Volunteer spotlight

Frances Wright, BA’68, Hon. LLD’14


Frances Wright wanted to be a social worker. Instead, she became a stockbroker, a journalist, an entrepreneur and the co-founder of two charities — The Famous 5 Foundation (F5F) and the former Canadian Centre for Adult Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (cc4ms).  A Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence and a Member of the Order of Canada, she has served on 24 boards and says she appreciates and enjoys working with partners to achieve goals such as restoring gender-inclusiveness to our national anthem. Wright’s work is, in part, credited for recent revisions to O Canada; we now sing and pledge to Canada, “True patriot love, in all of us command,” instead of “in all thy sons command.”

Thanks to my volunteer experiences, I have learned much more than I would have otherwise and benefited from very fine friendships.

Frances Wright

BA’68, Hon. LLD’14


What inspires you to volunteer?

My wonderful parents raised us to be good citizens. This meant living honourable lives and contributing to the community as they had done. Since I’ve been volunteering, it’s become second nature and self-perpetuating, for which I am very grateful! Canada’s culture of volunteerism inspires me to volunteer.  As well, being an immigrant who came from South Africa as a child, I want to repay Canada for allowing me to be a Canadian.

Why does volunteering matter to you?

Living beyond oneself is very important and that’s what volunteering offers. Working with friends/colleagues to improve life for others, to achieve a goal or to move an issue forward are all things that are mainly possible because of the leadership and dedication of volunteer groups. These groups then persuade governments and corporations to also progress. Thanks to my volunteer experiences, I have learned much more than I would have otherwise and benefited from very fine friendships.

Do you have any advice for future volunteers? Before they sign up, what they should consider?

Volunteer and bring your best! Spend some time chatting with current volunteers in the organization and scrutinizing the organization’s vision, mission and financial statements. Understand what is expected of you and what you are promising to contribute. Then join with a joyful heart and do a little more than you promised you would do.

Do you have any special memories from your time as a student?

Being shy and the first person in my family to attend university, I didn’t feel worthy, even though I had been an honours student for years. Often, I did not attend my university classes nor read the assigned texts. Instead, I spent time in the library where the fabulous librarians helped educate me. They encouraged me to read articles and books about the subjects I was studying, plus related materials. Their professionalism and kindnesses enabled me to be current in the subjects and meet the expectations of my professors. Their generosity of spirit to accept non-textbook answers was then and is still much appreciated.

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