by Barry Marks

Marilyn has worked diligently since 2001 when she set up a group called The Alberta Grandparents Association , which is an advocacy and research group for grandparents who are denied access to their grandchildren for a variety of reasons . She later created a website for the Association ( albertagrandparents . ca ) so that grandparents could access research information , petitions and contact information . Marilyn has met with various Alberta government officials at a variety of levels , and has consulted with government committees and caucuses . She has had petitions presented and tabled in the Alberta Legislature in order to raise awareness of the problems grandparents have in the hope of helping to bring about changes in legislation . Marilyn has advocated for her cause on TV and radio , had articles published in newsletters , newspapers and magazines , and has spoken to numerous organizations . She regularly addresses concerns from grandparents . For all of these reasons Marilyn ’ s award is well-deserved .

Within Marilyn ’ s family , grandchild-grandparent access denial is prevalent , so she decided to try to influence the government to change legislation that puts the whole onus on grandparents to show why they should have a relationship with their grandchildren when such access is denied . Research and advocacy in this area has become her passion over the past twelve years .

For further , more in-depth information about grandparent access denial , and Marilyn ’ s work , please see her article in the fall , 2012 issue of News & Views magazine . Marilyn ’ s article is entitled : “ A Special Relationship : Grandparents and Grandchildren .”

12 News & Views Spring 2013