Manitou resident Bette Mueller is one of the recipients of the the Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer Awards.

The honour is bestowed by the Nellie McClung Foundation to Manitoba women who have made contributions to social justice, arts, sports, politics, community activities and in promoting democracy in the province.

Mueller has been a strong advocate for the continuation of Nellie McClung's legacy, and has put a lot of her time and efforts into preserving that history, through Nellie's two homes in Manitou.

Mueller was asked for her thoughts on receiving the award.

"It's always interesting to have a list like that ... and begin to look at what women are doing. I think it's always really important to remember the past, and to showcase the people that have really made a difference, because I believe that spurs other people on to do the same kind of thing."

Mueller was part of a group that spearheaded the establishment of a statue of Nellie McClung and the four other feminists of the "Famous Five" who were responsible for making women "persons" under the law.

"Because Nellie was connected to Manitou, I was asked if I would be interested in the project, and I immediately said yes. It was a wonderful experience to showcase Nellie McClung, not just in Manitou, but in the whole province too."

Mueller has been deeply involved in helping to preserve and uncover Nellie McClung's story and her place in Manitoba's history. McClung lived in Manitou for almost 20 years where she married and raised a family with her husband Wes McClung.

Mueller believes society has come a long way since McClung's time when she fought for the right of women to vote and hold office.

"I was thinking about that recently, and was looking at people who are now in various groups in Manitoba who are leaders, and you see the names of women in places where you wouldn't have seen that 20 years ago."