This year, International Woman's Day is celebrated on Tuesday March 8th! District 7070 is hosting its 2nd annual celebration on our Tuesday Talks on March 8, 2022 as we honour 2 women from our District 7070 to come talk about breaking bias. The District 7070 International Women's Day committee welcomes Virginia O'Reilly (our District 7070 Membership Chair, confirmed as District Governor Nominee Designate on Feb 13), and Lynda Ryder (District 7070 Past District Governor and current District 7070 Protection Officer) to the stage to talk about their exciting history and experience with District 7070 along with their insight on how to promote and celebrate women's achievement and take action for equality. Please be sure to join us for an insightful series about these inspiring women in our District!
Bigraphies:
Lynda Ryder:
I joined The Rotary Club of Etobicoke in 1989 and became president of the club in 1991. I served as District Governor in Wilf Wilkinson’s year (2007-2008) as a proud “Green Jacket” (District Governor), and was 7070’s district trainer from 2008 until 2013. I am also a trainer with our Rotary Leadership Institute (Shining Waters Division) and was our district’s representative on Rotary’s Council on Legislation. In 2010, I bravely became our Rotary Coordinator of Zone 24 East. Currently, I am the chair of our District 7070 Rotary Peace Fellowships & our district’s Youth Protection Officer. A very proud Rotarian.
Virginia O'Reilly:
Virginia O’Reilly, Rotary Club of Toronto East, has been selected as the Rotary International District 7070 District Governor for 2024-2025. She hails from Cape Breton Island and in her heart is a Down Easterner, which explains her love for the ocean. Her early exposure to community service came by example of her parents’ involvement with local boards, fundraisers and charitable events.
In 1979, Virginia arrived in Toronto pursuing a career in Consumer Research and Consulting and became a partner at Burak Jacobson Research Partners in 1989. In 1990, Virginia volunteered at Spring Festival, the annual fundraiser for Providence Villa (now Providence Healthcare) and soon after co-chaired the event for several years. It was there that Virginia first learned about Rotary and in particular, the Toronto East Rotary Club and its charter President Bill Phelan. Bill has since left us, but for those who have met him, you know that when he set his mind to something it was almost impossible to change, and he was determined that Virginia would join Rotary. In 1998, Virginia joined the Toronto East Rotary Club (TERC) and it is her Rotary home.
In Rotary, Virginia found the community feeling she grew up with. It is her door to exposure to circumstances in her local community and the global community. Rotary provides her the opportunity to connect with other people who believe that together we can take action to create lasting change in our communities, across the globe and in ourselves.
Virginia was the first female President of TERC in 2001-2002 and was the president again in 2022-2021. In addition to being President, Virginia has served as Club Secretary, Chair of Membership, Chair of Foundation and Chair of Youth during her 20 years with the Club.
Her Rotary District 7070 roles have included the positions of Assistant Governor, Youth Chair, Membership Chair, promoter of Grow Rotary Workshops, membership on the Rotary Foundation Committee and on organizing committees for two District Conferences. She is also working at the Zone level on a Membership Project, no surprise there!
Virginia is a Sustaining Member of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Foundation Benefactor and a member of the Bequest Society. She has given to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) most years since 2003 - it is her charity of choice.
Virginia and her husband Bob (Robert) live in East York with two black Labs and two busy pussycats. She is the proud Aunt G of niece Grace, a Rotaractor at the University of Victoria in B.C.
Virginia retired from Burak Jacobson at the end of 2020, leaving more time for Rotary and hopefully some travelling!!
