Inspiring Women Among Us Awards
IWAU Student Award
Many women face challenges in accessing a university degree—you can probably think of somebody you know. It could be your mother, sister, daughter, niece, aunt, neighbour or friend. Economic and social circumstances can lead to disadvantages and challenges in pursuing post-secondary education.
But just think if a university education became possible! A UNBC degree has the power to change lives through education and experiences that being a student provides. A better job, more self-confidence, financial independence, greater engagement in the community, a positive peer group—all are direct impacts of engaging with professors, students and the opportunities that campus life provides while achieving a UNBC education.
For so many, financial means are the greatest barrier to education. That’s why the Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU) Award has been created as a legacy of the first IWAU event held in November 2015 at UNBC.
The IWAU Award will be given annually to women facing challenges in pursuing a UNBC degree, who can benefit from receiving this support.
Read about one of our recent IWAU Student Award winners, Penína Sara-Lynn Harding
Entering her final year of studies for her undergraduate degree in Public Administration and Community Development, Sara-Lynn Harding was facing a series of challenges and a sudden case of financial hardship. The Inspiring Women Among Us award arrived just in time to help her deal with her financial obligations so she could focus on her studies.
IWAU Community Award
This award is given out yearly to individuals and/or organizations who embody the kind of work that IWAU seeks to support and spotlight.
These are contributors who improve our community and help to amplify the voices of members of under-represented groups while enriching our society overall. Many of these people and organizations are grounded in volunteerism/service and we recognize their efforts here since much of that work is so critical and yet undervalued and underappreciated.
2020 Community Awardees:
These two local organizations have been supportive of and involved with IWAU since the beginning in 2015. Whereas they originally volunteered rooms, material supports, and to help publicize our events, over the years they have added so much more to these ongoing contributions.
The Library routinely curates book displays related to IWAU and co-hosts events. The Gallery contributed 3 unique and well-attended programming events to the schedule in 2020, with little prompting. These two organizations at the heart of our city are indicative of the amazing arts, culture, and education organizations in Prince George, BC.
These two amazing local Elders have been the driving organizational forces behind a School District 57 Métis/Louis Riel Day hosted at UNBC for years. They have also been part of the UNBC campus community on a more frequent basis, providing opportunities for students to connect with Métis culture, via the First Nations Centre. Joyce has also been a part of the Wellness Centre’s coffee group at UNBC, connecting with students there.
Their dedication, passion, skills, and knowledge have welcomed thousands of local school children and university attendees to engage with Métis culture, heritage, and history via displays, music, food, stories, and more. This important community work is needed to broaden awareness, acceptance, and celebration of Métis culture in Prince George and beyond.
2019 Community Awardees:
Joyce Roberts and Christine Roberts
Consider how you can contribute to this gift of an education for women among us.
Please Support the Inspiring Women Among Us Awards by making a contribution that is meaningful to you - and by encouraging others to give!
For online donations:
Under drop-down menu, choose Inspiring Women Among Us Award
