Barb MacQuarrie, researcher with the Faculty of Education and community director for the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children, has joined an elite group of individuals by being appointed to the Order of Ontario.
The appointment is the province’s highest official honour. Created in 1986, the Order of Ontario recognizes any current or former long-time resident of Ontario who has demonstrated a high level of individual excellence and achievement in any field benefiting the people of Ontario, or anywhere in the world.
MacQuarrie was given the honour for her tireless advocacy and work in the fields of violence against women, human rights and social justice on a provincial, national and international basis.
“I am honoured and truly humbled to have received such a high commendation,” said MacQuarrie. “Though I don’t do any of this vitally important work alone – this award belongs to my colleagues, community partners and my family.”
MacQuarrie’s career in advocacy has spanned more than 30 years. In that time she has worked internationally, advocating for civilians who were threatened by military violence in war-torn regions of the world; spearheaded a number of provincial and national initiatives to raise awareness about domestic violence; and helped pave the way for education and policy changes in the Canadian workforce through leading the largest study of its kind on the effects of domestic violence in the workplace.
“Barb is an accomplished, intelligent, and profoundly compassionate person,” said Vicki Schwean, Dean of the Faculty of Education. “Her work has changed the lives of countless numbers of people; we are very privileged to have her as part of our faculty and simply thrilled she has received this outstanding recognition.”
The Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, officially appointed MacQuarrie and 25 other appointees to the Order of Ontario yesterday evening at a ceremony at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
