Minerva BC’s Education Awards program helps women pursue post-secondary education and create a better future for themselves, their families and communities.
The awards are made possible by the generosity of donors and educational institutions in BC who believe in the importance of education for future success. The benefits to these women are immediate and long-lasting.
MICHELLE POCKEY LEADERSHIP AWARD 2024
Applications are now open for the Michelle Pockey Leadership Award. This $5000 award supports the successful nominee’s tuition, housing, childcare, and other expenses in the pursuit of post-secondary education. The award gives priority to an Indigenous woman and/or single parent, and second priority to women pursuing law, justice, Indigenous or environmental studies.
As a prominent lawyer and community activist, Michelle Pockey dedicated herself to making a positive difference in the world. A winner of the 2016 BIV Influential Women in Business Award, Michelle worked tirelessly for 20 years to advance women in business, law, and non-traditional sectors. She was an inspiration to others every day of her life until her passing from cancer in 2016.
To apply please complete the application form. Applications close on February 3, 2024 at 5:00pm PST. The Award will be presented at the BIV Influential Women in Business Awards on March 8, 2024.
2023 Award Recipients
Tara-Lynn Wilson was the recipient of the $5000 Michelle Pockey Leadership Award 2023. Tara-Lynn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is currently enrolled at the Faculty of Law at Thompson Rivers University. She has demonstrated her leadership through her work at the Interior Academy as an Indigenous Student Advocate and is the president of the Indigenous Law Students Association of Thompson River University Law. Along with her spouse, she founded the university’s Pow Wow Club where students can have a place to dance and stay connected with their culture.
Two additional awards of $1000 bursaries were presented to Tasha Wesley, who is completing her Bachelor’s degree in social work, and Case Spence, who is working towards accreditation as a Clinical Herbalist.
MINERVA BC CHAMPIONS AWARDS
The Minerva BC Champions Awards honour the following individuals and their families, who have made women’s education part of their legacy: Jocelyn Bourassa, Jacqueline Frewin, Thomas Kinloch, Janet Fleck Ladner, Randy Sung, The Harrison/Buitenhuis Family, and The Rix Family. Current awards include:
- Camosun College, Women in Trades and Women in Technology
- Capilano University, Paul and Catherine Dangerfield Women’s Bursary
- TRU, Women in Trades
- Royal Road University, Women’s Bursary
- UNBC, Women in Business
- Karina LeBlanc Foundation, Women in Sport
We partner with these organizations to administer the awards and maximize the investment of our donors. To apply for a Minerva BC Champions Award, please contact the Financial Aid or Awards office at the institution where the award is held.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS AND $1000 BURSARY
Launched in 2018, the Youth Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding alumna from the most recent Learning to Lead™ cohort. This award is presented to the recipient in October and includes a $1000 bursary toward the recipient’s educational and leadership journey. All Learning to Lead™ participants are eligible to apply.
