Claudia Wright

Claudia Wright has been instrumental in the creation of two critically important new programs at The University of Winnipeg – the Aboriginal Governance program and the Urban and Inner-City Studies program.

At her retirement in July 2007, Wright was Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies, having served the University for more than 38 years. With the same dedication, Wright has served the wider community, most notably in her commitment to human rights and multiculturalism.

From 1984 to 1988, Wright served as Chairperson of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, and was instrumental in introducing a new human rights code for Manitoba. She also co-chaired the provincial Manitoba Task Force on Multiculturalism, was Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies and served on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Race Relations for the City of Winnipeg. In each of these roles she brought credit and distinction to The University of Winnipeg and was honoured with numerous awards including: The Clarence Atchison Award for Community Service (1985); the National Black Coalition of Canada Distinguished Service Award for Political Action and Education in the Community (1983-84); the YWCA Woman of the Year Award for Public Affairs (1985).

Before joining the senior executive team at The University of Winnipeg, Wright was the Dean of Social Science and an active member of the Faculty Association.