Barbara Godin is a graduate of Athabasca University. She writes the “”Dear Barb” and the “Women of Interest” columns. As well, Barb has written many personal interest stories and enjoys connecting with others through her writing. She has been writing for The Voice since 2003.
If you enjoy reading Dear Barb, you can also purchase her curated collection, Dear Barb: Answers to Everyday Questions at her website, http://www.barbgodin.com.
Dear Barb: I have been home from university for the summer and I can’t wait to get out of here. My mother is driving me nuts, I didn’t realize how annoying she was until I was away and then came back. We fought and argued for most of the summer. She is so self absorbed!… Read more »
Mary Louise Bollert was born in Guelph Ontario in 1984 and passed away August 1, 1945, in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was appointed the First Dean of Women at the University of British Columbia in 1922, where she remained until her retirement in 1941. Bollert was the founder of the British Columbia Teacher’s Federation and… Read more »
Dear Barb: I work in an office with three other women. We have worked together for many years and get along okay for the most part, except that one girl doesn’t pull her weight. She spends a lot of time talking and distracting us from our work. Also if customers or maintenance people come into… Read more »
Alice Wilson, (August 26, 1881-April 15, 1964) was the first female geologist and paleontologist in Canada. She also became the first female Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1937 and was a member of the Order of the British Empire. During her life Alice Wilson struggled against health issues, along with the struggle… Read more »
Dear Barb: I am a parent of a daughter entering university this year. Someone told me about your column, so I thought I’d write in. My daughter will be attending university full time and taking Athabasca courses as well. She has been out of school for two years and feels a need to catch up… Read more »
Condoleezza Rice was born November 14, 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the first female African-American Secretary of State and the second African-American Secretary of State following Colin Powell. Rice was the first female National Security Advisor and served during President Bush’s first term in office from January 20, 2001 – January 26, 2005. As… Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi, I am in my early twenties and have been out of school for a few years. I have a two-year-old who I am supporting on my own. It’s been hard making ends meet financially, so I am considering applying to university or college to further my education. The problem is I will… Read more »
Carrie Matilda Derick, was born January 14, 1862, and died November 10, 1941. In 1912 she became the first woman professor at a university in Canada. She was a botanist and geneticist, who founded the Genetics Department at McGill University in Montreal. In 1896 Derick received her M.A. in Botany and went on to complete… Read more »
Dear Barb: I was away for my first year of university and I recently returned home for the summer. When I got home it seemed everything had changed and it doesn’t feel like home anymore. In fact I just want to go back to school! I tried to talk to my mom about how I… Read more »
Grace MacInnis was born July 25, 1905, and passed away July 10, 1991. She was a Canadian politician and feminist, and the first women elected to the British Columbia House of Commons. MacInnis was the daughter of J.S. Woodsworth, who was the leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, and she was the wife of MP… Read more »