The WGSI is delighted to announce that incoming WGSI Collaborative student Magdalee Brunache has been awarded the Kay Armatage Graduate Women and Gender Studies Entrance Prize for the 2024-2025 academic year.
This award is to support an exceptional graduate student entering the Collaborative Specialization in Women and Gender studies and is named in honour of Professor Kay Armatage.
Growing up in Haiti, Magdalee Brunache developed a profound interest in exploring development-related issues and a passion for understanding the complex historical, social, and political dynamics that shape our global society. This intellectual curiosity led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in Agribusiness at the National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, where she graduated with outstanding academic achievements. Her pursuit of knowledge continued as she earned a Master’s degree in Rural Development from Ghent University, Belgium, as an Erasmus+ scholar, graduating with Summa Cum Laude. Her thesis, “The (de-)politicized motivations of food charity volunteers in Ghent and perspectives for the right to food,” nominated for the prestigious Future Proef Award, showcased her dedication to inclusive development and food security.
Currently, Magdalee is pursuing a PhD in Political Science at the University of Toronto, with a focus on development studies and a collaborative specialization at the Women and Gender Studies Institute. She has received the Recognition of Excellence Award for Indigenous and Black Students from the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Kay Armatage Graduate Women and Gender Studies Entrance Prize. Her academic focus lies in comparative politics, migration studies, transnational migration and diaspora, social movements, and feminist activism. Her PhD research centers on exploring the competing development narratives within Haiti and its diaspora, specifically examining how these narratives reflect ongoing contestations over social reproduction.
Magdalee’s career has been marked by significant achievements and contributions. She serves as the Founder and Executive Director of RÈG, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in Haiti and tackling critical social issues like period poverty. Through RÈG, Magdalee has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a passion for community development, fundraising, mentoring, and public awareness initiatives. Moreover, her involvement with organizations like Act4Change, APROFH/Soutien Haiti, and the Hyster-x writers’ collective further illustrates her dedication to social change and creative expression.
A multilingual scholar, writer, poet, and activist, Magdalee embodies a unique blend of academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to social justice and community development. Her journey reflects a profound dedication to learning, creating, and an unwavering desire to contribute positively to society. As she continues her PhD research, Magdalee remains focused on making a lasting impact on communities worldwide through her expertise in development studies, gender studies, and political science as well as through her creative work.