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News Releases
October 10, 2002
WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO LEADERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING RECOGNIZED:
SIX WOMEN TO RECEIVE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARDS
OTTAWA -- The Honourable Jean Augustine, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) is pleased to announce the names of the six women to be honoured this year with the presentation of the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. The award acknowledges the contributions to equality for women, which have resulted in positive change.
"Women have always been significant contributors to our history. The Famous Five and the Persons Case is just one example of women in a leadership role gaining recognition for their determination," Ms. Augustine said today. "It is in the spirit of those women that women today take on leadership roles in the academic, political, social and economic arenas to improve the quality of women's lives and advanced equality for women and men."
This year's recipients are: Margaret-Ann Armour of Edmonton, Alberta, the Assistant-Chair of the department of chemistry at the University of Alberta, mentor and leader in encouraging young women to pursue education and careers in engineering and science; Françoise David of Montreal, Quebec, former president of the Fédération des femmes du Québec and key organizer for the 1995 Women's World March against Poverty and the 2000 Women's World March against Poverty and Violence; Elisapie Ootova of Pond Inlet, Nunavut, a life-long educator, advocate for preserving Inuit traditional knowledge and language and role-model to Inuit women; Michele Landsberg of Toronto, Ontario, columnist for the Toronto Star, advocate and voice for women in Canada and across the world; Nancy Riche of St. John's, Newfoundland who has been an activist, trade unionist and feminist within the labour movement for over 30 years.
This year's youth medal recipient will be Megan Reid of Leamington, Ontario. Ms. Reid is entering her first year of university. Throughout her high school career she has raised awareness of the difference between positive and negative body images for young women and men and has volunteered her time and organized many events to raise money for breast cancer research and the Canadian Cancer Society.
The Government of Canada established the Governor General's Awards in 1979 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Persons Case decision, and to salute the contributions of contemporary women to the advancement of women's equality. The Awards will be presented at Rideau Hall on Friday October 18, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.
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