BURNABY – Activist Judy Graves is the recipient of 2016 the Thakore Charitable Foundation’s Visiting Scholar Award, which coincides with The Institute for the Humanities and the J.S. Woodsworth Chair in the Humanities at Simon Fraser University’s annual celebration of Gandhi Jayanti.
Graves is being honoured for her dedicated work as a tireless advocate for Vancouver’s homeless and educator on the need for ending homelessness. As one of the world’s most recognizable figures of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The worst form of violence is poverty.”
In a city more recently known for its skyrocketing house prices and wealth, Judy Graves has had a focus on those who could not afford a house. She has approached her work in a deeply personal way, walking the streets of Vancouver in all kinds of weather and at all hours of the night, reaching out to people living on the streets and listening to their stories, while helping them navigate the delicate process of rebuilding their lives.
In this way, Judy is an example of someone who has showed us how to walk in Gandhi’s footsteps in today’s world.
Mahatma Gandhi and his legacy have been honoured at Simon Fraser University since the unveiling of his memorial bust in the Simon Fraser Peace Square in 1970. Each year the Gandhi Jayanti celebration brings members of the local Indo-Canadian community together with others who wish to salute his memory and honour his ideals. Along with its local focus, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated nationally and internationally.
The celebration will be in the form of two separate events (both events are free and open to the public): The Garlanding Ceremony will be held on October 2nd, 2016 at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi located in the Peace Square on the SFU Burnaby campus (south side level 3 of the Academic Quadrangle) from 6:45pm – 7:30pm.
The Gandhi Commemorative Lecture and presentation of the and the annual Gandhi Student Peace Award on October 3rd, from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at the SFU Harbour-side (downtown) campus (515 West Hastings.
Registration is required and link is provided on the Gandhi website – www.gandhijayanti.com.
