Dear Evelyn,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Surrey International Writers' Conference, I am delighted to inform you that you have been awarded the SiWC Griffin Award for 2009.

Named in honour of the Surrey International Writers' Conference founder, Ed Griffin, it was first awarded in 2003.

We are delighted this honour will be included among the well-deserved awards for your focused work on behalf of writers, encouraging the global safety and independence of women travellers, and the ground-breaking website www.journeywoman.com.

With congratulations and very best wishes with your future works,
kcdyer, Conference Coordinator
On behalf of the Surrey International Writers' Conference Board

In 2009, Marilyn Bicher nominated Evelyn Hannon for The 2009 Griffin Award, an award that recognizes contributions to Canadian society through the craft of writing in the category of: writing that furthers the consciousness of women.

In her nomination letter Ms. Bicher wrote: 'I teach sociology and I am a member of the Women's Studies Program at Vanier College in Montreal. I've known Evelyn Hannon since we both attended teacher's college 50 years ago. I've watched her grow from a dependent traditional female to an independent woman of vision mentoring other women through her actions and writing. In March 2007, Evelyn was the keynote speaker for our Annual Vanier College International Women's Day Breakfast. Approximately 100 people -- professors, professionals, staff and students attended the breakfast. On that morning I was present as Evelyn received a standing ovation; clearly the women were inspired by her journey and her vision.'

Why I believe Ms. Hannon should receive this award...

Through her writing, Evelyn Hannon has changed the way women in Canada and around the world travel. In the Eighties, a woman generally went from living in her father's home to living in her husband's home. Similarly, a woman graduated from vacationing with her family to travelling with her new husband. The media at that time mirrored this aspect of our society and all travel writing addressed the complete family unit. Travel advice was never gender specific until Hannon (aka Journeywoman) began in 1994 to look at travel writing from a female's point-of-view.

After divorcing in the Eighties, Evelyn began to travel solo. She learned then that a travelling woman's needs and concerns were very different from a man's. Yet, Hannon could find no travel mentors. There weren't books written on the subject so Evelyn learned the hard way; her knowledge base grew from going and doing.

From 1985-90 Evelyn studied abroad for a part of each year. Then, she won a CIDA grant and spent time in China looking at ways women practiced Traditional Chinese Medicine. As the production coordinator of an NFB documentary Hannon also worked in the Middle East. Later she coordinated the first Canadian Woman's Film Festival in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. Everywhere she went Evelyn learned ways to fight loneliness, to be culturally correct, how to deal with safety issues, which restaurants welcomed single women and how to act and react in the world of business. Local women became her mentors; Hannon continuously made notes about what she was learning and thinking.

In 1994, Evelyn began publishing a 24-page mini magazine designed to inspire other women to travel safely and well and to connect women travellers internationally. In 1997, Journeywoman.com went online. It is now the largest travel resource for women on the internet with over one million visitors annually. Evelyn's monthly Journeywoman newsletter reaches 63,000 female readers in 100 countries. Readers comments can be found here: http://www.journeywoman.com/letterstoed/letter10.htm (present readership 67,600+)

Foreign Affairs Canada chose Evelyn to write their 24-page guide called, 'Her Own Way, A Woman's Guide to Safe and Successful Travel.' This award-winning publication, first of its kind in the consular world is available free to women in passport offices across the country.

In 2000 TIME Magazine named Hannon one of the '100 innovative thinkers of this new century' for the writing she has done on behalf of women and travel.

In 2006 Evelyn Hannon won a position on the Toronto Star Community Editorial Board. Her writing touched both on women's issues and her love of different cultures.

Recently Evelyn circumnavigated the globe with 'Semester at Sea'. On board ship, she taught mini classes on travel journaling and she inspired and mentored female journalism students. Anna Hamilton, a student mentored by Hannon wrote, 'she opened my eyes to the importance of curiosity, courage, compassion, independence, and self respect'.

In September 2008, Evelyn is the cover story for C.A.R.P. Magazine. Journalist Marcia Kaye writes, Hannon has 'helped to revolutionize travel for women around the world ... she's inspired countless women to travel - and helped make it safer, too'.

For samples of Evelyn Hannon's writing, please read the following articles online:

Seven Things A Woman Will Love in Florence

The Girl With The Grandmother's Face (also published in the Toronto Star)

Travel for Two -- The Pregnant Traveller

The Pitfalls of Travelling to Meet Mr. Right

Will My Adopted Granddaughter Remember? (also published in the National Post)

Her Culturally Incorrect Gift Giving

She Cooks Meatballs in Japan