Value: $10,000 – $25,000 (Renewable)

(Now known as CFUW Indigenous Women’s Award)

In March 2015, the Education Council-Wolfville transferred the proceeds of their education fund to the CFUW Charitable Trust to establish a new award, the CFUW Aboriginal Women’s Award (AWA). This award was designed to honour Dr. Marion Elder Grant’s life-long commitment to education of women. Dr. Grant has an outstanding record of leadership as the 11th CFUW President (1949-52), CFUW Wolfville President, and Dean of Women and Professor of Psychology, Acadia University.
An applicant for the CFUW AWA will be considered eligible on the basis of the following criteria:
• Canadian Aboriginal woman;
• Study in Canada;
• Holds or will hold an undergraduate university degree or equivalent before the CFUW AWA for which she applied is granted; and
• Must have applied to be a full-time student in any year of an eligible program at a recognized or accredited Canadian post-secondary degree-granting institution.
Eligible programs: are the academic programs for which a CFUW AWA Applicant (or Renewal Applicant) may be studying. They include:
1. Programs leading to a first degree in law – Bachelor of Laws (LLB); Juris Doctor (JD).
2. Programs leading to the following first degrees in medicine – Medical Doctor (MD); Doctor of Optometry (OD).
3. Programs leading to qualifying for a licence to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in the province or territory of the graduate’s choice.
4. Programs leading to a Master’s degree in fields dealing with important Canadian aboriginal issues at the time the AWA is given as defined by the most recent Canadian report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

2022-2023 Winner: ARIELLE BIENIEK

B.Sc. Biomedical Biology, 2015, Laurentian University
B.A. Psychology, 2017, Laurentian University
M.Sc. Biology/Cellular Biology, 2019, Laurentian University
B.Sc. Medicine (Research), 2020-2024, B University of Manitoba
M.D., 2020-2024, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba

Arielle’s research project focusses on improving the standard of care for birthing parents who are at risk of delivering pre-term by identifying optimal timing for antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) administration. ACS are used to develop premature babies’ lungs and improve their survival outcome. She intends to inform new guidelines that evaluate what symptoms and measurements are most important and influential at predicting if birthing parents will deliver preterm and require ACS to improve ACS stewardship and health outcomes across Canada.

Value: $8,000

Honours those for whom the CFUW Charitable Trust receives memorial donations. At the time of application, the candidate must be enrolled in masters studies in science, mathematics or engineering. This fellowship is tenable in Canada or abroad.

2022-2023 Winner: MEGAN BUERS

B.Sc. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Hons), 2018, University of British Columbia
M.Sc. Biology, 2022-2024, University of British Columbia

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and increasing in severity and there is a growing concern for how these events will impact wildlife. Megan’s research aims to understand how fluctuations in temperature can affect animal behaviour and ecology by monitoring the threatened Western Screech-Owls in south central British Columbia. She aims to determine what habitat features protect the owls from extreme heat and whether there are ways we can better manage our forest ecosystems.

Value: $11,000

This fellowship, established in 1952, honours Margaret McWilliams, first CFUW President (1919-1923), who dedicated her life to furthering the status of women through improved access to higher education and the active involvement of women in public life. It is awarded to a woman who has completed at least one calendar year in a full-time doctoral program and is enrolled in full-time studies in Canada or abroad at the time of application.

2022-2023 Winner: TASHA JAWA

B.Sc. Neuroscience & Psychology, 2012, University of Toronto
M.Sc. Quality Improvement & Patient Safety, 2020, University of Toronto
M.D./Ph.D. Neuroscience, 2020-2027, Queen’s University

Although the initiation of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) may be a lifesaving intervention for individuals with kidney failure, KRT is associated with poor neurocognitive outcomes, and reduced quality of life. Adults on dialysis in the ICU may be particularly at risk, as survivors of critical illness are already predisposed to developing cerebrovascular disease and long-term cognitive dysfunction. Tasha’s research aims to understand the immediate, short-, and long-term neurological consequences of KRT in the ICU.

Value: $5,000

Established in 2006, in memory of Elizabeth Massey, a young lawyer and member of CFUW whose life was greatly enriched by her love of the creative arts. For post-graduate studies in the visual arts/fine arts, such as painting or sculpture; or in music. The award is tenable in Canada or abroad.

2022-2023 Winner: ÈVE L’HEUREUX

B.Multidisciplinary: Ancient Studies, Art History, Visual Art, 2014, Université Laval Museum Studies Postgraduate Diploma, 2017, Université Laval Master’s in Art Conservation, Painting Stream, 2017-2023, Queen’s University
Ève’s research concentrates on the restoration of paintings mounted on rigid material, particularly the aging of various traditional and modern adhesives. This research would enable not only documenting the deterioration of these glues and the damage they do to painted works, but also potentially developing a stable, effective and reversible adhesive to meet the needs of restorers when treating mounted paintings.

Value: $6,000

The fellowship is open to candidates enrolled in studies in Human Ecology including Family and Consumer Sciences, at the masters or doctoral level. The applicant must be accepted or enrolled in a post-graduate program in Canada at the time of application.

The evolving studies in Human Ecology include: human nutrition, food science, housing/shelter and aesthetics, architecture, financial resource management, clothing and textiles, family relations, human sexuality, and human development.

2022-2023 Winner: JULIA MOREAU

B.Sc. Psychology and Health Studies, 2016, Queen’s University
M.Sc. Clinical Psychology, 2022, Queen’s University
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, 2022-2026, Queen’s University

Julia is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and looks forward to continuing her studies at the doctoral level researching and working with young Indigenous peoples. Julia’s doctoral research will be in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for improvement of post-secondary education outcomes and amendment of gaps in access to psychological wellness services among Indigenous peoples. Her results will inform development of culturally appropriate and safe campus service provision for Indigenous post-secondary students.

Total Value: $19,000

One award for masters study: $5,000
Two awards for doctoral studies: $7,000 each

Commemorates the fourteen women students murdered at the École Polytechnique in Montreal. For graduate studies in any field. The applicant must justify the relevance of her work to women.

2022-2023 Winners:

KIERA LIBLIK
CHRISTINA CANTIN
CASEY OLIVER

KIERA LIBLIK

B.Sc. Life Sciences (Hons), 2018, Queen’s University
M.Sc. Translational Medicine and M.D. 2019-2024, Queen’s University

Kiera is predominantly interested in the way that women’s health and cardiology intersect, acknowledging the historical gender disparity in cardiovascular research. Notably, several studies have identified that women are at higher risk of adverse mental health outcomes following acute cardiac events. Kiera is intrigued by the complex cardiovascular risk factors and social determinants of health that may contribute to this higher risk, especially given the well-established impact that mental health has on long-term cardiovascular health.

CHRISTINA CANTIN

B.Sc.N. (Hons), 2000, St. Francis Xavier University 
M.Sc.N., 2013, University of Ottawa 
Ph.D. Nursing, 2020-2024, Queen’s University 

Christina has contributed to the promotion of evidence-informed perinatal care in her 20+ year nursing career. Christina’s research is focused on developing knowledge regarding optimal care of newborns experiencing withdrawal signs following in-utero antidepressant medication exposure. Timely feedback of study results will enable health care providers to support shared decision making with pregnant and parenting women; this is especially important as the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health concerns of childbearing women.

CASEY OLIVER

Total Value: $20,000

Two awards at the masters level and two for doctoral level study. The value of each award is $5,000.

Dr. Alice E. Wilson, CFUW member, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the first woman to hold a professional position at the Geological Survey of Canada won the 1926 CFUW Travelling Fellowship. Awarded to mature students returning to graduate studies in any field after at least three years.

2022-2023 Winners:

RAAFIA SHAHID

B.A. International Relations (Hons), 2019, University of Toronto
M.P.P., 2022-2024, University of Toronto

Racialized immigrant women experience multiple discriminations due to their intersectional identities, including higher unemployment rates, health inequity and economic insecurity. As Canada works to accept 451,000 new immigrants per year by 2024, there is an imperative to ensure that all new members of our society are given the tools they need to succeed. Raafia’s research will explore the patterns of civic engagement among racialized immigrant women, with the hypothesis that civic engagement promotes political efficacy, contributing to the eradication of systemic barriers experienced by this group.

MICHELLE TILFORD-SHAW

B.Sc. Engineering, 2006, University of Saskatchewan
Master of Environment and Sustainability, 2021-2023, University of Saskatchewan

Mining of Alberta’s oil sands consists of water-intensive processes that result in large quantities of contaminated oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) stored in tailings ponds. Michelle’s research will identify and explore the perspectives of affected parties on OSPW remediation and release and constructed wetland treatment systems using genomics. Michelle aims to encourage the weaving together of community-based and professional expertise, contributing to evidence and recommendations for OSPW remediation and release regulations.

CAROLYN BONTA

B.Sc. Biology and Psychology (Hons), 1998, Carleton University
M.Sc. Zoology, 2001, University of Western Ontario (now Western University)
Ph.D. Geography, 2018-2023, Queen’s University

Climate warming is impacting the Arctic beyond its physical and biological features, having repercussions on economic and social factors as well. Carolyn’s research investigates the contribution of erect-growing shrubs to satellite-detected “greening” on the Bathurst caribou range. Her insights into landscape-level change will guide resource management efforts to reverse the precipitous decline of this barren-ground herd, thereby ensuring the long-term health of the tundra ecosystem and the people who rely on caribou.

KATHLEEN MURPHY

B.Sc. Biology, 2012, St. Francis Xavier University
M.P.H., 2017, University of Toronto
Ph.D. Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation, 2021-2025, University of Oxford

Kathleen’s research is focused on understanding the gendered dimensions of parenting practice and the engagement of male caregivers in parenting programs for low-income families; particularly for parents in street situations. Building on work she has engaged in since 2018, she will be undertaking community-based participatory research to optimise an adapted version of the Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) program for families in street situations in Kenya to reduce violence against children and violence against women.

Value: $6,000

Honours a founding member of the Nova Scotia Home Economics Association who dedicated her professional life to home economics education. At the time of application, the applicant must be enrolled in masters studies that focus on one or more aspect(s) of the field of Human Ecology/Home Economics/Family and Consumer Studies. Special consideration will be given to those pursuing a postgraduate degree in education. She may be studying abroad.

The evolving studies in Human Ecology include: human nutrition, food science, housing/shelter and aesthetics, architecture, financial resource management, clothing and textiles, family relations, human sexuality, and human development.

2022-2023 Winner: LAUREN KELLY

B.A. History (Hons), 2022, University of Notre Dame
MPhil in Early Modern History, 2022-2023, University of Cambridge

Lauren will be researching the role of children in sequestered Anglican families during Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate in 17th Century England. She will be studying how the responsibility of preserving the Anglican faith in the wake of Cromwell’s Church Settlement was a burden disproportionately placed on these children; a demographic that has not yet been afforded attention in the historiography of the Interregnum.

Value: $5,000

Georgette LeMoyne was one of the first women to receive a university degree in French Canada. She devoted her life to the promotion of education and employment for women. It is for graduate study in any field at a Canadian university. The candidate must be studying in French and write the Statement of Intent (Section I) of the application in French.

2022-2023 Winner: ÉLISABETH ARSENAULT

B.A. Anthropology and History, 2021, Université Laval
Masters in Anthropology, 2021-2023, Université Laval

Forced migration is constantly increasing in the world. Although in the 20th century refugees were the main victims of this phenomenon, today the majority of exiles are living inside their countries’ borders. Humanitarian aid, developed originally for refugees, must now adapt to this change that raises issues of legal recognition and aid for forced migrants. Cameroon, whose borders are the scene of three crises that give rise to forced transnational and infranational displacements, is interesting terrain to analyze the effects of legal and practical categorization processes of forced migrants according to whether they are refugees or internally displaced persons.

Total Value: $6,000

Inaugurated in 2015, the award is named to honour Linda Souter, the only Canadian member of CFUW that has served both as President of CFUW and Graduate Women International (formerly known as International Federation of University Women, IFUW). Awarded to a masters or doctoral student studying in the area of the Humanities. Generally, study in the Humanities is theoretical and does not involve empirical methodology. The Humanities could include the following: English Language and Literature, History, Languages Study, Classics, Philosophy, Film Studies, Communication Studies, and Culture Studies.

2022-2023 Winner: ALLISON L. BENNETT

B.A. History (Hons), Minor in English, 2013, Memorial University of Newfoundland
M.A. History, 2014, Memorial University of Newfoundland
B.Ed. (Intermediate/Secondary), 2015, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Ph.D. History, 2017-2023, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Allison’s doctoral research examines the nature of British, Australia, and New Zealand servicemen’s sexual encounters with civilian women in First World War Macedonia and the Middle East. These sexual encounters threatened servicemen’s health; their masculine, imperial, and military identity; challenged social mores; and jeopardized the future of empire. This project uses archival records from England, Australia, and New Zealand, and analyses the intersection of gender, sexuality, race and racism, medicine and disease, and empire.