VICTORIA NEWS • OAK BAY NEWS • SAANICH NEWS • GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE - Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Local women making a difference
above and beyond:
Jacqueline Horton, Lawyer, Genesis Law Group
WOMEN IN BUSINESS • 7
Congratulations to Victoria’s Women in Business! Reward yourself...
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We celebrate Victoria’s many talented and driven Women in Business for their outstanding contributions to our community. It takes hard work, determination, and tireless passion and effort to do what you do. But don’t forget to take time to reward yourself! A relaxing soak in our hot mineral pools overlooking spectacular ocean and mountain views or a soothing massage in our seaside spa will help you stay balanced and energized. We look forward to welcoming you in Spring 2012!
250.598.4556
Above and Beyond Award sponsored by:
Tracy Merkley With a focus on smiles, Tracy builds her reputation smile by smile! She brings more than two decades of experience to the business she has owned for six years. Continual education and training ensure her skills and knowledge are always at the forefront, while her friendly approach allows her patients to feel comfortable and fully involved in the process of designing their new smile. Tracy is dedicated to making a difference in their patients’ denture-wearing experience. When not at the helm of Central Park Denture and Implant Centre, Tracy may be found dragon boating, kayaking, cycling or running, or volunteering with
Central Park Denture and Implant Centre Ltd.
the St. Andrew soup kitchen. In addition, Tracy sits on the College of Denturists of BC board and works at creating more public awareness and education for the Denturist profession. Grateful for all the loyal clients she’s had the pleasure to work with, “it’s a special thing when you get to do what you love for a living, and create a product that people are happy with.”
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Every now and then we are blessed by one special person who would never think that what she does is anything other than ‘doing the right thing for the person who can’t do it on their own.’ This very special person is Jacqueline Horton.” So begins Kerry James’ nomination of Jacqueline Horton, a lawyer with Genesis Law Group and the winner of this year’s Black Press Women in Business Above and Beyond Award. “I feel quite humbled by it and quite moved. For me, the work that I do is just part of who I am,” says Horton, a Cadboro Bay resident, animal and book lover, wife and mom to a 21-year-old daughter at the University of Victoria. Before opening her law firm in 2004, Horton was a midwife and nurse for about 15 years, and the compassion characteristic of these careers is evident in her approach to the law. When one elderly client whose family lived out of town needed assistance, Horton soon adopted a weekly routine Black Press Group Publisher Penny Sakamoto, to check in on her, often stopping to pick left, on behalf of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s up a few groceries. “More and more often, Shawna Walker, with Jacqueline Horton. when she knew she was lonely, she would stay and have dinner with her or take her “Dealing with the elderly, especially the frail, out.” it really needs a different skill set,” she reflects. Through that relationship, she learned the Met with patience, a listening ear and gentlewoman was suffering ness, people will share from elder abuse, and their stories – and often having her medical needs Essentials their life stories. “It’s reneglected. “Through due markable what they have Jacqueline Horton, process, she went to the been through. They have lawyer, Genesis Law Group courts and was able to such amazing stories, but Award: Above & Beyond gain guardianship of this they are really vulnerable. Nominated by: Kerry James, KJ Way Consulting woman so she could be “It’s not trendy to take properly cared for...The an interest in the elderly Award Sponsor: Oak Bay Beach Hotel and judge said Jacquie may (and) they get forgotten,” Outsite Indesign very well have saved this Horton says. “It’s amazQuote: “It’s amazing what small things you can ing what small things you woman’s life,” James redo that make such a big deal for people. For me, can do that make such a lates. Another time, when an it’s just a way of giving back and it’s rewarding big deal for people. For elderly man died and his me, it’s just a way of givto make a difference in people’s lives.” family wanted his ashes ing back and it’s rewardspread near his birthplace ing to make a difference in in England’s Lake District, people’s lives.” Horton made this part of her family trip home, Also a long-time member of the Cadboro taking pictures and bringing them back to the Bay Residents Association – including 10 years family. “How many of us could or would go to on its Board of Directors – “Jacquie is an inspithis length for our clients?” James asks. ration and a great role model for our commuManaging a broad legal practice for about 12 nity,” James notes in concluding her nominayears now, over time Horton has developed a tion. “She’s a hero to many...I’m just acting as keen interest in the emerging area of elder law. their voice.” _
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