Inspiring Island Women

CHEK News at 5 anchor Stacy Ross features stories of amazing Vancouver Island women from both past and present in the new weekly series “Inspiring Island Women.”

Watch the segment live Thursdays on CHEK News at 5, or find it below after it’s aired.

If you’d like to nominate someone to be featured in the series, email [email protected].

5 days 'Their lives aren't disposable': Duncan woman committed to saving unwanted horses from slaughter Rebecca Sanesh and the non-profit, Humanity for Horses, have saved nearly 650 animals so far.

2 weeks A beautiful partnership spells success for two local businesswomen The co-owners of Russell Nursery in North Saanich say work is their 'happy place'. Turns out their customers and staff feel the same way.

2 weeks A Collection of Stories about Inspiring Island Women In honour of International Women's week, Stacy Ross shares the stories of extraordinary women right here on Vancouver Island. Watch for more inspiring Island women features weekly on CHEK 5, 6 and 10.

3 weeks Dealing with grief, poet and musician Tara Williamson's latest project is garnering worldwide attention When she's not doing research or writing at UVic's Faculty of law, you'll find her making music and poetry. It's her poetry in a newly released animated film called "Heart like a Pow Wow", that's getting generating a lot of interest.

4 weeks Hope remains as search continues for dog missing in Englishman River Falls Park Anne Gallup wants to find her family dog to take back to her two young children aged two and six.

4 weeks A retired teacher, author, and life-long volunteer continues to help those who need it most With her soft voice and huge heart, Nanaimo's Virginia Brucker has helped thousands of people in her lifetime, now she's found another way to support those who need it, and you can help.

1 month A retired social worker doesn't let blindness stop her from providing food for children in Africa Sabine Laubental founded and continues to run a non-profit that helps feed some of the world's most impoverished children.

1 month Founder of Esquimalt Farmer’s Market finds more ways to support local artisans Katrina Dwulit says she brings the chaos on herself and loves it. Find out how she manages motherhood and her business.

2 months Leanne Savage finds her happy place on Elk Lake A mother of five, forced to step back from her dream career to care for her terminally ill husband, finds joy in coaching a pair of rowers with paralympic aspirations.

2 months Beloved artist and teacher Marilyn Hilsden sees the best in everything, though she can't really see anything Part II: Marilyn's zest and love for life is an outlook that allows the Campbell River senior, in spite of significant challenges, to embrace it to the fullest.

2 months 89-year-old retired art teacher still brings colour and beauty to those around her Campbell River's Marilyn Hilsden continues her legacy of optimism and creativity even in the darkest of times.

2 months In it to win it! a 16-year-old Colwood girl has set her sights on national roller derby glory Scream Soda, aka Naomi Morrell earns a spot on Canada's national junior Roller Derby team but what happens in a race is just a small part of why she loves the sport so much.