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Aglukark headlines Women Gathering in Oakville by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver 25 | Friday, May 2, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Three-time Juno Award winning, Aboriginal recording artist and motivational speaker Susan Aglukark, who calls Oakville home, will headline the upcoming Women Gathering in Oakville Wednesday, May 7. Aglukark will tell her story in song and spoken word. Former Oakville mayor Ann Mulvale has been studying world religions for decades, but said she still learns something every time she attends Women Gathering -- an annual event to celebrate and connect women of diverse faith traditions. Gathering grew out of friendship The Women Gathering began as an annual retreat for a group of about 10 Christian Oakville women who came together to support a friend through cancer. However, it grew over time and in 2009, the group invited women of many faiths. It has grown every year since. This year's edition of Women Gathering starts at 7 p.m., at Maple Grove United Church, 346 Maple Grove Dr. "I have met incredible women doing this," said Mulvale, who is part of the original group of founders. "This is not just an opportunity for education but also about how we can touch an individual's life and empower someone else. We have chosen to support women in difficult circumstances around the world," Mulvale said. Numerous charities have benefitted Over the years, a portion of registration fees have supported organizations including Literacy Canada, Halton Women's Place, Sisters of the Good Shepherd and the Islamic Society of North America. This year, $5 from each registration will go to Maple Grove United's scholarship fund for an Aboriginal student in post-secondary education. "We have found that the spiritual basis for all of our communities is the Golden Rule -- do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There is a huge commonality," Mulvale said. Women Gathering is produced with the support of Maple Grove United Church and Greening Sacred Spaces. Event registration begins at 6 p.m. The program begins at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. The cost is $10, payable at the door. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register at www.womengathering.ca. Three-time Juno Award-winning recording artist Susan Aglukark of Oakville, will headline the May 7 Women Gathering event in town. | Oakville Beaver file photo "You hear women talking about their beliefs and cultures. You see the light bulbs going off as they listen. It's a real opportunity to learn and connect." The theme of this year's event is healing -- the mind, spirit and Earth. The evening will also focus on the Green Rule -- Do unto the Earth as you would have it do unto you -- and the role of women as nurturers. "We can all use healing. Not just of ourselves and between each other, but with our Earth," Mulvale said. Don't miss this! Arlene Dickinson Breakfast Seminar Series Oakville Beaver C O R P O R AT E S P O N S O R A breakfast meeting with guest speaker: TURTLE JACK'S OAKVILLE MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH Muskoka Getaway! Join us at Turtle Jack's Oakville on Mother's Day weekend (May 10th & 11th) and show your TLC card to enter to WIN. PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MOMS! WIN A... J U N E 2 - 1 3 , 2 0 1 4 Scan to Purchase Tickets Date: June 2nd 2014 - 7:00am - 10:00am Venue: Burlington Convention Centre 1120 Burloak Dr., Burlington Tickets: $90 plus HST Call : 905-632-4444 for more info. 360 Dundas St. E, Unit B12 905-257-0909 TURTLE JACK'S OAKVILLE turtlejacks.com /turtlejacks tu @turtlejacks