Dr. Zelda Abramson Award

An annual award given to a fourth-year honours sociology student who is selected by sociology faculty, as demonstrating characteristics central to Dr Abramson's academic and personal philosophy. This includes actively contributing to the Acadia community, the Wolfville community, and the broader sociology community through advocacy and/or academics. In particular, contributing in the areas of feminism, women and gender studies, applied research, and/or archival research.

Dr. Zelda Abramson is a brilliant academic, a passionate advocate, and an unwaveringly generous mentor. Zelda profoundly impacted the lives of students, staff, and faculty during her Acadia tenure where she served as an associate professor and head of the Department of Sociology

Zelda is an accomplished academic and a public sociologist. She fought tirelessly to make Wolfville a safer, more inclusive community. Zelda's academic interests include feminism, health, women and gender studies, applied qualitative and quantitative research, and archival research. One of Zelda's most outstanding works is her book, MONTREAL SHTETL: Making Home after the Holocaust, written with her partner John Lynch. This book details the less than glamorous realities of the survivors of the Holocaust who settled in Montreal, a topic dear to Zelda as this is how she and her family arrived in Canada.

Zelda cared deeply about her students. She generously opened her office and home and was always available to give feedback or teach how to make fresh challah bread and hummus. Zelda's unwavering support shaped a generation of academics and advocates. Through this award, Zelda will be able to continue to support generations of Acadia students wherever life takes her. The profound impact Zelda had on the lives of the staff, students and faculty of Acadia can never be reflected by any award, but her contribution to Acadia will forever be cherished and celebrated.