As a McGill student in the 1960s, Katherine Smalley, BA’67, spent countless hours tucked away in the Libraries’ dim corridors, studying late into the night on hard chairs. Those quiet spaces became the foundation for a life of curiosity, courage, and impact. Today, Katherine is ensuring that future students have an even brighter experience by leaving a legacy gift to support the McGill Libraries for generations to come.
“If you’re giving a legacy gift, you want it to endure,” Katherine says. “It’s not just about the continuity of the Library itself, but the preservation of knowledge, information, and the freedom of thought.”
Her McGill education – an honours degree in political science and philosophy – shaped her worldview and fueled a remarkable 25-year career in journalism. Katherine reported from war zones in Lebanon, covered dictatorships in Latin America, and explored social justice issues across the globe. Her work was deeply influenced by McGill professors Charles Taylor and Raymond Klibansky, whose teachings on political philosophy and human rights became the foundation of her reporting.
“One could say my degree was impractical,” she reflects, “but I’ve used it every day of my life.”
After transitioning into corporate finance, Katherine founded Allied Capital Corporation in Toronto. Today, she remains a passionate McGill volunteer, serving on the Toronto Faculty Advisory Board and the Friends of the Libraries. And now, as a Planned Giving Ambassador, Katherine is helping others discover the power of legacy giving.
Through McGill’s Leave a Legacy, Unlock a Future challenge, donors who declare their legacy gift immediately unlock $3,000 in bursary support for students in financial need. Katherine calls it “very rewarding,” adding: “I’ve met McGill grads around the world, and I have yet to meet one who doesn’t have some sort of dedication or interest in the University.”
Katherine’s story is a testament to the enduring impact of a McGill education and the transformative power of giving back. Her legacy gift not only supports the Libraries, but also inspires others, especially women, to make their mark on McGill’s third century.
Declare your legacy gift today and help unlock bursary support for students who need it most. Your gift will shape lives – and futures – for generations to come.