The Junior League of Halifax's Aimee Dawson Wins 2011 Rising Star Award From The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - May 23, 2011) - The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. today announced that the Junior League of Halifax's Aimee Dawson has received a 2011 Rising Star award for her work on women and children's medical issues across Nova Scotia. Leveraging her extensive studies and training in the areas of dentistry and public health, Dr. Dawson is a passionate advocate for new immigrants, providing them with vital dental care and nutritional information through a triage program she runs out of her dentistry practice. She is also deeply involved with a number of local and regional organizations focusing on issues of health and wellness.

"Aimee is an advocate who has put her knowledge and training to work for her community, on a daily basis," said Delly Beekman, AJLI President. "At the same time, her impact is being felt far beyond the Junior League of Halifax. She has been a one-woman advocate on behalf of medical issues that confront women and children all over the province of Nova Scotia. Her quest for knowledge, her willingness to get involved in new and important public health areas and her desire to serve those most in need are truly inspirational. We could not be more pleased to present Aimee with the 2011 Rising Star Award."

The award was made at AJLI's 89^th annual convention in Philadelphia on May 14 as delegates from 292 individual Junior Leagues from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the UK came together to celebrate the organization's diversity, renewal and community impact.

Dr. Dawson already holds a Bachelor's degree in neuroscience and behavior, a Doctor of Dental Medicine, and a Masters in Public Health, and is and on her way to obtaining a second Masters in Gerontology. In addition to serving as the Junior League of Halifax representative on the Nova Scotia Council for the Family and as a member of the Halifax Community Health Board, she advises the local health authority on important health-related policy decisions that affect the 400,000 residents of the province. These include social isolation, health inequalities, and opportunities for physical activity. She also serves on the Population Health Committee.

About The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer, Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, creating demonstrable community impact.

Today, The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) is comprised of more than 155,000 women in 292 Junior Leagues throughout Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. Together, they constitute one of the largest, most effective volunteer organizations in the world.