'Person of the Year' Award launched by UU直播
Senator Sheila Finestone is the first recipient
The UU直播 Centre for Research and Teaching on Women (MCRTW) will honour Senator Sheila Finestone with a newly created Person of the Year Award at a gala soiree on March 7, 2001. Proceeds from the evening will be used to create a special prize for a graduating student who has excelled in the Women聮s Studies program. Dr Shree Mulay, director of the Centre, explains that the new Person of the Year Award is intended to honour an innovative and creative leader (male or female) who has acted as a catalyst for change and shown a sustained and significant commitment to women. "Sheila Finestone聮s career is a vivid example of the leadership we wanted to recognize," says Dr Mulay.
Sheila Finestone聮s involvement with community development, ranging from cultural and multicultural issues to those dealing with protection of human rights and the promotion of equality for women and minorities, is well known. A UU直播 graduate and one of three women Senators who studied at the University, Mrs Finestone was Liberal MP for Mount Royal from 1984 to 1997. Among her many responsibilities, she served as Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women, led the Canadian delegation to the Beijing World Conference on Women and participated in policy making affecting official languages, foreign affairs, international trade, justice and human rights, national finance and transportation and communications, among other issues. Active on the international scene as President of the International Parliamentary Union, elected to the world 12-member executive committee as well as the steering committee of the Western like-minded nations (WEOG), Senator Finestone also holds the title of Special Adviser on Landmines to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In addition, she is the recipient of the Jackie Robinson, Samuel Bronfman and Sophie Bennett ORT awards for community leadership.
The March 7 Person of the Year gala -- to include a reception and dinner at the University Club -- will also underline the importance of Women聮s Studies. "UU直播聮s interdisciplinary Women聮s Studies program encourages students to become agents of change in the community, in order to overcome systemic inequalities among men and women. The UU直播 program has been revamped this year, adding new courses and developing an Honours track," explains Dr Mulay. "To strengthen its relevance, we聮re experimenting with an introductory course, complemented by an internship, to train our students in gender-based analysis and to give them direct and immediate experience in developing policies supported by gender analysis."
The Sheila Finestone Prize will be awarded to a deserving student every year. Anyone wishing to attend the gala should contact the MCRTW as soon as possible, at 514-398-3911.
