Elizabeth Venton-Parnell

Biography

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Venton-Parnell is a BA in Political Science (Honours) major who has been a part of the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) community since the fall of 2018. Lizzy has contributed immensely to making the WRC a safe and inclusive space for all to thrive, learn, unlearn, and relearn. She has made a significant impact on students’ lives at the University of Calgary and the WRC would not be what it is today without her resolute determination to achieve a more kind and just world.

Lizzy has been with the WRC in several capacities beginning with the Community Outreach and Peer Support Team to Co-operative Student and is now in a volunteer Team Leader role. Lizzy first learned about the WRC by participating in The Vagina Monologues which blended her love for theatre and discussing gendered issues/empowerment. Entering the WRC space was a friendly and welcoming experience that ultimately inspired Lizzy to volunteer, work on growing as a feminist, and tackle community issues. 

Lizzy’s notable learnings at the WRC have been gleaned from 2 workshops, Rejection Resiliency and Calling In, facilitated by sex educator, Karen BK Chan. Both offerings helped shift her mindset when faced with rejection while increasing personal awareness about her boundaries. Lizzy credits her learnings to helping her assess how to show up in important conversations effectively and authentically. Lizzy’s is a firm believer in giving everyone the opportunity to express their thoughts and lived experiences to help build equitable futures.

As Lizzy grew in her volunteer role so did her confidence and skills in providing peer support and coordinating engaging outreach activities for the campus community. Lizzy’s genuine concern for the wellbeing of others is at the core of everything she does, and her soft-spoken nature does not stop her from being an advocate. Her empathetic demeanor has made her an excellent peer supporter and mentor to both volunteers and visitors. 

Fellow peer helpers laud Lizzy’s profound ability to listen actively and compassionately. She is admired for her warm aura that makes everyone who talks with her feel at ease. Lizzy makes a commendable effort in integrating micro-affirmations into daily practice and always shows a genuine interest in everyone’s ideas and goals, be it major or mundane, and is constantly open to learning and receiving feedback. Lizzy is an admirable leader among her peers and has earned the respect and gratitude of those for and with whom she serves, making her this year’s recipient of the Sheila O’Brien Award for excellence in Leadership.