The Catholic Women’s League Chair for Catholic Studies (CWL Chair) at St. Mary’s University now stands at over $2 million – the largest ever in the school’s history, and the first endowed chair of its kind in Western Canada. This $2 million once felt like an impossible dream. However, one woman, Marie Cameron, played a pivotal role in mobilizing the community to make this historic achievement a reality. On National Philanthropy Day, we celebrate community galvanizers like Marie and organizations like the CWL as a reminder of the power we each possess to make a difference.
The CWL Chair for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s is a permanent position established to encourage the advancement of Catholic education through teaching excellence and research. When the idea of creating a Catholic studies chair at what was formerly St. Mary’s College was first proposed, the goal was set at $1 million. Marie recalls the hesitancy surrounding such an ambitious sum:
“When I stood up at the CWL’s convention in the early 2000’s and declared the ambitious goal of $1 million dollars, I received this loud gasp from the 300 women present in the room, and I thought to myself, ‘What have I just done?’”
However, Cameron and the CWL were undeterred. As a lawyer by trade, she applied the same tenacity to this project that she brought to her legal work. Cameron credits key women who rallied parishes and community members to support the cause, including Joan Baudais, Agnes Bedard, Florence Bernakevitch, and Betty Lodermeier.
The CWL Chair for Catholic Studies is a tribute of dedication and service. Money was raised through parish bake sales, bazaars, auctions, donations, and countless other methods. Cameron highlighted how many CWL members rallied tirelessly behind this goal, to show future generations of women that they can achieve their ambitious goals with perseverance and grit. Cameron’s hope is that students can be powerfully impacted by the CWL Chair and “be inspired by the Holy Spirit and cooperate.”
Today, the CWL Chair is held by Dr. Peter Baltutis, who is an Associate Professor of History and Religious Studies and also holds the Chair of Humanities. The CWL annual lecture, held in September, featured Dr. Brett Salkeld, and drew in a crowd of eager, aspiring educators. Dr. Salkeld’s lecture is one of many on-going efforts to continually foster the advancement of Catholic education through St. Mary’s.
We would like to thank the CWL, and women like Marie Cameron, for their continued persistence in being champions of noble causes that make a difference in the world we live in today.