Background
The Patricia Baker Award recognizes outstanding contributions by members of NUCAUT locals to the advancement of equity in the post-secondary community.
This award was established in 2008 in honour and memory of Sister Patricia Baker. Sister Baker was an academic, a union activist, a feminist and a woman who worked tirelessly to make her vision of an inclusive and equitable university community a reality. Sister Baker was a member of the National Executive Board of NUCAUT until her death in December 2007.
Criteria
The selection criteria for the Patricia Baker Award are:
- Candidates must be a member of a NUCAUT local
- Candidates’ contributions may have benefitted any or all groups of workers (faculty, students, staff) in the post-secondary education sector
- The form of the candidates’ achievements may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- organizational leadership
- policy implementation
- legislation
- mobilization
- educational initiatives
- distinguished service
- The outstanding quality of the contribution may derive from the result of a single project or activity, or in the accumulation of efforts through consistent involvement over a long period of time in supporting the advancement of equity and inclusivity in the post-secondary sector
- Candidates’ contributions to the advancement of workers from equity-seeking groups in the post-secondary community may have been focused locally, provincially, regionally, nationally, or a combination of these
- The number and frequency of awards will be as the National Executive Board (NEB) deems appropriate
Recommendations
Recommendations should include a cover letter describing specific contributions and achievements of the nominee as they relate to the award criteria.
Additional information may be gathered by the NEB as it feels necessary.
Academic staff associations or unions, their committees or caucuses, other unions, including provincial federations of labour, or any other interested parties, individual or collective, are invited to submit recommendations for the Patricia Baker Award.
Recommendations should be addressed to:
President
National Union of CAUT
2705 Queensview Drive
Ottawa, ON K2B 8K2
Past award winners
2009: Glenis Joyce and Penni Stewart
Glenis Joyce is a member of the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association. Glenis’ commitment to equity has been demonstrated through her work within the faculty association, other unions, and more broadly with local, provincial and national communities and organizations. Her interests include work on bullying and harassment, pay equity, and employment equity. Glenis has also played key roles in two Human Rights Tribunal cases -- one to address the underfunding of women’s sport at the University of Saskatchewan and the other a complaint of systemic discrimination in the Canada Research Chairs Program.
Penni Stewart is a member of the York University Faculty Association. Penni has served her faculty association as president, grievance officer, and member of the bargaining team as well as on the association’s Community Projects Committee. Some of the gains made by her association as a result of her work include the negotiation of contract language on harassment and affirmative action, the development of the “salary adjustment fund” and the development of a transition year program to support entry into university of students who, for reasons of inequity, would otherwise not have access. Penni‘s activism not only demonstrates a commitment to creating equity but also a commitment to collaborative processes and inclusive practices.
