By Lucianna Ciccocioppo
The Faculty of Law’s Dean Mayo Moran and distinguished alumna Justice Gloria Epstein, LLB 1977, of the Court of Appeal of Ontario, have been honoured with a 2013 YWCA Women of Distinction award, lauded for their outstanding work and “bold vision in significantly improving the lives of women and girls at home and abroad.”
On the eve of International Women’s Day, March 8, seven women were announced as recipients of the notable award, acknowledging their innovation in areas such as social justice, law, education, health, public service and volunteerism. A young woman of distinction is also recognized.
“Mayo Moran is a renowned legal scholar and a stellar dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto,” says Cheryl Misak, vice-president and provost. “The university is extremely pleased that her leadership has been recognized in this way.”
Applauded for her leadership in education, Moran is the first woman dean of the Faculty of Law and has raised awareness for and drawn much-needed attention to important matters, such as gender and diversity in the legal profession, access to justice, Aboriginal economic development and the Indian residential schools settlement agreement—issues that significantly impact the lives and women and girls.
As dean, Moran has launched the Women in Transition program to assist women re-entering the legal profession, and the groundbreaking Internationally Trained Lawyers Program, to help new Canadians with law degrees facilitate the maze of licensing requirements to practice in Ontario.
"I am honoured to receive the YWCA’s Women of Distinction award," says Moran. "I have always passionately believed in the importance of education in realizing the full potential of all individuals. Access to education has been especially transformative for girls and women and I am proud to be recognized by an organization like the YWCA which makes a tremendous difference."
The award recipients are doing tremendous things to build a world in which all women and girls can thrive.
Justice Epstein is considered a trailblazer in the legal profession, graduating at a time law was still considered a ‘man’s world.’ She honed her legal skills at two large firms, and later founded one of Toronto’s first women-owned legal firms.
Epstein is dedicated to supporting women lawyers. She lectures frequently on this issue, sharing her valuable work/life balance and parenting experiences with others, having raised three children and advancing her legal career from the bar to the bench.
She also volunteers her time on various boards, such a Pathways to Education, which encourages marginalized youth to complete high-school and attend post-secondary institutions, and the Ontario Justice Education Network, which promotes a more inclusive justice system.
The YWCA Women of Distinction awards, a 33-year tradition, “acknowledge[s] the determined, innovative work that is being done to address the specific barriers and challenges faced by women and girls,” says CEO Heather McGregor. “The award recipients are doing tremendous things to build a world in which all women and girls can thrive. We want to celebrate that work and encourage others to join in."
Recipients formally receive their awards at a celebratory and fundraising dinner for the YWCA Toronto on May 2, 2013.
