Join us Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the RBC Place London (formerly London Convention Centre) for the Fall Banquet & Silent Auction featuring keynote speaker Perdita Felicien.
Purchase your tickets now at mslfallbanquet.eventbrite.ca or by calling Cindy Taylor at 519-433-2807 ext. 2106. Early Bird pricing ends October 14!
Perdita Felicien is a two time Olympian, 10-time National Champion, two time World silver medalist, and the only Canadian woman to win a World Championship gold medal in track and field. During her career as a 100-metre hurdler, she earned numerous honours, including Canada’s Athlete of the Year and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal. In her inspiring talks, Perdita explores what it means to chase a dream and overcome the “hurdles” life can put before you.
In high school, after briefly quitting track altogether, Perdita earned a full scholarship to the University of Illinois, and became a three time NCAA champion and academic standout. Her success continued as a professional when she represented Canada at six World Championship competitions, and at two Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004. A favourite at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Perdita fell at the first barrier in the finals and couldn’t finish the race. She showed grace under fire in that moment, and has used the experience to teach others how to persevere and rise again.
After retiring in 2013, Perdita has worked as a broadcaster, covering numerous international sporting events from the 2015 Pan American Games to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Korea for the CBC.
Perdita credits a women’s shelter in Durham Region with helping her family get on their feet. Her mother, who immigrated from St. Lucia, encountered many barriers, including displacement and poverty, which she overcame. Perdita is hard at work on her first book, titled Gold Mettle, which chronicles the highs and lows of her illustrious career and her rocky childhood as a first generation Canadian. Gold Mettle will be published by Doubleday Canada in 2020. Perdita’s story is incredibly emotional, and is loaded with raw honesty and humour.
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