The Andrea O'Reilly Matricentric Scholar Award

The Andrea O'Reilly Matricentric Scholar Award will be granted annually to two students: one participating in the Advancing Black Student Program and one participating in the Advancing Women Program, who identify as single parents and demonstrate financial need.

Dr. Andrea O'Reilly is not only an esteemed professor in York University's School of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies, she is an alum having earned her B.A., M.A., and PhD at York. She is internationally recognized as the founder of Motherhood Studies and its subfield Maternal Theory, and creator of Matricentric Feminism, a feminism for and about mothers, and Matricritics, a literary theory and practice for a reading of mother-focused texts. Dr. O'Reilly is founder/editor of the Journal of the Motherhood Initiative and publisher of Demeter Press. This award honours Dr. O'Reilly's extraordinary contribution to York University, the field of Motherhood Studies, as well as her empowerment of thousands of students, women, and mothers through her research, publications, and mentorship. The very fact this award was initiated and funded by one of her graduate students is a testament to Dr. O'Reilly's significant impact.

A hallmark of Dr. O'Reilly's work is the notion that "mothering" is a verb, not an identity. Matricentric Feminism regards "mothering as work that is important and valuable to society but emphasized that the essential task of mothering is not, and should not be, the sole responsibility and duty of mothers. As such, this award celebrates, honours, and supports all those who mother.

Donor, Tina Powell is a bestselling children’s author, a tireless advocate for women, and a published academic. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies at York University, under the Supervision of Dr. Andrea O'Reilly. Her research interests include Matricentric Feminism, birth mothers in the child welfare system, and motherhood as an intersectional identity. Tina is an Advancing YU alumni mentor in York University’s Advancing Women program. In addition, Tina writes a monthly column titled “The Thinking Parent” with Parents Canada. Her objective is to share with parents across Canada powerful and valuable maternal theory, research, and knowledge beyond the walls of academia. Tina currently supports York University’s Advancing YU Program, Shifra Homes – a maternity residence and shelter home for young, homeless, pregnant women – as well as Indspire, an organization that invests in the education of Indigenous students. It is in the spirit of gratitude and reciprocity that Tina conceived and now sponsors the Andrea O’Reilly Matricentric Scholar Award.

To apply, please complete your FAAS profile.