Women of Inspiration Education Award Recipients

Women of Inspiration Education Award

Girls Inc. Northern Alberta in partnership with Syncrude Canada have proudly assisted 27 women pursue their post-secondary education goals with three education awards. These women are role-models for girls in our community, so that they are inspired to become strong, smart and bold women in the future.

The award is given based on the financial need, academic achievement and extracurricular and community involvement.

The award will be provided to a female student pursuing studies in, but not limited to, colleges or university studies. Technical or Trades studies are also eligible. Applications will be accepted from June to mid-July.

Two of the scholarships have been named after our former Women of Inspiration. The Barb Jewers Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who demonstrates a sincere commitment to volunteerism and community activism. The Elsie Yanik Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a qualifying applicant with First Nations or Metis ancestry.

To honour the legacy of Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta’s founder Ann Dort-MacLean--who retired in 2018-- the Ann Dort-MacLean Scholarship will be awarded to an applicant with demonstrated passion for youth empowerment and gender equality.

Syncrude Canada is a proud supporter of Girls Inc of Northern Alberta

2023 Recipients

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Afeefa Ahmad, who has been selected for the Barb Jewers Memorial Scholarship, is pursuing a degree in Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, hoping to venture into medicine and become a doctor. She is an enthusiastic volunteer who is also a Girls Inc girl. She has an impressive track record, including being a part of the RCMP National Youth Council Advisory and Mayor Advisory Council on Youth.

Afeefa shares “The road to pursuing your dreams may present challenges, but it is definitely a path worth traveling. Remember that your potential knows no bounds, and with determination and resilience, you can achieve anything you set your mind to… always remember that you possess the power to shape your own remarkable story”.

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Agametochi Okoro, who has been selected for the Ann Dort-MacLean Scholarship, is pursuing a degree in Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Waterloo. She is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and gender equity. Agametochi initiates discussions about local Black role models, organizes leadership presentations, and leads workshops to strengthen youth in areas of underrepresentation, such as the STEM field. She works as a Marketing Director of STEMConnect, a student-led initiative aimed at bridging the gap between communities with limited access to STEM education.

Agametochi saysI want to send a message to girls to be involved in your community in the things you are interested in. Many of my extracurriculars stem from current interests and passions that drive me as a person, which led to my contributions which put me where I am today. Even if the road seems difficult and there aren't many people or role models to look up to, I believe that you should continue to let your passions drive your actions in all your activities because it turns out to be worth it in the end”.

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Brooke Plews, who has been selected for the Elsie Yanik Memorial Scholarship, is seeking to become a social worker at Mount Royal University. She is a member of Fort McMurray #468 First Nation, who exemplifies advocacy and community involvement through her efforts to raise awareness about the lack of cultural competency and cultural safety she had encountered. She seeks opportunities to mentor Indigenous youth and children, guided by the ‘Truth and Reconciliation 94 Calls to Action’, and advocates for inclusivity and equity. Brooke is an Indigenous mentor working with Calgary Police Services, addiction centre, and mental health agencies advocating for Indigenous community’s needs.

She states “What inspired me to continually advocate for my community is knowing that my community is strong and resilient. It is those in the community who have faced many hardships in their lives that continuously inspire me. I want to help and walk alongside fellow Indigenous people who want to fight against the injustices we face”.

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