Despite growing up and later raising my own family in Montreal, my attachment to McGill began after I was already well established in my career. In 1970, I entered the master’s degree program in Developmental Drama founded and implemented by Dr. John Ripley. I had always wanted to study for a master’s in theatre arts, but no such program existed in Montreal universities. When I learned about Dr. Ripley’s new program, I decided to meet with him for an interview. Initially, I was not sure that the program was what I wanted, but Dr. Ripley was both passionate and persuasive.
In any case, he stated he would only accept three students into the program; I felt certain I would not be one of them. I was not a typical applicant, after all: I had been out of university for close to two decades, having children, directing theatre productions at what was then the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal, and performing my one-woman show at local theatres and for community groups for nearly a decade. When the letter of acceptance arrived in the mail, I was taken by surprise. The other two students, need I say, were much younger.
In the end, the program suited me ideally. I was able to combine my theatre production background with the improvisational skills I learned in the program. That combination of techniques enhanced my expertise in my later teaching and directing projects, notably as Artistic Director of the Saidye Bronfman Centre Theatre and, some years after receiving my degree, when Dr. Ripley hired me to teach in McGill’s Drama Program, part of the English Department, where I taught for close to 10 years. Being in academia inspired me to study for a doctorate in theatre which I obtained in 1994 at Concordia University.
Wanting to maintain my relationship with McGill after the Drama Program was abolished, I signed up to join the McGill Centre for Research and Teaching on Women (MCRTW) Board of Directors, where I volunteered for 14 years until the MCRTW became the Institute for Gender, Sexuality and Feminism (IGSF). Meanwhile I had been honoured with the establishment of the Muriel Gold Senior Visiting Scholar Fund in recognition of my tenure as Chair of the Friends committee, 1998-2008. Our Person of the Year events honoured such notables as Senator Sheila Finestone, Lawyer Louise Arbour, High Commissioner for Human Rights, Margaret Atwood, renowned writer, Greta Chambers, first female chancellor at McGill, and Debbie Travis, entrepreneur. When distinguished visiting scholars come to McGill, I look forward to meeting with them to discuss their often fascinating and worthy projects.
In addition to the Muriel Gold Visiting Scholar Fund, in 2007 I became a member of the Order of Canada. The BPW (Business and Professional Women) named me the 2110 Woman of Achievement. In May 2022, the McGill Alumni Association presented me with the Distinguished Service Award.