Valerie Smallman 2006 My name is Valerie Smallman, born 1951 in Alberton, Prince Edward Island. My mother was Martha (Wells) Smallman and my father was Elwood Smallman. I am the secondoldest of five

siblings. Although I was born on Prince Edward

_ Island, the early years of my childhood were spent ~ in Quebec and Petawawa, Ontario, as my father served in the Armed Forces. At the age of 10, our family moved back to the Island to take up residence on the Locke Road, back to the farm where my father grew up. I loved farm life and all the work involved. We knew everyone in our community and helped each other out during the hard times. This made for a wonderful place to grow up in. One of my greatest growing up memories was when my mother hosted the Women’s Institute at our house. I was always able to stay up and sit in on meetings. What a wonderful evening full of women’s voices in laughter. Then the delicious lunch that followed. Best cooks around. As an adult, I had the chance to join the Knutsford Women’s Institute. I am an active member of the O’Leary United Church and serve on many committees and boards. I married my husband, Clyde Penny, on June 18, 1994. I have two wonderful sons, four precious grandchildren and two beautiful great grandchildren. My achievements in education, work-related positions and volunteering over the years are too many to list. I retired in 2016 after 26 years as P.E.I. Family Violence Prevention Coordinator. My role in this position was women and children who were affected by abuse. I still work part-time, grading potatoes, at Triple S Farms. My value of hard work that was grounded in my early farm years has been the driving force

throughout my life.

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