The Honourable Marion Boyd, Doctor of Laws

social justice advocate and political pioneer

Marion Boyd (BA ‘68) has distinguished herself as a passionate advocate for the rights of marginalized community members and a well-respected public service leader. Ms. Boyd began her career at York University, where she worked as an assistant to the president for five years. A committed supporter of women’s causes, she was the longtime executive director of the London Battered Women’s Advocacy Clinic (now the London Abused Women’s Centre) and president of the London Status of Women Action Group.

Her values of inclusivity, gender equality and access to justice extended to her political career in the Ontario Government. First elected in 1990 as MMP of London Centre for the NDP, she held several cabinet appointments, serving as minister of education, minister of community and social services and minister responsible for women’s issues. In 1993 she was the first woman and non-lawyer to be appointed as attorney general.

Since her time in politics, Ms. Boyd has remained active in both legal and policy spheres. She led a taskforce on the effects of domestic violence on women, and investigated the use of sharia law in Ontario family law arbitrations. Currently, she is a partner at Boyd/Dunlop-Addley and Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm. Ms. Boyd received her bachelor of arts from York’s Glendon College. She also holds an honorary doctorate of laws from the Law Society of Upper Canada, where she serves as an Appointed Lay Bencher.