Shirley Greenberg has been a trail-blazer in the Canadian women's movement for most of her adult life. She helped found the Ottawa Women's Centre, from which subsequently developed the Rape Crisis Centre, the Women's Career Counselling Centre and Interval House, a refuge for battered women. She entered the University of Ottawa's law school in the 1970s, while still busy raising three children. After obtaining her law degree, Greenberg went on to create the first all-female law practice in Otta...
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The University will also recognize Herb Gray’s exceptional contribution to political life and a career entirely devoted to serving Canada’s population. First elected to Parliament in 1962, he was reelected 12 times in subsequent federal elections, which constitutes a record both in terms of number of victories and length of service: 39 years, six months and 26 days as Liberal MP for Windsor-West. In government, Herb Gray held ten different cabinet portfolios under three prime ministers. Having...
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Mr. Justice Charles Doherty Gonthier is among the most eminent and respected figures in Canadian legal circles. His decisions have reinforced the notions of equity and good faith in law, especially in the area of contracts. A 1951 law graduate from McGill University, Gonthier was admitted to the Quebec bar a year later and practised law with several distinguished Montreal firms, which earned him the designation of Queen's Council in 1971. He became a judge of the Quebec Superior Court in 1974....
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Her outstanding achievements have brought her to Canada’s highest office and upon entering Rideau Hall, Adrienne Clarkson brought with her the values she has always defended. She takes every opportunity to promote the national identity and to foster a greater appreciation of the cultural diversity and richness of Canada. Eager to advance Canada as a “unique project”, she has set forth on a mission to help raise the awareness and appreciation of Canadians for the complex and pacifist nature of t...
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As one of the world's foremost architects, Douglas Cardinal has worked tirelessly at setting the aspirations of human beings above the needs of an impersonal system. The result is immediately evident in the buildings he has designed for the world. The son of a game warden, Cardinal grew up in Alberta with a unique Canadian perspective drawn from his parallel European and native roots. For Cardinal, the creation of any building is an intense spiritual act that demands the best from everyone in...
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Mark Starowicz, historian, journalist, a legendary figure in broadcasting and creator of A People's History, has given Canadians a glimpse of their history as they have never seen it before. Through his vision, viewers of his series - in English or in French - gained a new appreciation for the hardships and accomplishments of the people who built this country. During his days at McGill University, Starowicz was fascinated by the history of Canadians and never lost his thirst for knowledge abou...
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Fatou Sow received her baccalaureate in science and philosophy from the Université de Dakar before leaving for France to complete a doctorate in sociology. This marked the beginning of a brilliant international career, which has taken her to three continents: Africa, Europe and North America. Attached to the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Paris, Sow is among a first generation of researchers from less-developed countries who have given a voice not only to their own nati...
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Guy Saint-Pierre has had four careers.His first was in the military, where he spent 11 years in the armed forces. His first civilian position was as registrar of the Corporation des ingénieurs du Québec. In 1970, he took the plunge into politics by winning a seat in Quebec's National Assembly and being appointed minister of education. A few years later, he became minister of industry and commerce. When he was defeated in 1976, Saint-Pierre launched his career in the business world, which led h...
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Through her songs and stories, Ottawa-born Suzanne Pinel has touched the hearts of thousands of children. After her studies in nursing at the University of Ottawa, Pinel decided early on in her career that her mission would be to help children's development by ensuring their well-being and happiness. From that moment on, she brought a bit of magic into the lives of children with her guitar. To further her work, she took courses in dramatic writing for children, puppetry, and vocal training. Si...
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When she was sworn in as a senator in 1994, Landon Pearson had two goals: to advance children's interests through legislation and to open up the political process so that children could participate in the decisions that affect them. During the eight years Senator Landon Pearson has graced the upper chamber, she has fulfilled these commitments in many ways. In 1996, she was named the minister of foreign affairs' advisor on children's rights. In 1999, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien appointed the s...
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