Coinciding with its 42nd anniversary, Prince George Toastmasters (PGTM) is celebrating a special designation for one of its members.
Penny Soderena-Sutton has completed her Distinguished Toastmaster designation, which is an exceedingly rare achievement, according to the club.
There were only 3,022 Distinguished Toastmaster designations awarded worldwide last year and less than one per cent of Toastmasters members achieve the feat.
Soderena-Sutton has been working towards this honour for almost 25 years.
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs.
PGTM is the second oldest club in the city.
B.C.’s northern capital is currently home to six clubs which meet at a variety of different locations throughout the city and different times throughout the week - with morning, noon and evening clubs.
PGTM was founded in August 1977 on a principle of equality and inclusiveness and it was the first club in Prince George to accept women as members.
It’s currently located at AiMHi, which is a community organization that advocates for people with special needs.
Soderena-Sutton is also employed at AiMHi as a self-advocate peer advisor.
As a person with disabilities herself, Soderena-Sutton helps to support her peers to achieve a good life at work, at home and in the community.
To commemorate the Soderena-Sutton’s achievement and the organization’s anniversary, the public is invited to join in a celebration at AiMHi (950 Kerry St.) on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 6:45 p.m. until 9 p.m.
