A University of New Brunswick professor recognized for her contributions to women's rights won a national honour on Wednesday, becoming the 13th woman from the province to receive the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case.

English professor Wendy Robbins co-founded the women's studies program at UNB in 1986 and was honoured for her work at a ceremony Wednesday in Ottawa with Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean.

"It was magical. It was absolutely magical," said Robbins.

"Michaëlle Jean herself is an activist and a very passionate spokesperson for human rights, and she gave a wonderful address and welcomed us all very warmly and suggested that we keep in touch with her and she with us, which was very gratifying indeed."

Robbins, who is well-known in the UNB community, was one of seven female professors who successfully challenged the way Canada Research Chairs are awarded in 2003, when they argued the process discriminated against women and minorities.

The Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case is awarded annually at Rideau Hall on Oct. 17, the eve of Persons Day.

It was on Oct. 18, 1929, when Canada's "famous five" — Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Nellie McClung — fought and won the right to be recognized as "persons" eligible to sit in the Senate.

Robbins, who is from Fredericton, was ecstatic to receive the national honour, but she said there was still a lot of work to be done to advance the accomplishments that have already been made, particularly in the political arena.

"I was asked if I could imagine a better country, where would I start? And I said I would start with Parliament," Robbins said. "I would develop a system where women and men had to be represented equally in Parliament, even if that means twinning ridings and requiring, you know, these double ridings to always produce two candidates — one male and one female."

Five other women were presented with this year's national persons award. They were:

• Dr. Mildred L. Burns of Montreal.
• Élaine Hémond of Quebec City.
• Shari Graydon of Kingston, Ont.
• Muriel Smith of Winnipeg.
• Viviana Astudillo-Clavijo of Toronto.