Maria Knapik

Soprano, promoter of Polish arts and culture

Born in Krakow, Poland; lives in Ottawa.

Began her graduate studies at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Vocal and Acting Arts in Poland, specializing in music and acting; graduated from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada and studied at the Britten-Pears School of Advanced Musical Studies in Aldeburgh(England), under full scholarship.

Is the youngest of the "Eight Knapik Sisters", who performed more than 4,000 concerts during numerous European tours; debuted on stage as a singer and dancer at the age of three.

Frequently appears as soloist with major orchestras and in many demanding roles with opera companies throughout Europe and North America; hailed by the New York Times as "the magnetic center of attention" and "the clear star of the show".

Has received numerous awards in Canada and all over the world. In 2011, the American Institute of Polish Culture awarded her the Gold Medal of Honour for her ongoing national and international efforts to promote Polish arts and culture, notably in the discipline of opera.

www.mariaknapik.com

“Singing to Her Own Tune”, by June Coxon in Ottawa Family Living Magazine,  pp. 18-22, spring 2012.

Elizabeth Ann Kinsella

Founder of the Youville Centre (Ottawa)

Sister Betty Ann Kinsella was the driving force behind the creation of the Youville Centre in 1985, the first program in Canada to address the comprehensive needs for education, child care, housing and support services for young, single mothers and their children.

Sister Betty Ann, as she is known, was named to the Order of Ontario in 2011.

http://www.youvillecentre.org

http://news.ontario.ca

Betty Kennedy

Broadcaster, journalist, author, retired Senator

Born and raised in Ottawa; born in 1926.

As a teenager in the 1940s, honed her journalistic skills as a reporter for the Ottawa Citizen newspaper.

Appointed Public Affairs of CFRB, Canada’s largest radio station in Toronto where she stayed for 27 years. As host of the Betty Kennedy Show, she interviewed 25-thousand guests.

Brought a “feminine point of view” to CBC-TV's Front Page Challenge from 1962 to 1995; best known to most Canadians as a panelist on this show (the longest-running television program).

Appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1982.

Was the first woman chair-person of the School of Journalism at the University of Western Ontario.

First non-medical member of the Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Author of two books: Hurricane Hazel and Gerard.

Inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1991.

Appointed to the Senate in 2000.

www.broadcasting-history.ca/index3.html

Valerie Knowles

History instructor, archivist, writer

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. Moved to Ottawa in 1961.

Studied at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts (history), McGill University (M.A. History) and Carleton University (print journalism).

Author of 11 non-fiction works. Has written many books on historical figures and events related to Ottawa's history such as Making Waves: A History of the Riverside Hospital of Ottawa (1996) and Through the Chateau Door: A History of the Zonta Club of Ottawa, 1929-1989 (1994).

More recently, she has published Capital Lives Vol. II: Profiles of 32 Leading Ottawa Personalities (2010).

www.writersunion.ca
www.valerieknowles.com

Margaret M. Kehoe

Activist, politician, advocate
Winner of Y Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award, Ottawa 2011

Born in 1918. Known in Ottawa as "Toddy" and for being an inspiration to girls and women, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions.

One of the first women to graduate from the University of Ottawa in 1940.

Founded the Brighthope School for children with disabilities.

Worked with Marion Dewar in the 1960s and 1970s to move Ottawa towards progressive social change.

As alderman in Carleton Ward, was part of a project of conservation of the ByWard Market and Project 4000, which led to the establishment of Ottawa's Office of Equal Opportunity.

Her work led to the commissioning of the Capital's Terry Fox Monument.

Retired from politics in 1985.

The Wrap, The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ymcaywca.ca
http://ca.rss.news.yahoo.com

Josée Kurtz

Commanding Officer

Born in Joliette, Québec; studied in Ottawa.

Enlisted in the Navy in 1988.

Studied at the University of Ottawa where she obtained her B.A.; Masters in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College in Kingston.

First woman to command a major Canadian warship as of April 8, 2009; took control of the frigate HMCS Halifax which has a crew of 225.

www.canada.com
The Ottawa Citizen, April 8, 2009, A5

Elaine Keillor

Pianist, distinguished research professor

Lives and works in Ottawa.

Born in 1939 in London, Ontario.

Holds the record as the youngest recipient of the Associate (ARCT) degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) with all of the theory exams completed at the age of ten.

First woman to receive a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of Toronto.

Professor since 1977 at Carleton University, Ottawa, lecturing on Baroque, Classical periods, Canadian musics, ethnomusicology, keyboard performance and literature.

Inaugural recipient of the Canadian Women’s Mentor Award in the “Arts and Culture” category in 1999.

2004 Helmut Kallmann Award recipient for Distinguished Service relating to music libraries and archives, for outstanding contributions in documenting and improving access to resources in Canadian music.

Praised for her “impeccable pianism” and “musicality.”

www.carleton.ca
www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com

Alison Korn

Olympian (rowing), sportswriter

Born in Nepean (Ottawa), Ontario.

Two-time Olympic medallist in the eight (silver Atlanta 1996 & bronze Sydney 2000).

Two-time world rowing champion in the pair (1997 & 1998) with Emma Robinson.

Member of Canadian National Rowing Team from 1996 to 2000.

Graduated with a Master of Journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa.

Has worked for the Ottawa Citizen newspaper.

wwwfitspirit.ca