FOX Leader sets up Memorial Bursary to Recognize Previous Generations of Women
In honour of International Women’s Day and the contribution of previous generations of women, FOX GROUP Technology Leader, Roberta J. Fox has set up an education bursary for a deserving female student attending Medway High School to support a young woman’s interest in higher education in a career in Trades and/or Technology.
“My mother was a strong supporter in my entering the technology profession, but also encouraged me to use and leverage my rural experience as well as my artistic and creative abilities. She felt that the combination would provide me with a powerful advantage as a technology leader and entrepreneur”, according to FOX GROUP Technology Chairman and Chief Innovation Officer Roberta J. Fox.
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Bursary Criteria
The bursary celebrates the lifetime accomplishments of Eleanor Shoebottom as a farm entrepreneur, and her commitment to encouraging young women in the fields of non-traditional careers and occupations including:
Young woman who is proceeding to post-secondary education in electronics, civil or mechanical engineering, communications technology;
Also includes trades and apprenticeship programs in electrical, network, plumbing, automotive, HVAC and other non-traditional technology/trade oriented programs (excludes digital media/AV areas).
Preference to a student with financial need and rural based if possible.
History
Eleanor Jean Shoebottom lived and managed a family farm and roadside fruit and vegetable business in Ballymote Ontario. She was a trendsetter as the first female school bus driver in Canada. Eleanor lobbied Medway to enable her daughter to be the first female to take shop and building construction courses at Medway in 1971, (who subsequently won the shop award). She encouraged other girls to consider non-traditional careers with her mentoring and support throughout her life.
This bursary was established in 2017 by her daughter (Roberta Fox-Lawson) in Eleanor’s honour to encourage and support a young woman to consider a career in engineering technology and/or trades.
During Roberta’s 30+ technology career she installed, designed, and managed complex technology environments for some of the leading world companies and clients. She formed her first consulting company in 2000 which provides technology advisory services in health care, NG911, networking and contact center areas.
Roberta owns, operates and supports three different technology ventures, as well as provides senior leadership guidance in numerous industry and professional associations as a Director to advance Canada’s technology innovation as a knowledge economy.
Roberta can be contacted at Roberta.Fox@foxgroup.ca or+1.289.648.1981.
