Efforts to mentor young women earns scholarship

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By Kyle Glennie

Dana Ross has been awarded a Persons Case Scholarship from the Government of AlbertaA Faculty of Medicine student has been awarded a Government of Alberta Persons Case scholarship for her academic achievement and dedication to mentoring young women.  Dana Ross, who finished her final year of medical school at the University of Calgary in early April, will receive $4000 for the award, created to assist students whose studies will ultimately contribute to the advancement of women, or who are studying in fields where members of their gender are traditionally few in number.

“The criteria for this scholarship fits perfectly with my own goals, in that it seeks to reward those who wish to help woman in the future,” explains Ross.  “That’s definitely something I aim to do, so this gives me an opportunity to pay it forward.”

Ross found the Persons Case scholarship online and felt confident applying because of her volunteer experience working with girls interested in science.  Although part of the scholarship’s purpose is to assist women studying in fields that generally have fewer women than men–something that isn’t necessarily true at the Faculty of Medicine–Ross was still compelled to apply based on her future goals.

“In my essay to the selection committee I tried to focus on what I could offer women in the future.  Being Métis, I really hope to be an inspiration to young women in my community, and I’d like to help lower suicide rates in First Nations communities.”  Ross says the funding she will receive from the scholarship is already earmarked for tuition.  Next up is residency training in Psychiatry at Queen’s University.

Established in 1979 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the "Persons Case", the scholarships honour the efforts of five Alberta women: Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, and Henrietta Muir Edwards, who fought and won the right for the women of Canada to be officially deemed "persons" under the law.