In the last ten years, McGill University has seen an inspiring trend – more and more of the bequests it receives are made by women. These thoughtful, generous, and personal gifts are part of a broader movement among women who are committed to building a better future on and off campus.
Over the past decade, there have been about as many men as women who have left legacy gifts to the University. However, while bequests to McGill ranged from $500 to $11 million, most of the dollars came from the estates of women. The gap widened after 2020, with women providing about two-thirds of the total amount received in bequest despite making up under half of all donors. “What makes this trend especially remarkable is its reach across every corner of the McGill community,” says Cynthia Gordon, Estate Administration Officer at McGill. “Women from all walks of life are giving back – long-serving faculty and staff, alumnae of every generation, and even friends of the University who never studied here but feel deeply connected to McGill’s mission.” She adds that while the women come from different backgrounds, they all want their gifts to make a lasting impact.
These women choose to give for many reasons. Some are drawn to McGill’s enviable reputation, world-class education, and high global ranking. Others wanted to attend McGill but never had the financial means to do so and want to create opportunities for the next generation of students. Many donors are longtime employees, such as professors, librarians, and staff, who want to give back to the workplace that shaped the course of their careers or where they saw the direct impact of philanthropy.
The women’s legacy gifts go to various causes, from scholarships to cutting-edge research. They’re also made in memory of loved ones or to maintain a meaningful familial connection to McGill.
Mary H. Brown, MA’33, is a prime example of the power of legacy giving. Having worked in mental health, Brown recognized the importance of students’ well-being. She left her legacy gift as a bequest in her will, stipulating that the funds go towards students’ medical and mental health care. Brown passed away in 1996, but her legacy lives on through her namesake fund, which supports special mental health projects and creating student health care facilities.
Joyce H. Newton, BA’58, not only graduated from McGill – she also worked in alumni records in University Advancement, retiring in 1996. She passed away in 2021 and split her estate into two bequests – one for McGill’s Department of Geography, and another for Concordia University. These gifts show Newton’s appreciation for her alma mater, longtime workplace, and higher education in general.
Finally, Dr. Geeta Ishwar Gupta was a trailblazing family physician who came to Montreal from India in the 1970s. She taught in the Department of Family Medicine at McGill, the Montreal General Hospital’s Family Medicine Centre, and the St. Mary’s Hospital Family Medicine Centre. She was a valued supervisor and mentor for countless family medicine residents over the years and advocated for patients in underserved communities and vulnerable situations. After her death in 2024, the Dr. Geeta Ishwar Gupta Resilience Prize was established in her memory. The award is given to one or more graduating medical residents in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. It’s awarded by the Department of Family Medicine to residents who, in the face of systemic barriers to education, have demonstrated resilience, academic excellence, and a continued commitment to their studies.
Women’s financial influence continues to grow through career advancement, longer life expectancy and increasing stewardship of family wealth. Driven by deep values of solidarity, women donors are redefining philanthropy purposely and intently. “Their bequests to McGill signal not just generosity,” says Gordon, “but [also] confidence in the University’s ability to transform their values into meaningful, lasting action.”
These bequests will strengthen McGill’s impact for decades to come. They support student success, contribute to teaching and research, and help sustain the University as a space where ideas, curiosity, and innovation thrive. Above all, they reflect the impact McGill continues to have on the lives of so many remarkable women.
Women from all walks of life are giving back – long-serving faculty and staff, alumnae of every generation, and even friends of the University who never studied here but feel deeply connected to McGill’s mission.” – Cynthia Gordon, Estate Administration Officer