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1999 Recipients

Bertha Allen
Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Through her leadership as President of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women of the Northwest Territories, founding President of the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories and President of the Native Women's Association of Canada, Mrs. Allen has been a tireless promoter of equality for women. The only female member of the Bourque Commission, she helped create the new constitution for the western Northwest Territories. Respected nationally for her common sense approach and her passion for women and families, Mrs. Allen continues to make outstanding contributions to our Canada.

Dr. Maria Eriksen
Calgary, Alberta

A strong advocate for societal change and women's equality, Maria Eriksen was instrumental in founding the Calgary Status of Women Action Committee; the Alberta Status of Women Action Committee, the National Watch in Images of Women in the Media and the Alberta Legal Education and Action Fund. Dr. Eriksen has also been an advocate in her professional life. Known as a feminist therapist, she brings a feminist philosophy to her clinical work in psychology and is especially sensitive to cultural diversities and the need to work for change on the individual and societal levels. Dr. Eriksen played a prominent role in establishing women's studies programs at Mount Royal College and the University of Calgary and is also a founding member and Chair of the Famous Five Foundation. Aside from her many formal accomplishments, Maria remains a mentor to her fellow women therapists, to young women seeking positive role models and to her friends.

Enid Page
Aylmer, Quebec

An influential contributor to both government and non-government agencies, Ms. Page has shaped policy, not only as an advisor, but as a Canadian spokesperson at national and international levels. She played a pivotal role in establishing of MATCH - an international organization working for women's equality in partnership with women's organizations in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. A woman who is highly regarded as a clear thinking executive, Ms. Page has paved the way for other Canadian women to be recruited to positions of leadership.

Anne Marie Perry
Tignish, Prince Edward Island

Leader, groundbreaker, mentor, businessperson and mother, Mrs. Perry has devoted a lifetime to her Acadian community in Prince Edward Island working to improve the status of women, both in her community and beyond. As a teacher and mother she has always been an advocate for girls' education, for fostering their self-esteem within the school system and for encouraging girls to make their opinions heard, both in the schools and in the world. She has served with the Acadian Teacher's Federation, the School Board, the West Prince Regional Services Centre, the Canadian Legion Women's Auxiliary and the Prince Edward Island Housing Corporation. As well, Mrs. Perry was the Prince Edward Island representative of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women, where she was instrumental in developing policy recommendations on pension and fiscal reform for women. Mrs. Perry continues her lifelong commitment to the active promotion of French language education and of the Acadian culture in her province. Her influence and genuine concern have shaped the lives of many anglophone and francophone women.

Dr. Bette Stephenson
Richmond Hill, Ontario

A person who has achieved remarkable accomplishments herself, Dr. Stephenson has shared those accomplishments with many Canadian women. She has led the way in many career and community issues, encouraging women to volunteer despite the daily demands of their hectic careers - to champion social issues and issues uppermost in many women's minds. Recognizing the time era and gender barriers presented in the medical and political fields, the accomplishments that Dr. Stephenson achieved for herself and women are remarkable. In many of her roles, Bette disregarded the traditional gender barriers - broke the glass ceiling that so often presented to women in order to champion equality and the advancement of women in Canada. Under Dr. Stephenson's leadership, a group of female family physicians gathered to affiliate with the Women's College Hospital Department of General Practice - the first of its kind in Toronto. She has been active in providing women in poverty situations information about birth control and family planning. Believing women are equipped to contribute and achieve a great deal within their communities, Dr. Stephenson continues to guide many who look to her for advice in advancing women's issues in Canada. She is a strong advocate, encouraging the advancement of women in Canada and a true role model to all Canadian women.

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