2017 Distinguished Alumnae Announcement
Little Flower Academy is very pleased to announce two recipients of the 2017 Distinguished Alumnae award. We wish to acknowledge and congratulate Patricia (Grossmith) Cladis ’55 and Emily Ohler ’93 as this year's inductees. Patricia has had an extraordinary career as a leading physicist: a true pioneer for women in science. An accommplished laywer, Emily served the Security Council of the United Nations for many years before returning to British Columbia, where she has used her experience to work for gender equality and the defence of human rights.
Patricia (Grossmith) Cladis ’55 is one of the world’s leading physicists and a pioneer for women in science. Dr Patricia Cladis ‘55 completed her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Physics (UBC) in 1959 and her Masters in Physics (University of Toronto) in 1960. Researching superconductivity at the University of Rochester, Patricia completed her PhD in Physics in 1968. Having completed her PhD, Patricia moved to Paris, France to work with the Orsay Liquid Crystal Group, which was part of the University of Paris. The opportunity allowed her to specialize her research in the physics of liquid crystals before taking a position in 1972 as a research physicist at Bell Labs. Her accomplishments as a researcher, professor, and physicist have earned countless awards. Among them are the Guggenheim Fellowship and Fellow of the American Physical Society. Dr. Cladis was awarded Humboldt Foundation Research Prize recognizing her lifetime achievements. She was awarded the Kreeger Wolf Distinguished Professor, which recognizes women who have made major contributions to their fields. With over 130 publications, including a foundational text in the physics of liquid crystals, Patricia has influenced our lives with her work. A dedicated physicist, Patricia says, “Like art and love, [physics] is a universal language.”
Emily Ohler ‘93 has strived to improve the lives of others in her community, locally and globally. She is guided by thoughtful values that are universally relevant: to love and build your community you must love and build yourself; to grow and find perspective you must leave your comfort zone; and, more than simply talking, you must act on the challenges that face and stir you. Emily completed her BA (UBC) in 1997 and her JD at Osgoode Hall Law School (York University) in 2000. She practiced law in Vancouver until 2004, when she resigned and moved to Singapore to obtain her LL.M at the National University of Singapore. In 2005, Emily moved to Geneva to serve as Legal Advisor to an arm of the UN Security Council, implementing a precedent-setting post-conflict restoration program in the Middle East. She returned to Vancouver in 2012 with her family. Drawing on her experience and values, she founded a company, Broadleap, advising organizations on gender equality and human rights; and working with youth to empower them to shape their world the way they intend. In 2016, Emily was appointed to sit on the BC Human Rights Tribunal by BC’s Lieutenant Governor for a 3-year term.
Emily Ohler ‘93 has strived to improve the lives of others in her community, locally and globally. She is guided by thoughtful values that are universally relevant: to love and build your community you must love and build yourself; to grow and find perspective you must leave your comfort zone; and, more than simply talking, you must act on the challenges that face and stir you. Emily completed her BA (UBC) in 1997 and her JD at Osgoode Hall Law School (York University) in 2000. She practiced law in Vancouver until 2004, when she resigned and moved to Singapore to obtain her LL.M at the National University of Singapore. In 2005, Emily moved to Geneva to serve as Legal Advisor to an arm of the UN Security Council, implementing a precedent-setting post-conflict restoration program in the Middle East. She returned to Vancouver in 2012 with her family. Drawing on her experience and values, she founded a company, Broadleap, advising organizations on gender equality and human rights; and working with youth to empower them to shape their world the way they intend. In 2016, Emily was appointed to sit on the BC Human Rights Tribunal by BC’s Lieutenant Governor for a 3-year term.
School Information
4195 Alexandra Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6
Tel: 604-738-9016
Support LFA | Contact Us | School Calendar
Tel: 604-738-9016
Support LFA | Contact Us | School Calendar
