A trio of West Vancouver residents are joining the Order of B.C.
Olympian Charmaine Crooks, businesswoman Susannah Pierce and artist Martha Sturdy were among the 15 latest individuals being recognized by the provincial government for their outstanding contributions to B.C.
Charmaine Crooks
Crooks is being honoured for her trailblazing Olympic legacy, but also her advocacy for youth, equity and global sport, the province stated in a press release. The West Vancourite is Canada’s first female five-time Olympian in athletics and won silver in the relay 4x400 metre in the Los Angeles 1984 Games.
She has served as a member of the International Olympic Committee on the Athletes’ Commission, the Ethics Commission and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Organizing Committee, while also taking on volunteer leadership roles on boards like the Canadian Olympic Committee, Right To Play and Canada Soccer.
As a volunteer, she has sat on other boards outside of athletics such as the Black Opportunity Fund, the Canadian Olympic Foundation, Canucks Autism Network and Big Sisters BC.
“Recognized with the IOC Women and Sport Trophy and inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame, Charmaine continues to be a powerful voice for diversity, using her platform to uplift communities and inspire systemic change,” reads the press release.
Susannah Pierce
Pierce is being recognized for her leadership in business and advocating for women and Indigenous communities.
Pierce held the president and country chair title at Shell Canada from 2021 until this year and has been at the company for 16 years. During her time at Shell, she helped create “a greener future through renewable energy, carbon capture and nature-based solutions,” the release states.
The West Vancouver resident has also played a vital role in LNG Canada by prioritizing reconciliation with First Nations.
On top of her 30-year career, Pierce mentors young female immigrants and supports Indigenous youth through national education charity Indspire.
She also founded the Human Trafficking Prevention Network of BC with the goal of bringing the corporate world in B.C. and organizations to fight against human trafficking in the province while also working with the Native Women’s Association of Canada and BC Network of Child and Youth Advocacy Centres.
“A sought-after global speaker, Susannah uses her platform to inspire systemic change. Her work continues to shape a more inclusive, sustainable and socially responsible future,” her bio reads.
Martha Sturdy
Sturdy is a Canadian artist who has seen international success over her six-decade career for her large-scale sculptures made from resin, steel, brass, aluminum and salvaged cedar.
The West Van creative attended the Vancouver School of Art in 1978, now known as Emily Carr University of Art + Design.
She quickly gained global recognition for her wearable sculptures, which were featured in Vogue magazine and other publications and on major fashion runways around the globe.
Sturdy decided to stay in B.C. to mentor artists and support her community. Apart from her creative side, the West Van artist has served on boards like Whistler’s Audain Art Musuem and committees such as the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation.
Her work and dedication to the community has not gone unnoticed, as she’s received the honour of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, induction into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and an honorary doctorate from Emily Carr University.
Sturdy continues to create work, taking inspiration from the West Coast.
Recipients joining the Order of B.C. will be honoured at the Government House in Victoria through a ceremony on Sept. 16.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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