Our Community
Our Alumnae
Distinguished Old Girl Award
The Distinguished Old Girl Award (DOGA) is The Bishop Strachan School’s highest alumnae honour.
It recognizes alumnae who have made a meaningful impact through community service that improves the lives of others, professional achievement that advances their field, or leadership that inspires positive change. The accomplishments of Distinguished Old Girls reflect the values and qualities we strive to develop in every BSS student.
2026 Nominations
Our alumnae community, along with classmates, colleagues, friends and family members, can help ensure remarkable BSS graduates receive the recognition they deserve. Many are making an extraordinary difference, whether their contributions are widely known or quietly felt.
We are now accepting nominations until July 31, 2026. The winner will be announced in the fall.
Please see the nomination form for detailed criteria, and reach out to oldgirls@bss.on.ca with any questions.
Distinguished Old Girls 2002-2022
List of 18 items.
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Margaret DeROCHE Derry '64
Author, artist, and global scholarRead More
When cattle breeder Margaret Derry decided to get her PhD, she did not just complete her doctorate. She brought animal breeding into the field of history. -
Dominique HUSSEY '91
Driving excellence and equity in corporate lawRead More
Dominique HUSSEY ’91 is one of the country’s top intellectual property litigators, and was the first Black woman appointed managing partner at a Bay Street firm. -
Beth BEATTIE ’86
Read MoreAdvocating for change in mental health care
Beth Beattie, a senior counsel for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, is recognized for the incredible impact her mental health advocacy has had on society. -
Dr. Sarah KAWAGUCHI ’05
Read MoreProviding relief with grace, kindness and clinical precision
Dr. Sarah Kawaguchi, a palliative care doctor at the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital, is recognized for her important work in providing relief from symptoms and stresses of terminally ill patients. -
Cindy GARDINER Blakely ’68
An entrepreneurial spirit for social changeRead More
Cindy GARDINER Blakely ’8 is the founder, past chair and current board member of New Circles Community Services, a non-profit social services agency that supports residents of Toronto’s most vulnerable neighbourhoods. -
Claire JEPHCOTT McDerment ’56
Advocate and leader for children’s wellnessRead MoreClaire JEPHCOTT McDerment ’56, a health professional and stress management consultant, served The Psychology Foundation of Canada for more than 20 years as a trustee and committee chair. -
Laryssa PATTEN ’93
Engineering change from the ground upRead MoreAs an aerospace engineer, Laryssa shot for the stars and clearly reached them. Her passion and expertise have advanced the work of the Canadian Space Agency, the International Space Station, the European Space Agency and NATO. -
Phyllis MANNING Creighton ’47
Read MoreA voice for global change and social justicePhyllis MANNING Creighton ’47 is a passionate advocate for mental and reproductive health care, social justice, peace and the environment. -
Andrea THOMAS Hill ’86
Read MoreOne woman’s vision moves millionsAndrea THOMAS Hill ’86 is driven by a strong sense of philanthropy and community service. In 1992, she founded Run for the Cure in Canada and, suddenly, families, friends and communities were running together for someone they loved. -
Anne INNIS Dagg ’51
For the love of animalsRead MoreAnne INNIS Dagg ’51, PhD, is a renowned author, scholar, animal rights advocate and wildlife photographer. Her childhood love of animals inspired her to become a zoologist, and at age 23, she went alone to Africa to do pioneering research on giraffes. -
Joan GALLIE McDonald ’62
Archery’s gold medal coachRead MoreWorld-class athlete and renowned Olympic archery coach Joan GALLIE McDonald ’62 blazed a trail for women in sport, and has made a profound contribution to the lives of young athletes who aspire to the Olympic dream. -
Valerie WHITTINGHAM Pringle ’71
Broadcaster, adventurer and philanthropistRead MoreValerie WHITTINGHAM Pringle ’71, C.M., is a distinguished voice in Canadian broadcasting. She began her career as a journalist in radio in the 1970s and with her move to television, became a household name in Canada. -
Margaret WENTE ’68
Canada’s contrarianRead MoreA writer, editor and one of Canada’s leading columnists, Margaret WENTE ’68 has blazed a trail for women in journalism and continues to enlighten the country with her thought-provoking writing. -
Joan WHITTEN Miller ’76
Pioneering cures for blindnessRead MoreDr. Joan WHITTEN Miller ’76 is an internationally recognized expert in macular degeneration, a progressive disease that can cause blindness and is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 50. -
Victoria MATTHEWS ’72
Blazing a trail for women in the ChurchRead MoreBishop Victoria MATTHEWS ’72 has broken new ground for women in the Anglican Church since becoming the first Canadian female Bishop in 1994. -
Jalynn ROGERS Bennett ’62
Shattering glass ceilings across CanadaRead MoreJalyn ROGERS Bennett ’62, C.M. was one of the most influential businesswomen in Canada and a tireless volunteer for her community. -
Margot ANDREW Anderson ’79
Instilling hope in the lives of HIV+ childrenRead MoreIn 1993, Margot ANDREW Anderson ’79 pioneered a camp program for children with HIV/AIDS at a time when the disease was largely misunderstood and greatly feared in society. -
Mary Louise DICKSON ’58
Champion for the rights of the disabledRead MoreMary Louise DICKSON ’58, O.ONT., Q.C., a partner in the law firm Dickson MacGregor Appell LLP, is an author, educator, activist and highly respected expert in the field of estate law. After contracting polio at the age of seven, Mary Louise spent much of her childhood at a rehabilitation facility.
