The theme of this year's Women's History Month is 'Women making history NOW'...
It seems fitting then, that one of UNBC's founding faculty members has just been recognized nationally for outstanding contributions in her area of expertise. Dr. Kathy Lewis has received the Canadian Forestry Scientific Achievement Award from the Canadian Institute of Forestry.
The award recognizes those who have made "innovative and outstanding achievements in forestry research in Canada." A Registered Professional Forester, Dr. Lewis is credited with being the driving force behind UNBC's Forestry program, which began as a major in 1993 and has transitioned into the Forest Ecology and Management degree.
Currently, Dr. Lewis also serves as the University's Acting Vice-President for the Office of Research and Innovation.
Just last month, Dr. Kendra Furber was named a 2021 Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) Scholar.
An assistant professor with the UBC Northern Medical Program at UNBC, Dr Furber says the substantial award - $90-thousand-dollars a year for five years – will not only allow her to grow her research, but will facilitate collaboration across different health research disciplines in northern BC.
“My research is aimed at understanding the biology of the myelin sheath in the brain, providing insights on how to prevent damage or promote repair under pathological conditions,” says Furber. “I am also interested in the impact of aging on myelination, as many neurodegenerative conditions occur at later life stages.”
Another history-maker on campus is Bev Best, the university’s Manager of Aboriginal Student Engagement. During last June’s virtual Convocation, Best became the first person to hold four degrees from UNBC when she earned her MBA.
Best says earning four degrees in 15-years was not an easy task, especially trying to maintain a work-life balance during her MA and MBA degrees. She credits support from her husband and an amazing team at the First Nations Centre.
“As a Dakelh woman, it is very important for me to be a good role model and to provide as much support as I can to upcoming students to help them see the advantages an education gives to someone.”
These women are making a difference on campus and in our community.
Another difference-maker was Bridget Moran. The local author received the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal, the BC Book prize and honorary doctorate degrees from both UNBC and the University of Victoria before passing away in 1999. The Northern BC Archives and Special Collections is home to the Bridget Moran fonds, illustrating Moran’s careers as a writer, a social worker, and social activist in the region. Moran's 1988 book "Stoney Creek Woman: the story of Mary John" was short-listed for the Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize and is in its 14th printing. Arsenal Publishing describes this Biography as "The captivating story of Mary John (who passed away in 2004), a pioneering Carrier Native whose life on the Stoney Creek reserve in central BC is a capsule history of First Nations life from a unique woman's perspective. A mother of twelve, Mary endured much tragedy and heartbreak--the pangs of racism, poverty, and the deaths of six children--but lived her life with extraordinary grace and courage."
The library's first floor display includes a timeline of important women and moments in Canadian history - stop by and check it out. Don't forget to grab a crossword puzzle to test your knowledge of Canadian women of note!
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