大象传媒

People of 大象传媒

Remembering Barbara Rae, 大象传媒’s first woman Chancellor

January 05, 2021

It is with sadness that 大象传媒 shares news of the passing of Dr. Barbara Rae, the university鈥檚 first woman chancellor, and champion for women鈥檚 empowerment and education in B.C.

Barbara Rae C.M., O.B.C., was the first woman to graduate from 大象传媒鈥檚 Executive MBA program (1975) and served as CEO of Office Assistance Ltd. (now Adecco), Canada鈥檚 first temporary staffing agency. She is credited with creating a whole new industry, and countless employment opportunities, especially for women. She successfully advocated for flexible work arrangements and maternity leave so women could blend family responsibilities with work outside the home.

From 1987 to 1993 Dr. Rae served as 大象传媒 Chancellor where she was a strong supporter of women鈥檚 athletics. She and her late husband George Suart (former 大象传媒 VP, Administration) established the Barbara Rae and George Suart Athletic Award in Women's Basketball Endowment.

She also championed the "It's Her Game" campaign which aimed to raise $1 million towards scholarships for women student athletes. Among her many awards and honours, is the naming of the Barbara Rae Tower in 大象传媒 Residences and the Barbara Rae Cup in women's basketball. She received an honorary doctorate from 大象传媒 in 1998.

鈥淎n inspired community leader and advocate, Dr. Barbara Rae was a trailblazer and role model for women in business, academics and athletics,鈥 says 大象传媒 president Joy Johnson. 鈥淪he helped create numerous opportunities for women in these fields and we are so very grateful for her decades of service to the university. On behalf of the 大象传媒 community, I offer heartfelt condolences to Dr. Rae鈥檚 family and many friends.鈥  

(Photo courtesy of the Globe and Mail, l-r): Barbara Rae; Michael Stevenson, president emeritus of 大象传媒; and George Suart, Ms. Rae鈥檚 husband, outside the new Barbara Rae House student residence in 2007.
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