Architect of Change: Paving the Way for Women's Success
By: Courtney Buchanan
Rosanne Howes (BArch/80) never set out to be the only woman in the room—but she got used to it. Beginning her undergraduate studies at Carleton in 1975, Rosanne was one of ten female students in the architecture program. After five years of study, Rosanne was the sole woman in her graduating class.
After graduating from Carleton and later McGill, Rosanne had a fruitful career in a male-dominated field, and spent many years mentoring other women architects, determined to make the path easier for those who followed.
Meeting inspiring women throughout her education and career, Rosanne knew she wanted to give back. Now, she is channeling her passion and purpose into supporting women students—ensuring that they can learn, lead and leave their mark.
As a Carleton student, Rosanne describes her academic journey as both grueling and rewarding. “I found out what I was made of,” she says. After graduation, her career took her across Canada—living and working in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Always having a strong drive and passion for higher education, Rosanne also completed her master's degree while working in Montreal, QC. These experiences deepened her curiosity about the country’s diverse landscapes, histories, and people, ultimately inspiring her to return to Carleton to pursue further education in Canadian Studies.
During a work trip to Fort Frances, ON, Rosanne met an Indigenous woman with a master's degree in fine arts. With aspirations to aid in the requisition of Indigenous artifacts, the woman was also pursuing a law degree.
“I was so impressed with her goals and ambitions; she was so inspiring,” says Rosanne.
Following that encounter, Rosanne decided to leave a gift in her will to establish the Rosanne Howes Scholarship, to be awarded annually to an undergraduate Indigenous woman student in any field of study. She knew she wanted to give back—but she also understood the financial challenges that often come with pursuing post-secondary education. Through this scholarship, Rosanne hopes to ease that burden and open doors for Indigenous women to thrive in their academic journeys.
“It took a long time to reach financial and career success, but once I achieved that, that was the defining moment when I was inspired to give back,” she says. “I was in my 50s, and my family and friends joked that I would be paying off my student loans with my Canada Pension Plan.”
When asked about why she chose to leave a gift open to any academic area of study, Rosanne says she feels the passion behind a student’s academic journey is the most important aspect.
“I don’t believe it matters what you study – the more you study something that you’re interested in, the more you’ll enjoy it. What is important is the ability for us to learn how to formulate our own thoughts and ideas, to be creative and develop our own opinions,” she says.
Now retired, Rosanne remains deeply committed to supporting the next generation—especially Indigenous women students—so they can access the same opportunities that shaped her own life. Her journey from architecture student to mentor and advocate is rooted in a belief that education has the power to transform lives.
“Women in our society continue to experience gender biases, so I choose for a woman to be supported. Canadian universities need Indigenous voices, and their cultural contributions. We learn from Indigenous women.”
Want to learn more about arranging a gift by will to Carleton University or establishing a gift for an endowment? Head to the Yours for the Asking page to request information and see how you can make a difference.