Alexandra Dodger, a U of T alumna and activist, passed away in Ottawa on October 15 after being involved in a car accident.
Dodger was struck by an allegedly drunk driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road.
Her achievements were celebrated at a memorial on Wednesday, October 19 at Hart House, which brought together the many friends and colleagues Alex had treasured.
The memorial honoured Dodger’s many contributions to society in a way appreciated by U of T students, faculty, and community members. The funeral followed the next day.
A week before her death, Dodger was visiting her family in Etobicoke for Thanksgiving, where she was sharing the news and her excitement about her new job at Amnesty International.
“I was really, really happy, and yet the happiness is finished,” said Dodger’s grandmother, Cecile Wojciechowski, in an interview with The Ottawa Citizen.
She said Dodger was someone who had dreams of seeing the world.
Dodger, 27, was an active member of the UTSU at St. George and had recently graduated from the McGill University law school.
“The Faculty of Law is mourning the loss of Alexandra Dodger, a student whose commitment to social justice and human rights distinguished her both in her studies and her work,” McGill published in an online tribute.
Dodger was always involved in social justice activities. She worked for her student government, ran Model UN events, campaigned for NDP Member of Parliament Olivia Chow, and did legal internships in Israel, Palestine, France, and Belgium. At U of T, she played crucial roles in the Student Administrative Council’s membership in the Canadian Federation of Students and negotiating discounted TTC passes.
“She wanted to see the world, she wanted to see the poor people—how they are managing, what can be done,” said Wojciechowski.
She was known for her courage and outspoken personality. In an interview with The Toronto Star, Chow described Dodger as “very thoughtful, very passionate, smart, [and] principled”.
Dodger’s activism was evident as a member of the SAC (now known as UTSU), when she openly denounced members of the council as sexist. In an opinion piece Dodger wrote for The Varsity in 2004, she called out the prejudice of the male-dominated SAC.
Her family has asked for those who want to send their condolences, thoughts, and memories to do so via email at to.alexs.family@gmail.com. Those wishing to make a donation in Alex’s name should direct those donations to MADD or to Amnesty International.
