Ruth Hoyte’s eyes danced with joy as she was named Vernon Women in Business Woman of the Year 2013 at a gala celebration at the Prestige Inn Thursday evening.
“I really feel I share this award with all of you,” she told the other 10 nominees.
“All of these women rock. A big thank you to them for all their contributions. We’re really blessed to have so many fabulous women in our community. It’s an honour to receive this award.”
Hoyte was recognized for her enthusiastic support of her family business and other local businesses, the community, her art and her family.
“Ruth is a wonder woman, a bigger-than-life matriarch, business colleague, community advocate and patron of the arts. Her smile lights up a room, her passion swirls around us like one of her colourful belly dancing scarves,” said her nominator, Lorna Robb.
“She faces adversity and criticism with spirited conviction, flair and professionalism. With a click of her high heels and the gaze of those brown eyes, you can’t help but give her your attention.”
Hoyte works in the family business A.E. Berry Insurance Brokerage and has volunteered her leadership skills in Vernon Women in Business, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Vernon Association, and the North Okanagan Employment Enhancement Society. She has served as a director of the Centreville Neighbourhood Committee for Gateway Shelter, Queen Silver Star Excellence Program, Vernon Winter Carnival Society and the Vernon Art Gallery Board. She is a strong advocate for economic development in the Vernon city core, serving on many municipal committees.
She is the founder of the Desert Moon Dancers where she performs and teaches oriental dance. She was recognized in 2013 by the Okanagan Arts Council.
“Ruth truly believes in the fact that random acts of kindness have the power to make a positive influence in a life. In her dancing, she has inspired other women to be themselves and not to be afraid of who they are,” said her husband, Dave Hoyte. They have three children, Sarah, Robbie and Nicholas, and one grandchild, Weston.
Vernon Women in Business president, Krista Harris, told the 165 people attending the event, “It is a great privilege for Vernon Women in Business to recognize the women who have done so much to make our community special. Thank you to you for telling them that what they do really does matter.”
The nominees were Ann Cotton, Deb Leroux, Trudy McGrath, Melina Moore, Dalvir Nahal, Claire Radford, Ryan Robson, Dawn Roy, Linda Wills and Nancy Wilson.
