Portrait of the Brandon Bobcats women's basketball team. L to R: Terry Diakow (Manager), Mary Field, Betty Ann Scott, Karen Anderson, Allison Parkhurst, Cheryl Loeppky, Naomi Marumoto, Nancy Edgerton, Nancy Stanley (Coach)
Portrait of the Brandon Bobcats women's basketball team. Front Row (L to R): Mary Field, Joanne Dixon, Brenda Reader, Margie McGhee, Debbie Lawrence, Donna Lawrence. Back Row (L to R): Nancy Stanley (Coach), Dauna Cutforth, Helen Hastings, Allison Parkhurst, Carol Dreilick, Colleen Durnin , Mike Spack (Assistant Coach). Missing: Dona Garson
Mrs. Flora Cowan (1902-1986) was born on July 15, 1902 in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was the daughter of Adam and Helen Cruickshank and immigrated to Brandon with her parents in 1927. She married E.C. Cowan, and they had two children, Franklin and Ruth. From 1953 until Brandon College became Brandon University, she served as the Dean of Women. In 1966 she received the Good Citizenship Award of the Golden Boys of Manitoba. She was a member of the I.O.D.E. and a life-member of the International Peace Garden, and the Provincial Council of Women. From 1954 to 1970 Mrs. Cowan served as a member of the Brandon City Council and was the first woman to be appointed acting mayor. She was also the Chairman of the Board for Fairview Home, Inc. In 1967, Mrs. Cowan received the Trillium Business and Professional Club Woman of the Year Award. She was also a member of several other community committees. The women's residence at Brandon University, Flora Cowan, is named in her honour. In December 1980, Mrs. Cowan finally retired from her many positions. She died in Brandon on September 25, 1986 at the age of 84.