Anntoinette "Toni" Thorstad, a volunteer and community leader was named the 2009 Port Cities Woman of the Year today at the 61st Port Cities Luncheon in Duluth.
Thorstad was nominated by Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc. Thorstad, who moved to Duluth in 1970 as a single mother of two, has volunteered for such causes as helping women and children in poverty, homeless people, senior citizen shut-ins, teenage mothers and victims of family violence, according to a board news release.
Thorstad, who has a master's degree in social work, organized a support group for women in public housing, where she also lived, when first arriving in Duluth. She helped all of the women move off public assistance, according to the release.
"Her personal story is a testimony to what can be accomplished through persistence and a commitment to pursuing one's dreams and values," Gail Schoenfelder, a member of the League of Women Voters of Duluth, said in a release. "Toni has been an example to many people in our community, inspiring hope and encouragement to meet life's challenges."
Thorstad currently holds positions on the board of directors for CHUM, Patch and the St. Mary's Hospital Clinical Pastoral Education Program Advisory Board. She volunteers for Meals on Wheels and the Tri-Tower Senior Center lunch program.
