Awards
Two students awarded Shirley Pettifer Memorial Scholarship
On June 4, 2026, Mariam C. Coulibaly (Social Science, Psychology and Human Behaviour Profile, pictured right) and Nessa Woolf (General Social Science, pictured left) were each awarded a $500 scholarship in honour of the late Vanier teacher Shirley Pettifer.
Throughout her nearly 40-year teaching career at Vanier College, Shirley Pettifer was a passionate organizer and advocate for the feminist and social justice movements, inspiring countless students to contribute to the fight for womens' rights. In her honour, the scholarship recognizes students who embody these values by asking applicants to describe a woman who has had a positive impact on their lives.
The recipients were honoured at a ceremony held in the Vanier Gardens, beside Pettifer's commemorative bench. About 30 people attended the event, including recipients' friends and family members, as well as Pettifer's son, friends, former colleagues, and members of the Vanier community. The annual gathering serves as a celebration of her legacy and how it continues to live on through the students who carry her values forward.
