KINGSTON, Ont. (March 12, 2025) – Queen's Women's Hockey captain Charlotte Melindy has been named the recipient of the OUA Champion of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award, as announced by the conference on Wednesday.

The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within university athletics.
Melindy's leadership both on and off the ice has been instrumental in promoting EDI initiatives.

The fifth-year defenceman has been a driving force behind EDI initiatives at Queen's. As the founder of the Queer and Gender-Diverse Student Athletes Association (QGDSAA), Melindy created a space for LGBTQ2S+ student-athletes to connect and find support. 

"Charlotte's career at Queen's has been nothing short of inspiring. Through every challenge, injury, and setback in their life Charlotte has continued to lead with resilience and heart" said Queen's Head Coach Morgan McHaffie. "Their ability to overcome adversity has not only shaped their own journey but has also brought our team closer together."

The Whitby, Ont. native was also selected for Hockey Canada's Creating Coaches program, mentoring a U18AA community team while pursuing coaching certifications.

"Since the day Charlotte stepped into our program, a consistent effort has been made to ensure everyone feels valued and empowered. The impact goes well beyond the game," McHaffie added. "Charlotte is a teammate who lifts others up, pushes us to be better, and embodies what it means to be a true leader."