Introducing Lori-Anne Toone
Mrs. North America Globe 2020, WIN Foundation Ambassador
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Lori-Anne grew up on the east coast of Canada in beautiful Newfoundland. Although she misses the ocean everyday, she has called Calgary, Alberta her home for the past 15 years. This is where she met her husband and has been living happily married for 10 years, blessed with two healthy and happy daughters; 6 & 8 years old. With many interests and passions, she makes an effort to find a way to indulge them all, keeping her busy most of the time. With a photography business she loves photographing kids and families. Exercising is also very important to her and is committed to moving her body everyday. Currently, she is training to become a Certified WIN Facilitator; which is a program that helps women heal from narcissistic abuse. And that is not all - she also has a degree in Public Relations and spent nearly a decade as a Communications Instructor at a local college in Calgary. So needless to say, we needed to find out more - so we sat down with her and here is what we chatted about. |
Tell us what you do? and how you came about your side hustle(s)?
I had been looking at different opportunities to volunteer around supporting and empowering women. A friend had told me about the Mrs. Globe pageant she was involved in. I thought, I can’t be in a pageant! I’m 41! Then she explained that it’s a fundraiser for the Win Foundation; which is an organization that help women heal from narcissistic abuse. The pageant portion is the fun event at the end to celebrate fundraising efforts. What a fun Way to raise money for women in need? I started with the Mrs. Globe organization as Mrs. Alberta and recently received the Mrs. North America title; which is the title given to the delegate who raised the most money in their division.
What about your work brings you true joy?
The fact that it helps so many women. Every $10 raised puts a woman through a class offered by the WIN Foundation in their “Reclaiming Me” program. This program is a comprehensive one year abuse recovery program taught in a live Zoom classroom by Certified WIN Facilitators.
What has been your most valuable learnings?
Currently, I’m training to become a facilitator in the Reclaiming Me program. I have been participating in these classes for almost a year, which has given me critical insight on how common narcissism occurs, not only in intimate relationships, but in so many other relationships as well; family, co workers, friends, etc. I feel privileged that I get to see first hand how much the program helps women, myself included.
If you could learn to do anything, what would that be?
That is easy! How to properly fold a fitted sheet LOL kidding (sort of)! I would love to be an excellent cook. I envy people who can throw a meal Together and have it taste gourmet.
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
June Osborne in The Handmaids Tale tv series. She kicked some serious ass and saved women and children from a life of abuse and inequality.
Can you describe an experience/incident that happened that made you a stronger person?
My parents divorcing after 40 years of marriage. I was in my late 30’s, married and had two very young kids of my own at the time. It affected me more deeply than I imagined it ever would. It really put into question my entire family value system and beliefs; BUT it also allowed me to have such gratitude for my husband and kids; gaining confidence and finding my own way as a wife and mother and seeing the importance of creating our own values that work best for our little family versus how i was raised. This made me a stronger partner and parent.
If you could give your past self any advice, what would it be?
You are to be enjoyed!