Dianne Martin Medal for Social Justice Through Law

The Dianne Martin Medal will be presented at the 2010 Dean's Alumni Reception on May 12.

Dianne Martin Medal for Social Justice Through Law
‘Kick at the darkness ‘til it bleeds daylight…’ Bruce Cockburn

Dianne Martin (1945-2004) graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1976 and went on to become one of Canada’s first leading female criminal lawyers. She joined the faculty at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1989 where she co-founded the Innocence Project. She was a passionate advocate for justice and an inspirational teacher who had the courage to challenge the justice system to ensure equal treatment for all.

Dianne dedicated her career to defending the rights of women and the wrongfully convicted. She not only changed the lives of the individuals for whom she worked but was a tremendous influence on her students, members of the legal profession, and Canadian society as a whole.

This medal will be awarded to a member of the Canadian legal community who has exemplified Dianne’s commitment to law as an instrument for achieving social justice and fairness.

2009 Recipient - Eva Marszewski

Eva graduated from Osgoode in 1973 and for more than 30 years, Eva Marszewski has worked as a lawyer, consultant, teacher and trainer in conflict resolution and mediation.

She has made substantial contributions to the field of non-violent resolution of conflict, serving on the board of directors of SPIDR (Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution), and was one of the key adult advisors to the youth founders of YouCAN (Youth Organizing to Understand Conflict and Advocate Non-Violence) and as a founder of Peacebuilders International Inc. in 2002. Now its volunteer executive director, Eva has led pioneering work with peacemaking circles as a conflict resolution and decision making tool in highly diverse, urban communities.

Among her many accolades and awards, Eva received the Law Society Medal and the YMCA Peace Medallion in 2006, and the Crime Prevention Award from the Canadian Criminal Justice Association in 2007.

Eva has made many personal sacrifices and overcome numerous challenges in the journey to make a difference.

2008 Recipient - Roger Rowe

2007 Recipient - Terence L Hunter

2006 Recipient - Murray Klippenstein

2005 Recipient - Marlys Edwardh

Nomination Information:

• Letter of nomination outlining how the nominee meets the criteria of the medal
• Biography of the nominee (not to exceed 2 pages)
• Maximum of four letters of support
• Maximum of four pages of additional materials

Completed nomination submissions must be received by April 2, 2010. Please send your package to:

Office of Advancement
Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Association
York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3

Tel. 416-736-5638
Email: alumni@osgoode.yorku.ca

Deadline: April 2, 2010