Arquivo - Clara Lander fonds

Dr. Clara Lander (nee Shnay) was born 9 April 1916 is Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and died suddenly in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1978. She was the daughter of Jewish immigrants – Frederick Shnay (Libau, Latvia) and Fanny Rothberg (Kiev, Russia) who met and married in Saskatchewan. Clara Shnay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude at the University of Saskatchewan. She later moved to Winnipeg and married Dr. Jacob Joseph Lander of Winnipeg on 7 May 1939. They had three daughters.

Clara Lander pursued post-graduate education in Winnipeg, graduating with an MA in English and Ancient Greece in 1956 through the University of Manitoba. She later earned her PhD in English through the University of Manitoba in 1968.

From 1965-1966, in 1972 and 1974, Dr. Lander lectured for English during evening sessions at the University of Manitoba. She was the English lecturer at Balmoral Hall School for girls between 1967-1973, and from 1974 until her death, she was an English lecturer at St John’s Ravenscourt School. Dr. Lander also lectured in Art History for a number of years at the University of Manitoba.

During her career, Dr. Lander published numerous articles related to art, art history, classical history, Jewish art and history, and education. She also lectured outside the educational system and presented talks on radio shows. Dr. Lander was very active within the Jewish and Arts communities in Winnipeg: she was – First National Chairman of Hadassah Medical Services in Israel; originator and first President of the Jewish Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg; Education chairman of the National Council of Jewish Women; Public Relations Chairman of the Women’s Committee for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Public Relations Chairman of the Area Girl Guides; Chairman of the WAG’s Women’s Committee; member of the WAG Board of Governors where she served as Vice-President, as Membership Chairman, and Acquisitions Chairman, and eventually, the first Jewish female President from 1977 until her death in 1978.

Awards: 1978 YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction for her work in the Arts; City of Winnipeg Community Service Award;