We are saddened by the passing of Shirley Greenberg. She leaves behind a legacy that will be fondly remembered and celebrated for future generations.
In the 1970’s, Shirley helped set up the Ottawa Women’s Centre, from which evolved the Women’s Career Counselling Centre, the Rape Crisis Centre, and Interval House (a refuge for abused women and children).
Passionate about issues affecting women, Shirley entered law school as a mature student and opened the first all-women law firm in Ottawa in 1978. A trailblazer by nature, she advocated equality for women in the law and in all aspects of society, and was a long-time grassroots activist and generous supporter of women’s health.
In 2010, The Royal was proud to name our women’s resource centre in her honour.
When asked to reflect upon Shirley’s support and impact, Ann-Marie O’Brien, the former lead of Women’s Mental Health at The Royal, describes it as “absolutely foundational.”
Shirley Greenberg’s generosity has had an impact that is far-reaching and impossible to measure. Her support of The Royal and the Women’s Mental Health Program speaks volumes to her belief that women can overcome the challenges of mental illness if they receive the right support, specialized care, and guidance that meets their needs.
“We would not have opened our Women’s Resource Centre, were it not for her vision,” says O’Brien.
“Her gift allowed us to provide a safe, physical space for recovery – and that's really what happens in the Women's Resource Centre – it's not a clinical treatment program, it’s a mechanism for recovery, the importance of which cannot be underestimated.”
Shirley’s support of the resource centre created a wave of change, one that inspired broader conversations and challenged people to reflect on the status quo as it pertained to women’s mental health.
“Shirley made the world a better place,” says O’Brien. “She had, in my estimation, great integrity, great energy, and remained compassionate and engaged. She was a lovely, lovely person.”
O’Brien’s recalls Shirley attending a women's mental health conference at The Royal with Maureen McTeer in 2019. The conference was about gender diversity.
“That concept was pretty new and modern for a lot of people, and getting a lot of attention,” recalls O’Brien. “Shirley was the kind of person who would show up to educate herself, to talk, to listen, to learn. She was a curious person, who would get the information that she needed to form an opinion. I admired her for that.”
We thank you, Shirley Greenberg, for the impact you made. Your compassion and generosity has allowed us to support so many people in so many different ways, and we will continue to do so in your name for many years to come.