Our Awards
The 2023 WRC Awards of Excellence
These annual awards showcase and celebrate the outstanding success of University of Calgary community members. Each year, women are recognized for their wisdom, resiliency, and compassion in the face of adversity. Award recipients exemplify outstanding leadership in their personal and professional lives and strive to make their communities a better place for all. This year, the awards are being announced on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023.
The 2023 WRC Awards Recipients
Erin Brennand
WRC Distinguished Alumna Award Recipient
Dr. Erin Brennand, MD, is a practicing urogynecologist in Calgary, a clinician-scientist and an associate professor within the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) who completed her post-graduate medical training and obtained a Master of Science in Community Health Sciences at UCalgary in 2020.
Kulsum Fatima
WRC Distinguished Graduate Student Award Recipient
Kulsum Fatima is a PhD student at UCalgary’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, in addition to being an architect and a former assistant professor at the Jamia Millia Islamia University in India with 11 years of teaching experience.
Nicole Schmidt
WRC Distinguished Undergraduate Student Award Recipient
Nicole Schmidt is currently pursuing a BA in political science and a BA in international relations. To foster her passion of creating more opportunities for women to be involved in politics at the national and international levels, she collaborated with Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations under the Girls Belong Here program.
The Sheila O'Brien Award
Sheila O'Brien embodies a unique example of leadership that has allowed her to transcend the traditional barriers faced by women. Along with her leadership roles in the private sector, Ms. O'Brien has continued to be active in community and government affairs. The Sheila O'Brien Award for Excellence in Leadership is awarded annually to the volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and brought a sense of kindness to the Women's Resource Centre. The recipient is determined based on nominations by fellow WRC volunteers.
The 2023 Sheila O'Brien Award Recipient
Elizabeth Venton-Parnell
The Sheila O'Brien Award for Excellence in Leadership
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Venton-Parnell is a BA in Political Science (Honours) major who has been a part of the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) community since the fall of 2018. Lizzy has contributed immensely to making the WRC a safe and inclusive space for all to thrive, learn, unlearn, and relearn.
Sheila O'Brien