Osgoode law student lauded for her work with children, women; taking on sexism in hip-hop and popular culture
TORONTO, May 17, 2004 -- At only 23, Michelle Dagnino has already earned an uncommon degree of respect for her achievements as a leader in both her community and internationally. Her work with women, children and people of colour has garnered Dagnino top honours in Maclean’s Magazine’s special report “The best and the brightest: Twenty-five Faces for the Future“ which lands on Canadian newsstands today.
Additionally, the first-year law student at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School was recently named the 2004 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction, a recognition which will be bestowed this Thursday.
“Michelle is a truly remarkable young woman whom all Canadians can be truly proud,” said Lorna Marsden, York University President and Vice-Chancellor. Her commitment to social justice for women, youth and visible minorities are impressive qualities by any measure.”
(PHOTO: Michelle Dagnino)
“These accolades are well deserved and we are extremely impressed by what Michelle has accomplished,” added Patrick Monahan, Dean of Osgoode Hall Law School. “She has established a new benchmark for youth activists and the next generation of legal professionals.”
Dagnino recently graduated from York with a Master’s degree focusing on women, politics and workers’ rights worldwide. She plans to work in the field of women's health law and labour rights.
This is not the first time Dagnino has been singled out for her exceptional abilities. In 1998, she was honoured with the Weston Award, a national scholarship granted by the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation whose winners are selected for their qualities of leadership and character, their record of service to the community as well as their academic promise.
From an early age, Dagnino has been involved with the fight for women's and children's rights, along with anti-racism work, particularly with youth. While still in high school, she founded Aspire, a mentorship group for young women that pairs them with community leaders to provide positive role models of women. In 2002, she founded Ruckus!, an anti- racism conference for youth of color.
One of Dagnino's most recent projects is: Where is the Love? The Commodification of Women in Hip Hop, a training program that highlights sexist images and messages that young women experience in popular culture. She initiated the project out of frustration with how women of color were being portrayed by mainstream media.
As Child Labour Campaign Coordinator of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), Dagnino has traveled around the world to speak to governments, NGOs, local communities and trade unions to assist them in the fight against use of child labour. A tireless advocate of children's rights, she went on to be a delegate at the United Nations Special Session on the Child.
Dagnino has also received a grant from the Ontario Genomics Institute for her work on gene patenting and legal policy. It is the first time an Osgoode student has received the fellowship.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, the media should contact:
Ken Turriff, Media Relations, York University
416-736-2100, ext. 22086, kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/072/04
