Moore. That is a significant achievement. Congratulations Violet.
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