Congratulations to Yolande Edwards for receiving the Lincoln Alexander ’53 Award
Published: February 26, 2016
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On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Yolande Edwards, LAO’s manager at the Scarborough Criminal Duty Counsel Office, was presented with the Honourable Lincoln Alexander ’53 Award from the Black Law Students’ Association at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.
“Working at LAO has given me an opportunity to do what I love: helping and advocating for others,” Yolande says. “Receiving this award tells me that I have much more work to do.”
The Lincoln Alexander ’53 Award is named in honour of the pioneering efforts of the late Lincoln Alexander, who graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1953. Lincoln was the first black Member of Parliament and the first Black Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Throughout his life, Alexander was a champion of equity and a trailblazer who broke through colour barriers that had previously hindered the advancement and success of Black Canadians.
Kyle Elliot, President of the Black Law Students’ Association, says, “The Honourable Lincoln Alexander left behind an incredible legacy for which many of us can only be thankful for…In consideration of the career Yolande Edwards has had and her willingness to put herself in positions to be able to assist others, we felt that she was more than deserving of the honour.”
Each year, the Black Law Students’ Association awards the Lincoln Alexander ’53 Award at an annual ceremony to a professional in the community who embodies the values of leadership, professional excellence and a commitment to public service in honour of Lincoln Alexander’s legacy.
Tom Kelsey, Director General of Toronto North District, says, “Yolande has dedicated her career to supporting unrepresented, and often vulnerable, people move their way through a complex criminal justice system. On behalf of LAO, I am so pleased to see Yolande’s work being recognized.”
LAO is proud of Yolande’s contributions and extends its sincerest congratulations.