The Emily Stowe Society

Emily Stowe

In 1865, a young woman named Emily Stowe was flatly denied admission to the University of Toronto’s School of Medicine because she was a woman. At that moment, Emily made a commitment to fight for the right of Canadian women to receive a medical education.

After receiving her medical degree in the United States, she returned home and fiercely advocated to open an institution dedicated to medical training for women.

In 1883, Dr. Stowe’s long-held vision became a reality with the opening of Woman’s Medical College, the predecessor to Women’s College Hospital – the first place in Canada where women could study medicine, and where women in the community could receive care from female physicians.

Dr. Emily Stowe’s grit and determination paved the way for the countless women leaders in the field of medicine who followed after her, and her legacy continues to inform our hospital’s values today.

Building on WCH founder Emily Stowe’s legacy of grit and determination!

The Opportunities Fund

The Opportunities Fund is a general pool of funding that will address the greatest needs of the Academic Research and Education program at Women’s College Hospital. It will provide support on an ongoing, as-needed basis to researchers at all levels who are undertaking research positions with Women’s College Research Institute or to program needs overall.

To donate to the Opportunities Fund, click here!

• Awards are expendable

The Summer Student Program Fund

The Emily Stowe Scholar Program summer program provides learning opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students.

High school students in grades 11 and 12 participate in a six-week program that is a partnership between Women’s College Hospital and Sick Kids. Students move between programming at both sites
and virtually. Programming is designed to be highly engaging and relevant for students who have an interest in health sciences.

Undergraduate and Graduate students participate in the Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) for 12-16 weeks. The SSRP places undergraduate, graduate or health professional program students with faculty within Academics at Women’s College Hospital.

All participants in the Summer Program experience integration of Indigenous multigenerational programming (e.g., tour of UofT Medicine Gardens, play opportunities, etc.), social events (e.g., lunches, trivia session, etc.), networking opportunities and are exposed to mentorship within Women’s from our diverse range of researchers, Elders and fellow learners.

To donate to the Summer Student Program Fund, click here!

• Awards are expendable

Mid-Career and Senior Scientists Fund – Supporting Emily Stowe Scholar Program Mentors and Leadership

Our mid-career and senior scientists work within the Women’s College Research Institute (WCRI), which is a multidisciplinary research institute based at Women’s College Hospital. Women’s College Hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is a member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network.

WCRI is one of only a few hospital-based research institutes worldwide to focus on health equity. Our scientists, all of who have academic appointments at the University of Toronto, conduct research that improves the health of women, helps people prevent and manage complex chronic conditions, and delivers innovative health system solutions.

Our scientists are expanding and exporting knowledge about health conditions that have unique implications for women and others throughout their lives – like arthritis, depression, diabetes and heart disease. They are investigating the complexities of these conditions – because rarely does one person experience only one disease or take only one medication. They are exploring the social, political and economic forces that influence health and access to healthcare. They are working to reinvent healthcare for women and pursue equity for all.

The vision for research at Women’s is to lead innovative, high impact health research that changes practice, changes policy, and changes lives.

For inquiries to support mid-career and senior scientists at Women’s College Hospital please contact:

Megan Skyvington, CFRE
Director, Philanthropy
Megan.skyvington@wchospital.ca

Celebrating your generosity

Members of The Emily Stowe Society are recognized and celebrated for their generosity and impact on the future of health research in Canada. As a member, you can expect:

• Recognition as a member of The Emily Stowe Society on Women’s College Hospital Foundation’s online donor listings and on the digital donor wall in located on the main floor of Women’s College Hospital.
• Receipt of a special pin representing your commitment to Canada’s future health research leaders that you can wear with pride (for donations over $1,000).
• Invitation to an annual event with learners, scientists, and researchers of the Emily Stowe Scholar Program.

The Emily Stowe Society supports the Emily Stowe Scholar Program at Women’s College Hospital which has a collective mission to engage, retain and advance researchers at every stage of their careers. Click here to learn more about the Emily Stowe Scholar Program.