The Fergusson Foundation is now calling for nominations for the 2025 MMFF Award, in recognition of outstanding contributions toward the prevention and elimination of family violence!
All nominations for the 2025 Award must be received by February 28th, 2025.
The Award will be presented at the Foundation’s 2025 Award Ceremony.
To submit a nomination, please complete the nomination form below and submit it along with two letters of support to Rebecca Francis, Executive Director of the Fergusson Foundation, at mmff@unb.ca
About the Award
The Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation Award was created in 1992 to recognize outstanding contributions toward preventing and eliminating family violence in Canada.
The Award recognizes an individual, group, organization, business, corporation or workplace that has furthered the prevention and elimination of family violence. The Award is presented annually during a special public function of the Foundation to commemorate the birthday of the Foundation’s Patron, Muriel McQueen Fergusson.
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Criteria
Canadian individuals or organizations whose achievements have advanced the prevention and elimination of family violence are eligible for nomination. All nominations should be in the same format as per the nomination form above and supported by two letters of recommendation.
Selection Process
The Award recipient is selected by a committee of the Foundation’s Board of Directors representatives based on the information provided by the nominators. The Fergusson Foundation reserves the right to verify the accuracy of the information provided in the submission. Nominees not chosen in the first year are retained and will be considered for the Award for the next two years.
About the Award
The Award itself was designed and produced by Carole Cronkite of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada’s first female pewtersmith.
The Award is made entirely by hand using only basic tools. Different gauges of sheet pewter are layered to create a three-dimensional effect. The four-piece logo is cut out with a delicate jewelers saw, filed, soldered, etched and shaded to produce the finished award.
The design of the Award is intended to symbolize the many faces of violence.
In addition, the Award recipient selects a registered charity, whose objectives further the goals of the Foundation, and the Foundation makes a $1,000 donation in their name.
New Brunswick’s Lieutenant-Governor and the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation Award
Founding member of the Fergusson Foundation and former Lieutenant-Governor Margaret Norrie McCain helped set the tone for the involvement of the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor in supporting the quest to eliminate family violence. For many years the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor has graciously allowed the Foundation to hold the Award presentation ceremony at Government House. Other Lieutenant-Governors including Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, Herménégilde Chiasson, Graydon Nicholas and Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau have continued this support. In 2020, the Honourable Brenda Murphy became an active participant with the Foundation’s work by accepting the role as Honorary Patron of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation Award.
Government House is the official residence to the Lieutenant-Governor but is also open to the public and receives thousands of visitors on an annual basis. The Award is now displayed at Government House allowing visiting Canadians, dignitaries, monarchy, heads of state, countless tours of school children and many others all to see these examples of outstanding Canadians, organizations and businesses who have helped further the elimination of family violence.
Past Recipients
- 1993 June Callwood
- 1994 Dr. Peter Jaffe
- 1995 Margaret Norrie McCain
- 1996 Sister Cecile Renault (posthumously)
- 1997 Dr. Donald G. Dutton
- 1998 ‘Making Waves’
- 1999 The Body Shop Canada
- 2000 Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre
- 2001 Dr. Sandra Byers
- 2002 Rina Arseneault
- 2003 Red Cross RespectED
- 2004 Senator Sharon Carstairs and Margaret Newall
- 2005 Margaret-Ann Blaney
- 2006 Penny K. Ericson
- 2007 Madeleine Delaney-LeBlanc
- 2008 Bernard Richard
- 2009 Rona Brown
- 2010 Native Women’s Association of Canada
- 2011 White Ribbon Campaign
- 2012 Ghosts of Violence
- 2013 Dr. Nancy Nason-Clark
- 2014 Sigrid Rolfe & Dr. Philip Smith
- 2015 Family Enrichment and Counselling Service
- 2016 Julie Devon Dodd
- 2017 C. Anne Crocker, C.M.
- 2018 Maryse Rinfret-Raynor
- 2019 Dr. Judith Wuest
- 2021 Dr. Linda C. Neilson
- 2022 Dr. Deborah Doherty
- 2023 Debrah Westerburg
- 2024 Dr. Lyne Chantal Boudreau
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The Fergusson Foundation was honoured to recognize the Honourable Dr. Lyne Chantal Boudreau,as the 31st recipient of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation Award.
November 27, 2024 (Fredericton, N.B.) – The Fergusson
Foundation presented the 31st MMFF Award to Hon. Dr. Lyne Chantal Boudreau, Minister Responsible for Women’s Equality and Seniors during a ceremony at Government House.
Created in 1992 to recognize outstanding contributions toward the prevention and elimination of family violence in Canada, the MMFF Award is presented annually to an individual, group or organization that has significantly contributed to that end.
The Fergusson Foundation was pleased to acknowledge Minister Boudreau for her exemplary leadership and commitment to the prevention and elimination of family violence.
“Minister Boudreau works tirelessly on behalf of women and children in her pursuit of working towards the elimination of family violence. From her extensive community engagement to leading her own entrepreneurial, and social, endeavours in support of survivors, we are honoured to recognize Minister Boudreau as she continues to make a significant difference at the forefront of this very important cause,“ declared Danika Carleton, Chair of the MMFF Award Selection Committee.
Sonja Perley, President of the Fergusson Foundation, said “Minister Boudreau’s dedication to ending family violence is outstanding and her considerable involvement on various committees, her research work and her own personal experience has undoubtedly been instrumental in raising awareness of domestic violence and its impacts throughout New Brunswick and beyond. It is an honour to recognize Minister Boudreau’s significant contributions and award her the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation Award today.”
In accepting the Award, Minister Boudreau said “It is with great honour that I receive this award on behalf of all those who, through their daily work, contribute to the elimination of family violence in our society and in particular to the elimination of violence against women and children. Let’s join forces to break the glass ceilings so that every individual in our society can reach their full potential and fulfil their dreams in a supportive, caring and respectful environment. ”
In honour of Minister Boudreau’s contributions, the Fergusson Foundation will provide a donation to Centre Courage de Shédiac and Centre Boréal.
Biography
Hon. Dr. Lyne Chantal Boudreau, PhD.
The Honourable Lyne Chantal Boudreau, Ph.D., Minister responsible for Women’s Equality and Seniors for the Government of New Brunswick, is a passionate advocate for gender equality, the empowerment of young girls, and social justice. Education, equity, and the promotion of respectful relationships and consent have always been at the heart of her concerns.
Before assuming her role as Minister and Member of the Legislative Assembly in October 2024, she was a university professor, conducting research on shared leadership, integrating creativity into decision-making, violence against women in academic settings, experiential learning, and the role of cultural mediation in minority Francophone communities.
An author, entrepreneur, businesswoman, speaker, mother, and grandmother to little Charles-Antoine, she recognizes the importance of including women and young girls in the technology sector. In this field, she emphasizes the need to provide them with opportunities to shine according to their aspirations while fostering communities that are ready to support them in achieving their goals.
Minister Boudreau is also committed to systemic social change through an intersectional and intergenerational approach. Through initiatives guided by a 360-degree perspective, she pursues goals of equity, respect, and empowerment, with a particular focus on the prevention of domestic violence.
Her motto, “Do not speak about us without us, but with us,” embodies her desire to build a more inclusive, just, and equitable society. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades for her volunteer efforts to end violence against women and children, including the Dialogue NB Award in 2020, the VIVE Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023, and the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Award in 2024.