The most enduring impact is not always loud; it lives in the momentum of a life well-lived, measured by the minds opened, the opportunities extended, and the light passed on to others. The Fulbright Canada – Maria Birks Family Foundation Award in Education embodies this spirit, honouring the transformative power of academic inquiry and global understanding. Created in honour of Maria Birks, a passionate philanthropist, advocate for education, the arts, and community service, the award celebrates her legacy and the lasting value of investing in people and meaningful dialogue.
The Fulbright Canada - Maria Birks Family Foundation Award recognizes Sarah Aaron, a recent graduate of McGill University with first-class honours. A dual major in History and Political Science, Sarah reflects the depth and potential of an education that bridges past and present, theory and practice. Her next chapter takes her to Georgetown University, where she will pursue a master’s degree in international relations, specializing in diplomatic service. With experience working in Members’ Offices, interning at the U.S. Consulate in Montréal, and being featured in McGill University publications, Sarah is driven to serve through the Canadian Foreign Service.
Blending intellectual curiosity with meaningful action, Sarah’s journey echoes the values that shaped Maria Birks’ lasting impact. Born into a traditional Latin American family, Maria forged her course in higher education and went on to light the way for others who believed in the power of knowledge exchange. Maria ranked seventh out of 1,200 applicants to the Catholic University of Lima and went on to earn a master’s degree in philosophy. Fluent in Spanish, English, and French, Maria was vital to Montréal’s cultural and philanthropic life, serving in leadership roles at I Musici di Montréal, Opéra de Montréal, and the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts Ball, among many others. Though she was not known for seeking the spotlight, she is remembered for elevating those around her.
“Maria was extremely shy and didn’t like the light,” recalls her husband, Jonathan Birks. “But the light liked her. She was drawn to meaningful conversation, never small talk. She believed deeply in education as a lifelong pursuit.” Her legacy lives on not only in the causes she championed, but also in those who have been—and will be—empowered through the award that bears her name.
The Birks Family Foundation, established nearly 65 years ago by a family of Montréal businesspeople, is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that education and health are the cornerstones of a thriving society. Today, the Foundation supports causes across Canada in education, healthcare, the arts, and environmental stewardship. Its investment in Fulbright Canada reflects a commitment to building bridges between bright people and ideas across borders.
For Jonathan Birks, President of the Birks Family Foundation and a longtime champion of education and community, supporting Fulbright Canada was a natural and meaningful extension of the Foundation’s mission. “We’re all enriched when we open ourselves to dialogue across disciplines and borders,” he reflects. “Maria believed in the kind of learning that illuminates, sparks real conversation and lasting impact.” In honouring her legacy, the award doesn’t just recognize excellence, it helps others carry forward the light she so generously shared.
McGill University, home to Sarah’s undergraduate studies and the plaque honouring Maria’s legacy outside the Students’ Common Room in the Birks Building, has hosted over 165 Fulbrighters since 1993. Alongside institutions like Université Laval, Concordia University, and Université de Montréal, Québec’s academic landscape continues to cultivate the kind of intellectual exchange and cross-border collaboration that lie at the heart of Fulbright’s mission. It is in this environment—one that is rich in academic excellence and openness to the world—that the program continues to flourish.
In championing Sarah Aaron and future recipients of the Maria Birks Award, the Birks Family Foundation and Fulbright Canada are commemorating a life purposefully lived and planting seeds for the kind of world Maria Birks envisioned: one where education, when supported with care and conviction, becomes a force multiplier for diplomacy, discovery, and the common good.
As Sarah prepares for her exchange, she does so with a profound sense of purpose, carrying forward not only her own aspirations but also the hopes of those who, like Maria Birks, believe that learning across borders expands knowledge and understanding, reveals the richness of shared perspectives, and better equips us to face the challenges of tomorrow—together.