The Suzy Hamilton Legacy Fund honours the work of one self-identified woman environmental activist in the West Kootenay each year through a cash award. The Legacy Fund was established at the Osprey Community Foundation in 2016 after the death of well-loved and dedicated West Kootenay environmental activist and journalist Suzy Hamilton, founder of the West Kootenay EcoSociety, (now known as Neighbours United.)
Sustainable Kootenays is proud to be the award issuing organization in partnership with Osprey Foundation and the Suzy Hamilton Legacy Fund selection committee, composed of Suzy’s friends and family.
The award committee is now accepting nominations for 2023. Entries should include the name and contact information of the nominee, as well as a short paragraph about the work they do for the environment. They welcome the re-submission of nominees from previous years. Please send nominations to the Fund’s award committee at mclboyd@gmail.com before May 31st.
The committee selected Jessica Ogden as the 2022 recipient of the fund, for her continued activism in protecting our water, land, and forests. The committee also posthumously honoured award nominee Glada McIntyre, with the extension of the award meant to recognize the enduring dedication of a female-identified champion of the environment.
As the cash value of the Suzy Hamilton Legacy Fund endowment grows, the award amount increases. The award committee encourages donations so that Suzy’s legacy continues to grow. Please check out the Osprey Community Foundation to make a donation, so that we can continue to honour women environmental activists in a financially meaningful way.