The title "Woman of the Year of Belarus-2020" was awarded to six representatives of the Vitebsk region

The competition is held annually by the Belarusian Women's Union and is designed to showcase the role of the fair sex in modern society, their contribution to the life and well-being of sovereign Belarus. The event was opened by the Chairperson of the public association "Belarusian Women's Union", First Deputy Minister of Health of Belarus, Elena Bogdan.

– This year, 365 women took part in the “Woman of the Year of Belarus” competition – each of them is a bright and interesting personality, a leader, responsible for herself and her team, demonstrating an active life position and patriotism. As a result of the selection at all stages of the competition, 47 representatives of the fair sex became winners, – noted Elena Leonidovna.

The award for the winner in the nomination "Successful Leader" was presented to Tatiana Melman, Director of the Klyastitskaya Secondary School-Garden named after V.A. Khomchenovsky of the Rossony District, by Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko. Tatiana Viktorovna is a graduate of the Klyastitskaya school, where she has worked for 28 years, 22 of which as a leader. She believes that a director should remain a teacher and, despite being heavily involved in administrative work, does not abandon teaching, teaches Belarusian language and literature, instilling in children a love for their native land. She shows by her example that a person can achieve a lot while remaining true to their small homeland.

– The pride of the Klyastitskaya school is the unique Museum of National Glory, dedicated to the Patriotic War of 1812, which is unique in the CIS space, – said Tatiana Melman. – The Battle of Klyastitsy, when the Russian army stopped the French who were rushing to St. Petersburg, entered the history of military glory. The museum's materials help us in conducting patriotic education of youth.

Igor Petrishenko, congratulating the winners, noted:

– We men are lucky to work and create together with such wonderful women. Difficult trials fall on women's shoulders, but you overcome them with dignity and honor. And most importantly, you set a clear example for the younger generation. Huge words of gratitude for preserving unity in your families and teams. It is thanks to your caring attitude that there will be unity in our country.

The Woman of the Year in the "Active Civic Stance" nomination was Irina Kapshul, a personnel training engineer at UPK PO "Belorusneft" and deputy chairperson of the Vitebsk regional organization of the "Belarusian Women's Union". Last year, Irina Vitalievna, as a mother of three children whom she is raising with dignity, received a medal in memory of the 500th anniversary of the Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Monastery from the Patriarchal Exarchate of All Belarus. Irina Kapshul is actively involved in public activities, civic-patriotic, educational, and ideological work, and participates in dialogue platforms. At this solemn event, the award was presented to Irina Vitalievna by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Andrey Kuntsevich.

– Women have proven themselves to be true patriots, showing an example of sincere love for their native land, – said Andrey Kuntsevich. – The Belarusian Women's Union is among the most authoritative and influential structures due to its active participation in the country's fate. The events of 2020 prompted many, including our wonderful women, to undertake truly important deeds and actions; they proved that pandemics or social upheavals give way to their perseverance and philanthropy, and the deep maternal desire to protect and preserve.

– 2020 was a year of challenges, including for the healthcare system, – noted Elena Bogdan. – Therefore, when we were thinking about our nominations, we came up with one called "I Give My Heart to People," and five out of the seven winners in this category are medical workers. In their faces, we thank all the women in medicine who performed and continue to perform their duty.

The "Woman of the Year of Belarus" in the nomination "I Give My Heart to People" was awarded to Irina Tomashevich, a therapist at the Dubrovno Central Regional Hospital, "Doctor of the Year of the Republic of Belarus-2019", who selflessly treats patients with coronavirus infection. Valentina Ivanovna has been guarding the health of the residents of her hometown of Dubrovno for over 30 years.

– I want to see them healthy. I always do my job conscientiously, because for a doctor, caring for people's health is a huge responsibility, – said Irina Tomashevich.

The award was presented to her by the Minister of Health Dmitry Pinevich. He noted:

– You, women, went to the forefront in the fight against the pandemic. Unfortunately, we haven't seen your beautiful faces behind masks lately, but we can read the kindness that comes from the soul in your eyes.

Minister of Education Igor Karpovich presented awards to the winners of the "Woman of the Year" competition in the "Maternal Glory" nomination, noting that the role and place of women in ensuring childhood in our country are invaluable, and sincere love for children can work real miracles. In this nomination, the "Woman of the Year" became the chief physician of the Vitebsk Regional Specialized Children's Home, Elena Mizerkina, where all conditions for medical and social rehabilitation of children are created. She perfectly fulfills her duties at work. Her fate and life are such that success in work, family, and public life is noticeable and exemplary.

Министр информации Игорь Луцкий поздравил победительниц «Женщины года» в номинации «Духовность и культура», среди них – методист центра традиционной культуры Глубокской центральной клубной системы Наталия Никифорович, которая вносит большой личный вклад в сохранение, развитие и популяризацию народного творчества.

В номинации «Хозяйка села» победительницей стала председатель Опсовского сельского Совета депутатов Браславского района Алла Данилина. Награду ей вручил генеральный директор агрокомбината «Ждановичи» Григорий Чуйко. Это сельсовет не единожды становился победителем в соревновании среди органов местного самоуправления и признавался «Лучшим сельским советом депутатов». Алла Данилина отметила, что отстаивают принципы государственной политики, проявляя свои личные и профессиональные качества, поддерживает традиционные ценности, которые испокон веков главенствовали на белорусской земле – семья, труд, созидание и единство. Совместными усилиями сельсовета, сельхозпредприятий, организаций и населения решать вопросы удается качественно и своевременно, что обеспечивает выполнение основных показателей и определяет лидирующие позиции. Порядок и ухоженность деревень, честные и трудолюбивые люди – так выглядит Опсовская земля.

Grigoriy Chuiko emphasized the importance of the activities of everyone working in the countryside and in the agricultural sector of the economy. He especially thanked the rural women for their hard work.

After the event, the delegation of the Vitebsk region of the Belarusian Women's Union visited the Khatyn memorial complex, laying flowers in memory of the victims of fascism.

"Vitbichi".