Dianne Martin honoured posthumously with YWCA award

Osgoode Hall Law School Professor Dianne Martin (LLB ’76) has been chosen to receive posthumously  the “YWCA Woman of Distinction 2005, Special Award”, for a life lived in defence of justice. It is the YWCA’s first-ever posthumous award.



Right: Dianne Martin


Martin, who died of a heart attack in December at 59, is one of eight award recipients the YWCA is recognizing this year for their unique contributions to improving the lives of women and girls in Toronto. The official announcement of the award winners was made at a news conference on March 8, and the awards will be handed out at a dinner on May 31 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Marlys Edwardh of the law firm Ruby and Edwardh, who graduated from Osgoode in 1974 and was a good friend of Martin’s, represented her at the awards announcement.


In announcing the news to the Osgoode community, Dean Patrick Monahan said it is wonderful for the Osgoode community and Martin’s family and friends to know that she has received this prestigious and well-deserved honour for the extraordinary contributions she made during her illustrious career. “Even today, our dear friend and colleague continues to inspire us to strive for justice in and through law,” Monahan said.


For more on Dianne Martin, see the Jan. 4 and Jan. 14 issues of YFile.