Stamp honours ‘trailblazer’ Fairclough
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/fairclough.jpg” caption=”A stamp commemorating the life and achievements of The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough was unveiled Monday by, from left, Joan Heels, Fairclough’s niece, Mary Traversy, vice-president, Operations Transformation, Canada Post, and Roger Trull, vice-president of University Advancement.”]The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough, a much-loved Hamilton politician who became the first woman to be named to a federal cabinet position, was honoured Monday with the unveiling of a postage stamp commemorating her achievements.
“Ellen Fairclough was a trailblazer in the area of human rights,” said Roger Trull, vice-president of University Advancement. “She pioneered the principle of equal pay for equal work, and worked hard to ensure this right was extended to all Canadians.” Being honoured with a postage stamp, said Trull, was an apt tribute to Fairclough, who was Canada's first and only female postmaster general.
About 200 invited guests, including Joan Heels, Fairclough's niece, attended the stamp's unveiling at McMaster University.
Following Fairclough's death in Hamilton last November, the University established the Ellen Louks Fairclough Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will assist a graduate student studying political science.
The stamp, designed by Toronto artist Katalin Kovats, is posted on Canada Post's website.
