Media

OTTAWA, November 10, 2011  —  A ceremony marking Remembrance Day took place on November 11 at the University of Ottawa to honour the memory of the men and women who fought and served during world conflicts.

Alumni Josée Kurtz, commander of the destroyer HMCS Halifax from 2007 to 2011—the first woman to command a major Canadian warship, delivered an inspiring speech during the ceremony.

Josée Kurtz joined the Canadian Forces in 1988. She served aboard the vessels Nipigon, Ville de Québec and Protecteur and as weapons officer and combat officer aboard Halifax's sistership, HMCS Vancouver.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Ottawa and a master’s in defence studies from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston. She is also a graduate of the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. Kurtz lives in Halifax with her husband and daughter.

The University of Ottawa Archives presented artifacts, photos and testimonials commemorating the University community’s involvement in world conflicts.