Honorary degree citation - Doris Anderson*
By: Sylvia M. Ruby, June 1990
Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you Doris Anderson, who has won the admiration and respect of the Canadian community for her outstanding contributions as author, editor, businesswoman, civil libertarian and women's rights activist.
Born in Calgary and educated at the University of Alberta, her early career was spent in script writing and publishing short stories. In 1951, following a year of writing in England, she accepted a position with Chatelaine Magazine and rose rapidly through its ranks to the position of editor. Under her direction, Chatelaine became a leading voice for Canadian women.
En 1979, Doris Anderson est nommée présidente du Conseil consultatif canadien sur la condition féminine à Ottawa qui a pour fonction de conseiller le gouvernement relativement aux dossiers touchant les femmes. De 1982 à 1984, elle est présidente du National Action Committee on the Status of Women, un groupe de pression formé de bénévoles représentant plus de quatre cents organismes de femmes.
Doris Anderson is the author of three novels. These include "Two Women" published in 1978, "Rough Layout" in 1982 and "Affairs of State" published in 1988. She has recently completed a non fiction book entitled "Unfinished Revolution" which surveys the women's movement over the past twenty years in North America and Europe.
Madame Anderson a siégé à de nombreux conseils d'administration et participé à de nombreuses commissions, notamment la National Conference on Confederation, l'Institut canadien des affaires publiques, le Conseil d'administration de l'Université York, l'Institute on Public Policy Planning ainsi que le Judicial Council of Ontario.
Doris Anderson has been the recipient of numerous awards, including honorary degrees from the University of Calgary, Dalhousie University and Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. She is also a member of the News Hall of Fame, a recipient of the 1983 Y Awards for Women of Distinction and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Mr. Chancellor, it is a privilege to present to you, on behalf of the Senate and by the authority of the Board of Governors, Doris Anderson, so that you may confer on her the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
* deceased
