Mercedes Messinger. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Mercedes Messinger

Red Deer woman recognized with Daughter of the Year Award

Sep 26, 2022 | 3:09 PM

A Red Deer woman was among six from across the province honoured during a special event held in Edmonton over the weekend.

Mercedes Messinger,, 61, was recognized for her achievements during the 11^th annual Daughters Day 2022 event held at Edmonton City Hall on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

The event featured the presentation of the awards and a message from Cheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, which is said to have highlighted the afternoon celebration.

Officials say Daughters of the Year are chosen for their personal achievements and the impact they have had in making Alberta a leader in gender equity. This year, Mercedes Messinger of Red Deer, Chanelle Cluett-Alstad, of Edmonton, Delmy Garcia-Hoyt, of Edmonton, Tonia LaRiviere, of Edmonton, Laura Murphy, of Edmonton, and Jayanti Negi, of Edmonton, were honoured.

Red Deer’s Messinger immigrated to Canada with her husband and three small children from Germany in 2000, at the age of 40.

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They opened Messinger Meats in Mirror in 2004 and she has been generously supporting countless charities ever since.

She was named a Woman of Excellence in 2012 and received the Diversity Award in 2019.

Mercedes created the “Year of Charity” in Red Deer, were an amount of the proceeds raised from the sale of lunches go towards a different charity each month. There are said to be more than 20 Charities that benefit from her ongoing efforts in that respect.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued to support her favorite charities with weekend Charity BBQ’s.

Officials say she shares her love for a diverse environment, is non judgmental, humble and has the best interest for everyone around her and her community at heart.

“Their achievements are diverse, and they have a significant impact, providing leadership and inspiration to others, making Alberta a better place for each of us,” says Daughters Day chair, Dr. Vivian Abboud. “There were many nominations, and the selection of these six, speaks to how blessed Alberta is with talented and dedicated women.”

Officials say Daughters Day is an initiative of Canadians for a Civil Society. The 2022 Daughters of the Year were selected from nominees by a panel of four women– Marian Gayad, Kathy King, Susan McGee, and Deviinder Pannu.

Saturday’s event was preceded by an information fair with 20 community organizations sharing information about their programs and services.

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