Remembering Sylvia Piggott

Sylvia was a graduate of McGill University, earning both a BA in Cultural Anthropology and a Master of Library and Information Studies. She worked with the Bank of Montreal for 16 years as a Senior Manager of Research and Business Information Services.  Between 1998 and 2002, Sylvia held several senior positions with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund based in Washington, DC.

Sylvia’s many community involvements, both locally and internationally, included President of the Montreal Association of Black Business Persons and Professionals (MABBP), President of the International Special Libraries Association (Washington, DC), Standing Committee Member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.  She was also on the Board of the McGill University Alumnae Association.  She was a frequent invited speaker at conferences in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. She also initiated the Tool Box Series as a means of helping new McGill University Alumnae in their preparation for the workforce.  In recognition of her many community involvements, Sylvia received several awards – Distinguished Service Award of McGill Alumni Association (2019), John Cotton Dana Award in 2005 from the Special Libraries Association, Canadian Trust Fund Grant (2002 -2004), Freedom Forum Fellowship to South Africa (1999),

In the past few years, Sylvia’s focus has been the Black Academic Scholarship Fund. Under her leadership, the organization provided scholarships to university and CEGEP students.  In addition, she believed that mentorship to past alumni was an integral part of their development and integration into the workforce.  She was instrumental in forming collaborations with Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, Black Community Resource Centre and Repare Therapeutics.

As we are left to mourn Sylvia’s sudden departure, the BASF hopes to keep her legacy alive by continuing the work she so passionately pursued.  We endeavor to do our best so that her efforts will not be in vain.

Se we say: