5 notable women selected for receipt of Honorary Degrees at the 2008 University of Alberta Convocation Ceremonies.
k.d. lang: A champion of sexual-minority rights who is committed to the celebration of diversity across all areas of human difference, lang is an internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter who was born in Edmonton and grew up in Consort, AB. lang has won eight Juno Awards along with four Grammy Awards. She will receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree on June 11 at 3 p.m.
Bertha (Berdie) Helen Fowler: A former city councillor and the first woman in Alberta to be elected president of a Chamber of Commerce, Fowler was also the first woman in Alberta to be appointed to the Alberta Apprenticeship Board and the Board of the Alberta Opportunity Company. Fowler will receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree at Augustana Campus on May 25 at 2:30 p.m.
Pamela Wallin: Wallin has made significant contributions to Canada through her endeavours in journalism, diplomacy and public service. Her career in journalism broke new ground as the first woman in Canadian network television history to be appointed Ottawa Bureau Chief (1985) and, later, as co-anchor of the nightly national newscasts for both CTV and CBC. Wallin will receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree on June 4 at 3 p.m.
Her Excellency The Right Honourable Michaelle Jean: An articulate advocate of social issues, Jean has been involved in aid organizations for immigrant women and families, and actively contributed to the creation of a network of emergency shelters throughout Quebec- and elsewhere in Canada-for women and children in crisis. Her Excellency will receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree on June 10 at 10 a.m.
Elizabeth Jones: Elizabeth Jones introduced and has trained thousands of medical professionals from 48 countries in Kangaroo Care, a program that has saved countless preterm infants by stabilizing their heartbeat, temperature and breathing, through skin-to-skin contact with their mothers or caring adults. Jones will receive an honorary Doctorate of Science degree on June 10 at 3 p.m.