Marianne Curtis

With a pen in her hand and a camera hanging around her neck, Marianne Curtis has written several thousand freelance articles for the Dawson Trail Dispatch since 1997. But it’s not only the quantity that counts, it’s the quality of Marianne’s freelance work that stands out.

Whether covering politics, community events or sports for the free, monthly newspaper distributed to 50 southeastern Manitoba communities, Marianne has built a reputation for accuracy and shown a passion for making a difference in people’s lives.

Her recently published memoir, Finding Gloria, is a source of hope and inspiration for others as Marianne reveals raw, honest details about the mental and physical abuse she suffered as a child and teenager and how she found love, healing and peace.

The former ambulance attendant and health-care aide also volunteers countless hours mentoring new writers, being a reading tutor for elementary school students and speaking to foster parents, students and teachers about bullying, mental-health issues, social injustice and child abuse. She was nominated as a YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2013 for her work.