Ferne Downey has been named ACTRA National Woman of the Year for 2023.

The annual award is given to an Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) member to recognize their contributions to the audiovisual industry.

Downey has been recognized for her eight-year tenure as ACTRA National president from 2009 to 2017. She served four two-year terms in the role, and was president of the International Federation of Actors from 2012 to 2021. Downey is currently chair of the ACTRA Fraternal Benefit Society’s board of governors.

In addition to her work in the union, Downey has been a stage and screen actor for the last 40 years, and received an honorary doctor of laws from Halifax’s Dalhousie University.

“As a union leader, a performer and an activist, Downey has been an inspiration and role model,” said current ACTRA National president Eleanor Noble in a statement, noting Downey’s leadership role in “chairing industry-wide round tables on sexual harassment and institutional change” during her tenure. “Downey raised the bar for women in our screen industry and she has been a tremendous force of change in the labour movement.”

“Our union was built by many brilliant activists over the past 80 years,” said Downey in a statement on the award. “It is one of the greatest joys of my life to play a part in our dynamic evolution as a progressive union. I am touched to have my contribution honoured.”

Previous recipients include Juanita Peters (2022), Andrea Menard (2021) and Sarah Polley (2020).

Photo courtesy of ACTRA