August 30, Wednesday.--AT THE QUEEN/SAULTER LIBRARY.-
This afternoon, Miguelita and I attended the naming of a street ( located at the back of the Queen/Saulter Library ) after a venerable lady who in the past have helped so many women in Toronto. Her name is June Callwood. If you GOOGLE her name, you will see so many entries about her achievements especially in helping homeless and abused women.
She is a fearless writer, a journalist, a feminist advocating the rights of women in this bustling city.And in a big city, only heaven knows how some people, especially women and children suffer so much abuse and injustice. At one time some years ago, she worked with Cornelia Soberano an Asinganian who was then a lawyer in Toronto. Already in her 80's, her voice is still resonant, her wit still sharp and one could never tire hearing her speak about the things she care the most. She came with her husband whom she married about 60 years ago, her children, her grandchildren and a sibling who is using a wheel chair.
She could have talked for several hours and nobody would move under the blistering heat of the afternoon sun.."If I do not stop talking," she said, " my children would miss a plane for Scotland this afternoon.." She talked about being in a community of caring and loving people. She had been part of the Community around Queen/Saulter so she practically know the people that lived, moved or stayed in the area..She even talk of Jilly's an establishment at the corner of Queen and Broadview. "This is a strip club..The working girls here are social workers of a certain kind, fulfilling the certain needs of men in this area.." Everyone chuckled, including the Toronto City Mayor David Miller who came to honor this ocassion...
After her speech, the street sign was uncovered. Then she was presented with a painting as a gift.. All guests were invited for a cake cutting on the 2nd floor of the Ralph Thornton Center (RTC). The Queen/Saulter library is found in the first floor of this building.--#
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