CUPE BC establishes Muriel Overgaard Endowment Fund to provide new bursary for SFU students

Established in 2020, the Muriel Overgaard Endowment Fund is generously provided by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) BC Division, and will provide bursaries to full-time SFU students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Muriel Overgaard, for whom the endowment is named, was born in 1920 in Saskatchewan. She was a champion for women’s rights in the labour movement, serving as the first female president of CUPE BC from 1976-1980. She also helped form CUPE BC’s Women’s Committee, the first of its kind for any BC union. Muriel worked tirelessly to promote gender equality in the workplace and was awarded Life Membership to CUPE BC in 2012. Following her passing in 2019 at the age of 100, the CUPE BC executive board created the endowment to honour the positive impact Muriel’s work has had on women both within CUPE and across the broader labour movement.

While all full-time students in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences may apply, priority will be given to those enrolled in Labour Studies or Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies. Students must be in good academic standing and be able to demonstrate financial need. To apply for a bursary, visit Student Services, Financial Aid and Awards.

CUPE BC is the largest union in British Columbia, representing more than 100,000 workers delivering important public services in nearly every community in the province.