The 175^th anniversary of Queen’s is a time to celebrate and in line with this The Ban Righ Foundation is highlighting the achievements of women at the university and in the community with two new awards for mentoring and leadership.

The Ban Righ Foundation Mentorship Award will recognize a Queen’s faculty member (current or retired) who identifies as a woman and is someone who has: demonstrated mentorship and knowledge-sharing; has supported women in achieving their goals; and has inspired a student or students.

The Ban Righ Foundation Leadership Award is for an individual who identifies as a woman, and whose leadership has: built capacity and fostered opportunities for others; made a positive contribution to the Kingston community; and been inspirational.

The foundation’s board saw that the anniversary would be an opportune time to raise awareness of the Ban Righ Centre by recognizing remarkable women who mentor and support others. As they progressed, explains board member Julie McLachlan, the group was excited by the number of successful women with connections to Queen’s.

“This enthusiasm grew into creating awards to celebrate the contributions of women, not simply their success in the commercial world, but looking at women who inspire and support others,” she says. “I feel it is important to have the Ban Righ Foundation celebrate women and by offering an award for a Queen’s faculty member and the greater Kingston community we are able to share stories and provide hope and encouragement for current students.”

The awards will be presented Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Ban Righ Foundation Inspiring Women, an evening at The Isabel. Also at the event, Shelagh Rogers (Artsci ’77), CBC radio host and chancellor of University of Victoria, will moderate a panel discussion on what moves, motivates and inspires women to achieve.

Nominations are now being accepted. For further details and to download the nomination forms visit the Ban Righ Centre website.