Violet King Engaged Scholar Award

The Violet King Engaged Scholar Award is named after Violet King, Alberta’s and Canada’s first Black woman lawyer. King was an exemplar of an engaged scholar, as an inspired student leader in high school, on campus at the University of Alberta, where she completed a BA in History in 1952 and an LLB in 1953, becoming the first Black person in the province to graduate with a law degree. After articling with the Calgary law firm of Edward J. McCormick, Q.C., King was called to the Alberta Bar on June 2, 1954, becoming the first Black person in Alberta, and the first Black woman in Canada, to become a lawyer.

King was a trailblazer. She was born in Calgary on October 18, 1929 and raised in the Hillhurst-Sunnyside community. As a student leader, she was an exemplar of the academically, socially, and community-engaged scholar in high school, and this continued into her university studies. King’s trailblazing accomplishments and student engagement were widely recognized by Alberta newspapers when she was called to the Alberta Bar. In one editorial, “A Dauntless Young Woman,” The Albertan reported the following:

“History of a constructive kind was made in Calgary last week when Miss Violet King, a young colored woman, was admitted to the bar of this province. Miss King, a native of Calgary, had a brilliant record in the city schools and at the University of Alberta. She has always fitted one hundred percent into social, student and community affairs. She has, in fact, usually been a leader. In choosing a career, she wasn’t daunted by the scarcity of either people of her color or women of any race in the legal profession.

Her admission to the Alberta bar is a tribute to the profession, to her race, to her teachers and professors, to those who have sponsored and assisted her, to her parents—and of course, to herself.” (The Albertan, June 8, 1954).

Jo-Anne Henry

Ms. Jo-Anne Henry is the daughter of Violent King Henry and Godfrey Henry, who were both attorneys and spectacular parents. Ms. Henry is currently the Director of LEAD Strategic Impact at the National League of Cities in Washington, D.C.. Previously she has been in leadership positions in: District of Columbia Public Schools; DC’s Child Welfare system; the state of Georgia’s Child Welfare system; Director of a community-based child abuse prevention strategy called “Community Partnerships for Protecting Children”; and one of the 1st lawyers at an environmental justice pro bono law organization called “Alternatives for Community & Environment” (ACE). 

Ms. Henry received her J.D. degree from University of California, Berkeley’s School of Law; and her M.A. from Georgetown University’s School of Business. She currently resides in Washington DC with her teacher husband and their teen daughter, who wants to be a child psychologist when she gets older. 

Ms. Henry is thrilled with the ways her mother Violet has been and continues to be honoured; how her legacy still inspires; and how Violet’s historic trailblazing has been recognized.

Yvette Ysabel Yao

Yvette Ysabel Yao is a medical student at the Cumming School of Medicine. She is a magna cum laude graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, and received her bachelor's degrees in Molecular & Cell Biology (Honors) and Public Health (Honors). Growing up in the Philippines, Yvette witnessed the harsh realities of living in a medically underserved community. These experiences compelled her to be the first in her family to pursue a career in medicine, focusing on addressing the healthcare gaps prevalent in underserved communities. Having experienced the challenges of adjusting to new cultures and healthcare systems, she has taken on diverse roles to contribute to the fields of global and newcomer health.

At UC Berkeley, Yvette volunteered as a Tagalog health interpreter and spearheaded the introduction of preventative health curriculums to vulnerable populations in the Philippines through the “Hygiene Heroes” group. As a medical student, she co-founded the Calgary Asian Medical Students Association to advocate for newcomer health. She also serves as a National Officer of Research Exchange for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students. She is also the Federation of Medical Women of Canada representative for her class and is a Neurology System Editor for the Calgary Guide

Victory Abraham

Victory Abraham is an Ethiopian and Eritrean fourth-year Law and Society student at the University of Calgary. She is also obtaining a Mental Well-being and Resilience certificate. Victory plans to become a Lawyer, further exploring her passion for criminal justice, social justice and advocacy, and race-based data. 

Victory maintains secure relationships in all her community involvements to see Calgary's communities succeed. She aims to elevate university students through her role as the Co-President of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Students Association. Victory demonstrates leadership in her work and volunteering, including tutoring, program planning and facilitating, and mentoring Black youth and children in Calgary. Her exceptional experience, motivation, and tenacity stem from her immigration story and being the first in her family to pursue law. 

Victory is honoured and inspired to receive this scholarship, as Violet King is an exceptional and motivating figure. With this award, Victory will continue her community and academic commitments.

Misgana Abraha

Misgana is a first-generation post-secondary student whose journey from war-torn Sudan to Canada exemplifies resilience and determination. Her unwavering passion for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion has been the driving force behind her academic and professional career. As a volunteer mentor with the Eritrean Canadian Community Association, Misgana mentored several Eritrean high school students who were newcomers to Canada.

During the pandemic, she provided valuable translation services in English, Arabic, and Tigrinya to non-English speaking Eritrean women seeking support from the Calgary Immigration Women's Association. Misgana recently received the prestigious PURE award and is currently halfway through a 16-week summer work studentship.

She is also currently working under the neurologist Dr. Morris Scantelbury in the field of pediatric epilepsy at the Heritage Medical Research Building. The research involves examining the underlying mechanisms of infantile spasms. With her tireless efforts and commitment to making a meaningful difference, she aspires to contribute to the growing body of knowledge and bring about tangible improvements in the lives of those living with infantile spasms.

Her commitment to promoting equity and inclusion has also led her to pursue academic research alongside Canada Research Chair Dr. Jennifer Adams, where she is working to reduce barriers for Black students pursuing careers in STEM-related fields. Misgana aspires to become a teacher following graduation from UCalgary.

Pelumi Adeosun

Pelumi Adeosun is a Law & Society Co-op student at the University of Calgary. She has a passion for advocacy and inclusion for Black immigrants and women, refined through internships, research, and service projects throughout her undergraduate career. Alongside her strong academic record exists an active involvement in student leadership.

At UCalgary, Pelumi actively cultivates an environment of belonging on campus through her extra-curricular involvement. She acted as the Vice-President of the Nigerian Students’ Association this past academic year and has undertaken numerous peer mentorship roles as a student in the Scholars Academy Program.

Her campus and community involvement have earned her several prestigious awards, including the Government of Alberta’s Lois Hole Humanities & Social Sciences Scholarship in 2021 and the Laurence Decore Award for Student Leadership for two consecutive years.

This summer, she will work with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as an Avenue Undergraduate Legal Intern in their Calgary office. Looking towards the future, after graduating from law school, she intends to use her legal expertise to continue supporting underserved communities.

Senait Yohannes

Senait Berhane Yohannes is a born and raised Calgarian of Eritrean descent. She possesses an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Royal University and is entering her final year of law school. Before beginning her post-secondary studies, she spent many years working in remote oil and gas locations in Northern Alberta and British Columbia.  

As an Executive member of the UCalgary Black Law Students Association, first as VP of Administration and as the current Co-President, she leads a growing community of Black Law Students, bringing networking opportunities, mentorship, grants, and events to its members.  

Senait works for Calgary Transit and is also working a summer term at Stikeman Elliot LLP, where she has officially accepted an articling offer. She is a recipient of the Alberta Provincial Judges Association Chief Judge Gail Vickery Award. She is this year’s recipient of “The Foundation Scholarship” and the “Frances Hartogh Diversity Outreach Scholarship” from the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law. Senait will complete her Fall Law School Fall semester in Oslo, Norway.  

Tolu Adewole

Tolu Adewole possesses a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is a 4^th year Nursing student with a passion for social justice and working with underrepresented populations. Having lived in Canada and Nigeria highlighted, Tolu has become inspired to dismantle and influence change in healthcare systems that sustain health inequities.

As a Nursing Student, she has actively engaged in research activities related to nursing and healthcare. Tolu is currently participating in a research project that helps nurses to practice their skills in verbally de-escalating agitated patients. She is also working on a project to develop a guide and best practices in aiding nurses to find and feel veins in patients with different skin tones and colours.

Tolu’s goal is to positively impact the lives of others and contribute to equitable healthcare through research, innovation and advocacy. She is eager to lend her talent and knowledge in the future, working globally to change health outcomes and inequities through resourcing allocation, health programming and policy and working with governments to build comprehensive primary healthcare settings in areas lacking resources and infrastructure.