Dr. Gladys Bean, a pioneer in the development of women’s athletics, was inducted posthumously in 1997, as a "Builder", to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame.
Dr. Mable Gladys Bean, was born in Montreal on June 17, 1918. She graduated in 1940 from McGill with a bachelor of arts degree with honours in French. She earned a diploma in physical education in 1941. Two years later, she was appointed instructor in physical education at McGill. From 1960 to 1965 she developed and directed the aquatics program at McGill's Royal Victoria College.
In 1966 she became an assistant professor and the director of women's athletics, physical education & recreation.
In 1970 she was elected to the conseil d'administration of the Confederation de Sport de Quebec. During McGill's 1971-72 funding crisis, Bean developed a fundraising project and a volunteer coaching program that allowed the women's teams to stay afloat. She took over the administration & operation of the University's Weston Pool in 1972.
When the men's and women's athletics programs merged in 1976 she was appointed assistant director of athletics with responsibility to implement fundraising programs and oversee all McGill club teams. She was also a CIAU delegate and a representative to the CIAU's women's athletics committee.
In 1978, Dr. Bean was a recipient of the R.Tait McKenzie Award, the highest recognition bestowed by the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education & Recreation. She won this award for her leadership in policy and standards in national, provincial and intercollegiate sports programs.
In 1983, she received the CIAU's Austin-Matthews Award, for outstanding contribution to the development of inter-university sport in Canada.
Dr. Bean passed away in Montreal on Dec. 18, 1986. In 1991, the McGill department of athletics instituted the Gladys Bean Award, presented annually to the McGill female athlete who has brought most credit to the University by reason of her athletic accomplishments.
