Congratulations to our alumni, Sarah Onyango ’83 and Elizabeth Heatherington ’63, for their recognition by Volunteer Ottawa at the 2023 Volunteer Awards.
Sarah Onyango, Class of 1983, studied translation at the University of Ottawa and the Université de France-Comté following her graduation from Elmwood. Since moving back to Ottawa in 1992, she became an outstanding community builder and media personality recognized for her extensive volunteer work and leadership, especially in Ottawa’s African and Caribbean communities. Her work has also been recognized by the United Way of Ottawa, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the Ontario Black History Society, and the Governor General of Canada. In 2018, she was named one of the 100 most accomplished black women in Canada. She is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Volunteer Ottawa.
Elizabeth Heatherington, Class of 1963, is the recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Spirit. Elizabeth has donated much of her free time to helping others and community building, working with organizations that help Ottawa’s most vulnerable populations. For years, she has worked with new Canadians to learn English at the English Language Tutoring for the Ottawa Community (ELTOC), as well as volunteering at the Church Refugee Committee as a part of her position at St Bartholomew’s Church. Through St. Bartholomew’s, she has also raised funds and worked with vulnerable women at the Cornerstone Shelter for Women. Additionally, she has been an integral part of fundraising for many organizations across the city, including the Laurentian IODE, the Ottawa Mission, and Wounded Veterans Canada. She currently serves on the boards for Elmwood School, ELTOC, and the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre, among many more.
Congratulations again to Sarah and Elizabeth on their impressive accomplishments!