CM, BA, MA, LLD

Ruth Marion Bell is widely recognized for her instrumental role in the improvement of local, national, and international human communities and the status of women. She is a founding member of many women’s and educational organizations including the UNESCO Sub-commission on the Status of Women and the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund. Locally Ruth Bell has served as Past President of the University Women’s Club of Ottawa and President of the Ottawa Canadian Club. She has taught Political Science at Carleton University, St. Patrick’s College, and the University of Waterloo. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1981. Ruth Bell was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree given to her by Carleton University in 1984. In recognition of contributions to the City of Nepean, she was awarded a Nepean 2000 Millennium Medal. She was awarded a Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case in 2005, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2007 YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction awards, in recognition of her work to improve the place of women in society.

Ruth and Dick Bell were the first husband and wife to be awarded honorary degrees together by Carleton University, and jointly delivered the convocation address in 1984.