Deputy Provost Laeeque Daneshmend presented the Queen's Human Rights Initiative Award to the Anti-Stigma Workshops in Residence program at a recent ceremony. Members at the ceremony to accept the award include, from left to right: Sarah Walker and Heather Downie (Peer Support Centre), Alicia Costante and Haley Warren (Mental Health Awareness Committee), Stacey Kiefer (Assistant Manager, Residence Life), Beth Doxsee (Peer Health Outreach Coordinator).

The Queen’s University Equity and Human Rights offices presented three awards this week to honour the outstanding achievements of students, faculty and staff who have helped make the university a more inclusive, accessible and equitable place.

“These awards celebrate and recognize the extraordinary contributions of these individuals,” says Irène Bujara, Director, Human Rights and Equity offices. “Their work is truly extraordinary – they have gone above and beyond their daily duties and made enormous commitments to make this university a better place.”

Laeeque Daneshmend, Deputy Provost, presented the three awards:

Mark Green (Civil Engineering) received the Queen’s Employment Equity Award for his work raising awareness of Aboriginal student issues and his determination to eliminate barriers for Aboriginal students who want to study at Queen’s. Dr. Green served for eight years as co-chair of the Queen’s Aboriginal Council and was instrumental in bringing the Aboriginal Access to Engineering Program to Queen’s in 2011.

The Queen’s Human Rights Initiative Award went to the Anti-Stigma Workshops in Residence program, organized by the AMS Social Issues Commission’s committee on mental health awareness, the Peer Health Educator Program and the Peer Support Centre. The workshops, delivered to first-year students living in residence, aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health concerns and mental illnesses. The workshops are the first anti-stigma outreach program on campus that uses a direct contact-based education approach, and they have had a powerful and positive impact on participants.

Kathy Jackson, Undergraduate Coordinator, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, received the Steve Cutway Accessibility Award for her dedication to raising awareness of the physical and recreational needs of individuals with disabilities. A well-known educator and devoted volunteer, Ms Jackson has been chair of the Queen’s Accessibility Committee, a board member for Revved Up Kingston, a consultant for the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability, a volunteer for the Special Olympics held in Kingston, and a staff advisor for the Queen’s-led event, the Winter Adapted Games.

“This award re-affirms that other people believe accessibility is important. It is so nice to know someone is noticing and seeing this work as beneficial,” says Ms Jackson. “It is also such an honour to receive an award in Steve’s name – it’s very special to me.”

More information on the awards is available on the Equity Office website.