Shirley entered the University of Ottawa’s law school in the 1970s while still busy raising three children. After obtaining her LLB in 1976, she went on to create the first all-female law practice in Ottawa, and many of the most successful female lawyers in Ontario today began their careers in the law offices of Shirley Greenberg.
Long after retiring from the practice of law, she maintained her commitment to improving the lives of women. She helped found the Ottawa Women’s Centre, from which developed the Rape Crisis Centre, the Women’s Career Counselling Centre, and Interval House, a refuge for women affected by violence. She also endowed a chair for women in the legal profession at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, in addition to supporting other initiatives at her alma mater.
University of Ottawa President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Frémont praised Shirley Greenberg and her impact on the community.
“Shirley Greenberg was deeply committed to women’s rights, to social justice, and to Canada’s reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. She helped the University of Ottawa, generously supported our law school, and inspired leaders of all ages to undertake work to change our world for the better. It is a tremendous legacy we will continue to honour.”
Kristen Boon, who is the Susan & Perry Dellelce Dean of the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, added to this appreciation, noting Shirley’s impact on Canada’s future.
“Shirley Greenberg has been a tremendous supporter, benefactor, and friend to the Faculty of Law over the years. Our scholars confront the most pressing issues of the day, including social justice, women’s rights, and reconciliation, and Shirley Greenberg has been an amazing partner in these areas. The legacy she has created will continue for many years to come, and we are so grateful that Shirley considered us a trusted partner in this work. She will be sadly missed by so many of our faculty members, staff, and students.”
Shirley’s generous donations helped establish the Shirley E. Greenberg Centre for Women’s Health at the Riverside campus of the Ottawa Hospital. This centre, specializing in gynecology and cancer detection, has put particular emphasis on the well-being of older women.In 1999, the inaugural Shirley Greenberg Annual Lecture in Women’s Studies took place as part of the official launching of the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies at the University of Ottawa.
In 2003, Shirley Greenberg received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa, and in 2009, she was named a Member of the Order of Canada for her efforts to empower women.
LEAF, the Canadian organization that advocates for gender equality by focussing on litigation, law reform, and public education, called her “one of Canada’s best known and most generous philanthropists working on women’s equality issues.”
Shirley herself said she hoped that her community involvement and philanthropy would create what she called “little and big miracles, to inspire and to help those most in need to navigate obstacles.”
The University of Ottawa community send its deepest condolences to the entire Greenberg family.
May her memory be a blessing.