Eileen O'Connell Memorial Bursary

The Eileen O'Connell Memorial Bursary is awarded to a Halifax West High School student and to a J.L. Ilsley High School student who maintains a high academic standard and who make a significant contribution to their school's annual Model Parliament/Model United Nations.

Where it is necessary to choose between several qualified candidates, preference will be given to a student who lives within the boundaries of the Halifax Fairview provincial constituency that Eileen represented (click here for a street index) and/or to a female student.

The bursary was first awarded in June 2002. In June 2008 the award will be $400 for each school.

Eileen O'Connell was a teacher and politician who was committed to improving the education system and offering opportunities for young people.

Eileen was born in 1947 and grew up in Antigonish. After earning a degree from St. Francis Xavier University, she studied at Dalhousie and St. Mary's Universities, completing a degree in Education.

Eileen taught at Halifax West High School for 14 years, then moved to Cornwallis Junior High School. She was also a founding member of the Association for Media Literacy; a board member of the Planned Parenthood Metro Clinic; and a chair of the Halifax Association for Community Living's Flowers of Hope Campaign. She held local, provincial and federal positions with the New Democratic Party.

In 1996 Eileen was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature as the NDP MLA for Halifax Fairview, which covers part of the catchment area of both Halifax West and J.L. Ilsley High Schools. She was re-elected, each time by large margins, in 1998 and 1999.

After the 1998 election Eileen was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought bravely while continuing to serve her constituents. She died on September 27, 2000.

The Eileen O'Connell Memorial Bursary has been established by Graham Steele, Eileen's successor as MLA for Halifax Fairview. The prize is awarded to a student who maintains a high academic standing and makes a significant contribution to the annual Model Parliament. These themes — education and democratic government — were important in Eileen's life.