Rosemary Brown Symposium on Women & Social Justice
Every year, to honour the important legacy of the late Rosemary Brown, SFU's Department of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies (GSWS) brings together distinguished scholars, students, service providers, and the broader community together to speak on current issues of diversity, ongoing inequalities, and ways to create positive change.
We were happy to support GSWS to host the seventh Rosemary Brown Memorial Symposium, which featured two distinguished speakers, Hon. Melanie Mark (MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, BC’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport) and Dr. June Francis (Associate Professor at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, Director of the Institute for Diaspora Research and Engagement).
Online Event
About Rosemary Brown
Rosemary Brown’s life’s work was that of equity and social justice. She was the first Black woman to be elected to a provincial legislature (in BC) in 1972, where she served as MLA from 1972-1986. She was also the first Black woman to run for a federal party leadership, when she ran in 1975 for the NDP. She also served as Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission from 1993-1996, and was awarded the Order of British Columbia in 1995, and the Order of Canada in 1996.
Rosemary Brown served as the Ruth Wynn Woodward Endowed Chair in Women’s Studies at SFU during 1986-87. GSWS is honoured to continue this connection in her memory and celebrate her work and legacy.
The Rosemary Brown Award for Women is given out annually by a committee comprised of representatives from the United Nations Association in Canada (Vancouver Branch), the BC Association of Social Workers, the BC Federation of Labour, the National Congress of Black Women Foundation, the Society for Children and Youth of BC, and the University Women’s Club of Vancouver.
The Rosemary Brown Undergraduate Award in Social Justice is given annually to a GSWS student who has made outstanding contributions to issues of social justice.
Part of Towards Equity
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified inequities and exposed the deficiencies of our institutions. It has confirmed we must enact change and signaled that transformation is possible. What must we understand –and do– to recover equitably and reimagine our systems to confront the intersecting crises of inequality, systemic racism and climate change?
Towards Equity, SFU Public Square’s 2021 Community Summit Series will take place online throughout the year and will bring the university into conversation with local and global communities. Join us to learn and take action together towards a more just, equitable and sustainable future.
On this Page
Melanie Mark
Elected in 2016, HLI HAYKWHL ẂII XSGAAK, 馬蘭妮| Melanie Mark is the first First Nations woman member of the legislative assembly (MLA) in British Columbia's history, representing the riding of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant.
During the 41st parliament, she was appointed as the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. Melanie remains the only First Nations woman to serve in Cabinet as BC's new Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. Melanie is Nisga'a, Gitxsan, Cree and Ojibway. She was born and raised in East Vancouver and has deep roots in northern BC and Manitoba.
Melanie is unapologetically passionate about social, environmental and economic justice; she entered politics to disrupt the status quo. Within two months as a minister, she paved a new path by creating the first provincial tuition waiver program for youth from the foster care system and removed all fees for adults accessing Adult Basic Education.
She is most proud of her work to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, specifically supporting Indigenous teachers and language fluency, and launching the world's first Indigenous law program at the University of Victoria in 2018.
Melanie firmly believes that education is the great equalizer and often says, "a rising tide lifts all canoes."
Melanie's work is inspired by her two daughters Maya and Makayla and the desire for them to have greater access to education and opportunities as they grow up. Family is very important to Melanie and her time with Maya, Makayla and her extended family keeps her grounded and motivated.
Melanie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Simon Fraser University. She holds a Criminology Diploma from Douglas College/Native Education College and an Advanced Executive Certificate from Queen's School of Business.
Melanie believes strongly that the changes we need to inspire and support future generations require all of us to get on board and paddle together.
June Francis
June Francis, MBA, LLB, Ph.D., is the director of the Institute for Diaspora Research and Engagement at SFU and an associate professor at SFU's Beedie School of Business. She is co-founder of the Co-Laboratorio project, which works across sectors and actors to foster social transformation and racial, ethnic and gender equity and belonging through community-engaged research and reimagining organizations in public, NGO and private sectors through racial equity and decolonizing lenses.
Originally from Jamaica, the global scope of her work takes her to South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. Her research focuses on the Black Lives Matter movement and the academy, markets, diversity, inter-culturality, leadership and participatory engagement approaches and community impact with vulnerable and excluded groups and COVID-19 racial impacts.
June has been recognized by the Province of British Columbia and the National Congress of Black Women as a Trailblazer. The City of Vancouver has recognized her for her contributions to education and to the city, and she is the recipient of a Service Award from the Beedie School of Business for her contributions to the community. She was recently named on Chatelaine's Trailblazing List of Black Canadians Making Change Now and nominated for the 2021 YWCA Women of Distinction Award.
A thought leader on racial equity, June has given more than 50 interviews and seminars in the past year on these issues.
SFU hosts Rosemary Brown Memorial Symposium on Women & Social Justice – Charlene Aviles, The Peak (May 28, 2021)
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Hope in Resistance: Stories of Climate Justice
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Mapping Equity: Using GIS and Maps to Make Invisible Realities Visible
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Equity in Practice: More Stories of Community Capacity Building
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Equity in Practice: Community Capacity Building
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Overcoming Digital Divides: Public Internet Access
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Researching for Climate Justice
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Rosemary Brown Memorial Symposium
Every year, to honour the important legacy of the late Rosemary Brown, SFU's Department of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies (GSWS) brings together distinguished scholars, students, service providers, and the broader community together to speak on current issues of diversity, ongoing inequalities, and ways to create positive change.
Read More →
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Overcoming Digital Divides: Older Adults and Digital Literacy
Older adults are less likely to use the internet than younger people in Canada, and many report that information technologies do not improve their quality of life or save time. The issue is more pertinent than ever under the pandemic.
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The 2021 Spry Memorial Lecture
Desmond Cole and Tanya Talaga, along with moderator Candis Callison, will consider recent attention over the escalation of commentary on the representation of Indigenous, Black, and people of colour; the structural challenges that currently impede calls for greater diversity; and how institutions and platforms can foster a more constructive dialogue.
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Dean's Lecture on Information + Society
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Decolonizing Scottish Studies
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Innovations in Research
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Overcoming Digital Divides: Low-Income Communities
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Overcoming Digital Divides: Indigenous, Rural and Remote Communities
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