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OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 1, 2009 · 18 One of the top grassroots activists in Canada Continued from page 1 anniversary of The Persons Case and to honour the promotion of equality for girls and women in Canada. In 1929, five Canadian women -- Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Nellie McClung, known as the Famous Five ­ fought and won the right for women to be recognized as persons, and to sit in the Senate. "Our government is pleased to recognize the achievements of these distinguished women, who have so enriched our national life with their contributions," said the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women). "The legacy of the Famous Five endures through the work of these women. By dedicating their lives to bringing about true and lasting change, they have benefitted women, their families and their communities across Canada, and strengthened Canadian society," said Guergis. Drawing attention to inequities, especially those affecting women and children, is a gift possessed by LeFrancois, a mother of three boys and a girl and a grandmother of five boys. Her ability to do something about it, successfully, led members of the Women of Halton Action Movement (WHAM) to nominate LeFrancois. "I believe you can change something. Things can be changed," said LeFrancois. To her credit are a string of women's shelters, centres, fundraising and lobby groups she had a hand in establishing and which have done just that -- effected change. "I never do anything by myself, I do it with others," said LeFrancois who travelled to Ottawa for today's ceremony with her husband of more than 40 years, Jim, family members and eight members of WHAM. "Bev is one of the best grassroots community activists for social justice, "Bev is one of the best grassroots community activists for social justice, especially for women and children, that we have in Canada." Carole Holmes especially for women and children, that we have in Canada," said Carole Holmes, a founding member of WHAM and oomama, the local grandmothers for grandmothers group in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. "I am indeed fortunate to have met Bev, to have volunteered with her on so many committees and organizations and to call her my friend," said Laurie Wierzbicki, oomama co-chair. "Women of Halton Action Movement -- WHAM nominated Bev for this award. Sherry Ardell, Helen Brown and myself put the application together on behalf of WHAM," said Linda Middaugh. Amongst the nomination material handed over to the Governor General were letters of commendation from Stephen Lewis, author Sally Armstrong, Halton's police chief and WHAM. LeFrancois has turned her vision and leadership to the benefit of women and children in Canada, and abroad, throughout her life. She was a teacher, school board trustee, author and executive director of the Sexual Assault and Victims Intervention Services (SAVIS), formerly the Halton Rape Crisis Centre. She has been instrumental in the start up of three women's centres, six current organizations pertaining to NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER AT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY : From left, Liz Watson, Linda Middaugh, Bev LeFrancois, Ruth Sheridan and Barbara Wood are members of Canadians in Support of Afghan Women (CSAW), a volunteer group committed to raising awareness and money to assist the women and children of Afghanistan in their struggle for human rights by helping them build a school in which girls will be educated. women's equality issues, numerous single-issue campaigns and several community initiatives. She has led the way in opening women's centres and sexual assault centres in British Columbia and Ontario. LeFrancois said she remembers being spurred to action upon hearing a talk in Port Coquitlam, B.C. about women being "battered and hurt." A believer in the Dalai Lama's tenet that many of the world's ills could be eliminated through human empathy, LeFrancois devised a plan. "A year later we opened a women's centre... it was nothing but a concession stand beside a swimming pool," laughed LeFrancois. At least it was. Sleeves were rolled up and women began whipping it into shape. LeFrancois said she recalls one woman was wearing her long, white wedding gloves to do insulation work. "I remember the woman saying, `I'm finally doing something useful with these gloves.' I never forgot that," said LeFrancois. Matrimonial property laws were at the heart of the Murdoch Case in Alberta when a woman, who'd worked side by side with her husband for two decades on their farm, received $200 a month upon separating. LeFrancois was among a group of women who helped the woman take the case to court. Upon moving to Oakville, LeFrancois took out an ad in the Beaver and hosted peace activist Kay Macpherson to speak. She believed the people attracted would be of like mind and indeed, they became the founding members of WHAM. Native women's rights, in particular, the ability of a Native woman to retain her Native status and pass it along to her children upon marrying a non-Native was at stake. Native men, who married nonNatives, retained their status, their new spouses even gained Native status. See Helping page 19 Thomson Waste Services 299 Servicing Oakville, Burlington & Hamilton for 29 years FALL CLEAN UP SPECIAL 00 Includes Taxes $ (Maximum 3 Metric Tons) FLAT RATE T THOMSON We drop the bin off, you fill it. We pick it up! 5% Call Why wait till Spring! Clean up Now! or if you must wait hold on to this ad for a discount in 2010! 905.681.8832 for details. 905-681-8832