At first glance, the success of Yusra Siddiquee, BA’91, seems inevitable. Admitted to McGill at 16, she majored in political science, went on to law school, and is now a partner at the Littler law firm in Toronto.
It was during her time at McGill, however, that she developed as a leader. “It was where I first had the strength to speak up and share my views,” says Siddiquee. “I don’t think I could’ve done that anywhere else.”
Right from the start, Siddiquee “threw myself into the whole McGill experience.” She participated in campus political movements, joined half a dozen cultural student associations, and founded the Muslim Cultural Network, taking on a leadership role as club president.
Two of her political science instructors, Professor Emeritus Baldev Raj Nayar and Professor Rex Brynen, inspired her to further expand her horizons.
“Professor Nayar and I engaged in incredible political discussions throughout my four years, and in my final year he insisted that I take his second-year master’s class. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but I’m thankful that he pushed me to do something so challenging.” She’s still in touch with Professor Brynen, whom she considers “the best teacher I ever had. I feel I owe both [professors] so much in how I’ve developed as a lawyer.”
Siddiquee continued to blaze her own trail when she entered law school at UBC: told that the university did not have an immigration law clinic, she founded one. Doing so was a culmination of the passions she’d explored at McGill: working alongside diverse cultural communities, defending political causes, and engaging in community activism. “Lo and behold, I became an immigration lawyer.”
With over 20 years’ experience in immigration law, Siddiquee remains a passionate supporter of the liberal arts education she earned at McGill. “I had the opportunity to open my mind, question things, learn for the sake of learning – and I did it among the best professors in the world.”
With the aim of giving back “to those who’ve shaped your life the most,” Siddiquee will leave a legacy gift to McGill. Half will be designated to the Department of Political Science and courses dedicated to underrepresented groups, while the other half will support infrastructure costs.
“Basically, I trust McGill, and whatever they feel is best would make me really happy. McGill gave me the confidence to pursue my passions, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.”
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