The LOCAL Making A Difference Award is presented to an individual who has displayed outstanding dedication or has been responsible for outstanding accomplishments of local significance in multiple births issues within Canada.

The winner of the 2021 Local MADA is Shelli Dowdall-Scott

This winner has been involved in her chapter since 2008 and on the executive for many of those years. The list of roles and jobs she has done is endless. She is warm, friendly, accommodating, and has amazing problem-solving skills. She steps into leadership with great ideas and is always ready to do the work. Her nominator says She genuinely cares about supporting multiple birth families in her community and the strengths she brings to the table reflect her caring.

​Shelli has quietly and competently held several important positions within MBFA: Membership Director, Volunteer Director, Vice-President and is currently Acting President.

In addition, Shelli is leading a handful of committed volunteers in putting together MBC’s Annual Conference for the Fall of 2021. Co-incidentally, MBFA simultaneously celebrated its 60th Anniversary of supporting multiple-birth families in the Ottawa-Gatineau regions.

When asked why she has stayed so long as a member of MBFA, Shelli’s answer was telling: “I like to help people. I think we need the world to see that multiples are different [from having singletons], that they are individuals [within the group] and that they need to be seen that way. I found a group of people that just “get it” and 110% understand the ups and downs of having multiples.” Thank you and Congratulations Shelli.