Peggy Nash appointed distinguished visiting professor

Peggy Nash, former federal member of parliament for the Parkdale-High Park riding in Toronto, has been appointed distinguished visiting professor. She will join the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Community Services preparing and delivering seminars, workshops and panel discussions on women and leadership, participating in university events such as International Women’s Day and will promote the work of the two faculties through professional networks and media.

Nash was first elected to Parliament in 2006 and was re-elected in 2011. In 2006 and 2015, she was voted best MP in Toronto by the readers of NOW Magazine, Toronto’s independent weekly. Nash was an NDP leadership candidate in 2011-12, and from 2009-2011, she worked with the late Jack Layton as NDP federal president resulting in the most successful election for the party. Her experience in politics also includes serving as the official opposition critic for finance and industry as well as a public works critic. She is frequently invited as a media commentator to discuss political and economic issues, democratic development and gender equality.

“I am pleased to welcome Peggy Nash to Ryerson’s academic community,” said Michael Benarroch, provost and vice-president, academic. “Like Ryerson, Peggy is deeply connected to the city, and together we can advance the changemaker spirit across campus through a number of impactful student engagement opportunities.”

As a former senior union negotiator for a wide variety of industries and companies, Nash is the first woman in North America from the union side to lead negotiations with a major auto company. She is a long-time member of CAW/Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union, serving as a local activist, educator, leader, negotiator and staff representative. From 1990-2006, Nash was elected to the federal executive of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), comprised of 2.2 million members. As chair of the CLC Women’s Committee, she has also led campaigns to end gender violence, create a national child care system and promote greater electoral representation of women.

“Peggy’s extensive experience in politics, labour relations and advocacy will provide great insight for many of our students in the Faculty of Arts,” said Pamela Sugiman, dean of arts. “Next spring, we look forward to organizing a conference about women and leadership with Peggy, which will be open to all students.”

A democratic advocate, Nash is the co-founder of Equal Voice (external link) , a multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women. She is an international speaker on labour, the economy, human rights and gender equality, and a board member for a number of community groups and agencies including Invest Toronto, the Metro Toronto Action Committee to End Violence Against Women and the United Way of Toronto Campaign Cabinet in 2005, 2009 and 2010.

“The Faculty of Community Services is committed to equity, social justice, and transforming communities. This mission aligns with Peggy’s past and present advocacy initiatives,” said Lisa Barnoff, dean. “We look forward to working with Peggy as a distinguished visiting professor and to the various initiatives she will undertake as part of this new role.

Nash was awarded the YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2009, which recognizes women who are creating new opportunities and strengthening the voices of women and girls in our community. Some of her accomplishments in this area include the creation of the Rosie McGroarty Scholarship for women who have experienced gender violence and want to return to school, and providing campaign support for solidarity with First Nations women, ending violence against women, and LGBTQ rights. Alongside several community organizations, she has also defended and advocated for refugees, affordable housing, food security, rail safety and climate change.