On February 3, 2015 OCUFA announced the winners of the 2014 Status of Women Award of Distinction and the Lorimer Award.

Among the five winners is DRPI Co-Director Marcia Rioux, Distinguished Research Professor, School of Health Policy and Management, York University, for her foundational and globally recognized work on advancing the rights of women in health-related policy and legislation.  Dr. Rioux’s work has also been recognized through her appointment as a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her scholarship in the field of social justice and for her advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities.  In 2014 she was also awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Ontario communities.

The OCUFA Status of Women Awards of Distinction was handed out in a special ceremony in Toronto on February 7, 2015.

The Status of Women Award of Distinction recognizes women who have improved the lives and working conditions of academic women and, by extension, their students, colleagues, families, and friends. In addition to Dr. Rioux, four other women were awarded the honour:

• Sandra Acker, Professor Emerita of Social Justice Education, OISE, University of Toronto, for her research on women academics and mentorship of graduate students;
• Melanie Campbell, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, for her work to improve the position of academic women through organizational, policy, and educational leadership;
• Kathryn Church, Director, School of Disability Studies, Ryerson University, for her scholarship and advocacy on behalf of academic women with disabilities;
• Haideh Moghissi, Professor of Equity Studies, York University, for her pioneering scholarship on women and Islam, and her commitment to humans rights and social justice for all; and

“OCUFA is committed to advancing and protecting the personal, professional and academic interests of women in the academy,” said Kate Lawson, President of OCUFA. “That is why we are so proud to bestow this honor upon such an exceptional group of advocates for academic women.”