Canada has a long and strong list of women in Canadian history
We champion the millions of women who selflessly offer their time and talents to our Country and its people.
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Starting with;
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One does not have to be famous to make a difference and our members make a difference in the day-to-day lives of people in their communities, in the North and across our nation. We have women who work tirelessly in shelters and food banks; offer their talents pro bono in their fields of expertise, be it legal advice, musical talents, sewing and knitting, preparing meals or caring for a friend or neighbours children when asked. These women are the true heroes of Canada, asking for nothing but giving what they can and the Members of IODE sit very high on the standard of the unsung and quiet Women of Canadian History.
Members from the IODE Maple Leaf Chapter in Goderich Sock it to Cancer.
Lesley Zolob, left, shares a laugh with Mary Ellen Jasper as they play with what they call happy socks that will be donated to children suffering from cancer.
Lesley was diagnosed with cancer in May, started the donation initiative "Sock it to Cancer" so children can have warm feet and a little cheer while receiving their cancer treatment at the local London hospital.
(Darryl Coote/The Goderich Signal Star)
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Covering the dining table in the home of Mary Ellen Jasper is a kaleidoscope of socks.
There were pairs stitched with cartoon characters and famous paintings. Some with fuzzy pompoms and others with elaborate patterns. Each pair was different, colourful and all were playful and warm. Lesley Zolob has dubbed the socks as “happy socks”, she is collecting them to help keep warm the feet of children diagnosed with cancer as they receive their treatment and to give them a little cheer during the process. Called “Sock it to Cancer,” Lesley started this donation drive with the help from the IODE Maple Leaf Chapter members to pay forward the same warmth and cheer she has received from her friends, family and community. “It started when I had my surgery,” Lesley said. “My feet are always cold and so I asked [my doctors] if I could wear my socks during surgery and my friends sent me these great big fluffy socks.” Lesley was diagnosed May 2016 with a rare and aggressive form of cancer and she goes to London every Wednesday to receive chemotherapy treatment. “When I was diagnosed my friends in Thunder Bay sent me some happy socks to wear during my treatment, which was fun. Someone sent out the word and I started getting socks from all over Canada and the States”. She has socks that came from Georgia, Florida, B.C and Thunder Bay. “What I’m going to do is take these [socks] all down and [the hospital] is going to package them all up and give a pair of socks to each child,” she said. “And if we need more I’m going to find more.” Lesley is a positive, cheerful woman who said she just wanted a way to help others the way she’s been helped. “That’s it,” she said. “Just keep the children's feet nice and warm and cozy and put happy faces on them.” Socking it to cancer, one pair at a time article by Darryl Coote from the Goderich Signal Star, Wednesday, October 19, 2016.
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Helen Brimmell, pioneering press gallery member, honoured in House of Commons
Helen Brimmell, who went by Helen Bannerman at the time, was a Canadian Press reporter and member of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery when this photo was taken in 1947.
On 01 June 2016, MP Geoff Regan Speaker of the House of Commons honoured 96 years old Helen Brimmell. Her biography was read aloud and all members stood and applauded her accomplishments. She then attended a tea in the Speaker’s private quarters.
"One of the earliest female members of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery was honoured Wednesday in the House of Commons for her years of work in the bureau. Helen Brimmell graduated from the University of Toronto in 1943 and worked for the Canadian Press under her maiden name of Helen Bannerman in Toronto for a few years before being assigned to Parliament Hill in 1946.
She was the third woman to officially join the gallery, which at that time only allowed men to attend its annual dinner. That fact was a bit of a sticking point when it came down to voting her in, Brimmell remembers. 'The chairman of the press gallery executive came to me and he said, 'Helen, we'd like to vote you in, but you have to promise not to try to come to the annual dinner - which was, of course, a stag party,' the 96-year-old told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning.
From 1948, a glimpse inside the parliamentary press gallery offices - and at some of the fancy hats of a bygone era. (Library and Archives Canada)
'And I said, 'That's all right with me. If you want to have a stag party, I'm not going to crash it.' So they voted me in.'
Brimmell remembers the day she got her membership pass and the excitement she felt at being able to have lunch in the Parliamentary restaurant as a full member - and not someone's guest - for the first time. 'The manager came out of her office, very graciously, to shoo me down to the cafeteria. ... and I just put my membership ... card on the table, I didn't say anything, and she read it. She didn't obviously believe it, but she apologized and went back to her office,' she said with a laugh.
It wasn't the first time Brimmell's youthful appearance caused some trouble. 'I don't think I've ever looked my age because at that time I had to carry around my birth certificate to be served alcohol, and that went on for quite a while. And the secretaries [of politicians] always thought that I was just a gopher. They didn't realize what I was up to,' she said."
Helen Brimmell is a long standing member of the IODE Victoria Guelph Chapter in Guelph.
"One of the earliest female members of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery was honoured Wednesday in the House of Commons for her years of work in the bureau. Helen Brimmell graduated from the University of Toronto in 1943 and worked for the Canadian Press under her maiden name of Helen Bannerman in Toronto for a few years before being assigned to Parliament Hill in 1946.
She was the third woman to officially join the gallery, which at that time only allowed men to attend its annual dinner. That fact was a bit of a sticking point when it came down to voting her in, Brimmell remembers. 'The chairman of the press gallery executive came to me and he said, 'Helen, we'd like to vote you in, but you have to promise not to try to come to the annual dinner - which was, of course, a stag party,' the 96-year-old told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning.
From 1948, a glimpse inside the parliamentary press gallery offices - and at some of the fancy hats of a bygone era. (Library and Archives Canada)
'And I said, 'That's all right with me. If you want to have a stag party, I'm not going to crash it.' So they voted me in.'
Brimmell remembers the day she got her membership pass and the excitement she felt at being able to have lunch in the Parliamentary restaurant as a full member - and not someone's guest - for the first time. 'The manager came out of her office, very graciously, to shoo me down to the cafeteria. ... and I just put my membership ... card on the table, I didn't say anything, and she read it. She didn't obviously believe it, but she apologized and went back to her office,' she said with a laugh.
It wasn't the first time Brimmell's youthful appearance caused some trouble. 'I don't think I've ever looked my age because at that time I had to carry around my birth certificate to be served alcohol, and that went on for quite a while. And the secretaries [of politicians] always thought that I was just a gopher. They didn't realize what I was up to,' she said."
Helen Brimmell is a long standing member of the IODE Victoria Guelph Chapter in Guelph.
IODE Angela Bruce Chapter, Oakville
Margie Andrews, President, IODE Angela Bruce Chapter, Oakville, presenting Elaine Clark with her 50 year pin.
Reading the significance of the badge is President Margie Andrews
(Left to right) New Chapter Members: Shirley Selbie, Elaine Norris, and Dana Bryant
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The following is an excerpt from Margie Andrews, President, of the IODE Angela Bruce Chapter in Oakville.
“Many years ago when I joined the IODE Angela Bruce Chapter, I met many lovely ladies but there was one that I found particularly warm and welcoming and extremely knowledgeable in the functions of this chapter. She took me under her wing, introduced me to other members, helped me to be accepted and we became friends. She was my boss when we looked after the “Baby Think it Over” simulators. We spent quite a bit of time back and forth working on different things for the chapter. Doing a lot of talking and laughing both at her house and at mine. We became friends and so did our husbands, the four of us shared many laughs together. I am talking about Elaine Clark, who is in her 50th year as a member of the IODE Angela Bruce Chapter. In 2015 we presented Elaine her with her 50 year pin. Elaine has held many offices throughout those years, Vice-President, President 1975-76, Secretary, Membership Officer, Hospitality, she ran our Marathon bridge and the list just goes on. We have been told that Elaine held every office there is – can you believe that ladies WOW! We are very grateful for the dedication and outstanding work you have done in each of these positions and for the example you have shown to all of us and the continued interest in IODE that you have had. It is a privilege and pleasure to make Elaine Clark an Honorary President of the IODE Angela Bruce Chapter.” |
Each year, weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, IODE Angela Bruce Chapter, Oakville design a window display chapter's Opportunity Shop to pay tribute to our war heroes.
IODE has had a long association caring for our soldiers.
Many residents drop into the shop to say thank you for making the special display each year. In the past an elderly gentleman stopped to look at the display and saluted. This was a moving experience for all.
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Bursary Cheques for $1,000 were awarded to the students from Holy Trinity, St. Ignatius, White Oaks North, T.A. Blakelock, St. Thomas Aquinas, Abby Park, Iroquois Ridge and Oakville Trafalgar High schools in Oakville at a reception held at the IODE Opportunity Shop, 432 Kerr St., Oakville on June 14, 2015.
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IODE Angela Bruce Chapter President Margie Andrews (left) and IODE Provincial President Renate Schuetz cut the cake to commemorate Angela Bruce Chapter's 84th Anniversary.
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IODE Confederation Chapter, RidgetownNovember 2013, representatives from IODE Confederation - Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) in support of this year’s Christmas Wish Tree Appeal. This generous donation will be directed to the Foundation of CKHA’s efforts to raise funds to support the purchase of new fetal monitors for CKHA’s Women and Children’s Health Department at the Chatham Campus.
Sheila Young, Treasurer, IODE Confederation Chapter; Michele Grzebien-Huckson, Executive Director, Foundation of CKHA; and Sue McLarty, President, IODE Confederation Chapter
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Left to right, Steve Benishek, Howard Mutual, Sheila Young, IODE Confederation Chapter, Ken McLarty, Howard Mutual, Liz McDonald, Waltron and IODE Confederation Chapter, Dave Main, Ridgetown Legion, Sue McLarty, IODE Confederation Chapter, and Jim Brown, Municipality of Chatham-Kent
IODE Confederation Chapter, Ridgetown received Community Partnership Funds to replace the fence and complete some renovations at the Cenotaph Park. The group recently had the sign erected to commemorate their partners who assisted them with the park renovations.
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IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter, Petrolia
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We have just over 40 members and meet on the second Monday of the month at the Queen Victoria Apartments meeting room. Guests are always welcomed.
We have four ladies who are non-members that knit clothing for us to send to our adopted school in Black Tickle Labrador and for Provincial Services. This summer we were honoured to have our namesake Mrs. Margaret Stokes featured as a “Shining Beacon for Petrolia” at the Lambton Heritage Museum. This was a great way for us to promote IODE through this display. We have an Adopted School in Black Tickle, Labrador. Knitted Items are given to Women’s Interval Home and Petrolia Retirement Homes. Food Vouchers are given to the Petrolia Food Bank. When Petrolia has Christmas in the Park we serve hot chocolate and cookies. During the annual Terry Fox Run we man the Water Stations.
Our Special Projects Include:
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Our Annual Projects include;
Elementary and secondary school award winners receive over $2000 annually for bursaries, subject excellence and community involvement. Our town park, Moncrieff Park, at the corner of Princess and Nelson Streets, is maintained by our chapter. We sponsor:
We have an Adopted School in Black Tickle, Labrador. Knitted Items are given to Women’s Interval Home and Petrolia Retirement Homes . Food Vouchers are given to the Petrolia Food Bank. When Petrolia has Christmas in the Park we serve hot chocolate and cookies. During the annual Terry Fox Run we man the Water Stations. The IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter started making butter tarts as a fundraiser in 2000 to replace our Penny Sale fundraiser. We take orders and sell them for $9 a dozen. This past year, we sold 845 dozen. Many of our new members were volunteers who have helped us in the past.
Please visit our website www.iodemargaretstokeschapter.com
to view the projects and education endeavours that we fund. |
IODE Yellow Briar Chapter, Orangeville
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Our Bestowal of Charter Ceremony was held on March 27th, 1985 in Orangeville, the same year the tornado hit Grand Valley and continued on to Barrie. Our first fundraiser earned us enough to donate $200 to the local Disaster Relief Fund.
In June 1985, we undertook an education project: presenting Grade Six General Proficiency Awards at all publicly funded elementary schools in the Orangeville area. Subsequently, schools in Grand Valley, Marsville and Laurel were included for these awards. We kicked off “Operation Furry Friend” in 1990 so that children could have a stuffed toy for comfort after they had surgery, which can be a very emotional situation for them. To date, we have given well over 3,000 Furry Friends to children at the Dufferin Area Hospital, now known as the Headwaters Health Care Centre. We regularly contribute to the Westminster United Church “Milk Program”. This program is an emergency temporary assistance for families experiencing difficulties. Milk or formula coupons are given monthly for a maximum of 6 months. Since our first year, we have tried to make Christmas a little brighter for Dufferin County families in need. Since 1994, IODE Yellow Briar has supported the Dufferin Child and Family Services during Christmas. Families in need are chosen from the Infant Child Development Program to receive gifts, along with food vouchers and little something for the parents. ICDP worker Nina Little said, “It is remarkable after all these years that this group of ladies continues to assist our families!” We initiated the “12 Days of Christmas” silent auction fundraiser for the Orangeville Public Libraries. Please visit www.orangevilleiode for more information on our Chapter. |
IODE Yellow Briar Chapter, Orangeville
In September 2000 we launched the Baby Think it Over program at Orangeville District Secondary and Westside Secondary Schools. The Baby Think it Over program is responsible parenting program that uses a life-like doll whose crying is electronically programmed to mimic the needs of a newborn infant. We recently purchased an Empathy Belly for the Family Studies class at the Westside Secondary School.
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