A tribute to Verna Ledger

My mother-in-law Verna Ledger, died on September 1, 2015 from a massive heart attack, she was 88 years, she was a very strong, demanding but loving woman. She will be missed by her daughter, (my wife) her son Tom, and all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as her Sister Lou, her brother-in-law Gord, and all of her Nieces, Nephews, great Nieces and great Nephews. 

She will also be missed by her friends in the Dogwood Choir and her friends in the BC Labour movement and all those she helped and trained over her long career as a member of her union, and her work at the Workers Compensation Board of BC.

What the younger generation may not have known about their grandmother is that she was a pioneer in the labour movement in BC. As well, Verna was a pioneer in the area of Health and Safety in BC and in Canada. So to honour her, and her work and legacy, here are two professional videos where she talks about her life, her work and her story.

The first video is a speech she gave at the BC Nurses Union Occupational Health and Safety conference: Building For a Safe and Healthy Future in 2004

http://www.workingtv.com/bcnu-oh&sconference.html

The second video is the first in a series of three videos that focuses on the history of health and safety in British Columbia’s forest industry:  

http://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/2013/03/09/new-video-verna-ledger-iwa-health-and-safety-officer/

Happy International Women's Day

The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights" Gloria Steinem

International Women's day should be a day to celebrate for women around the world. Every woman is a leader in her own right and women need to be proud of the steps they are taking to make the world a better place. Here are some links to sites that are celebrating this day
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2013/03/05/happy-international-womens-day-theres-long-way-go
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/lee-tunstall/international-womens-day_b_2806152.html
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/international-women-s-day--britain-s-battle-to-recruit-more-female-scientists-161248186.html


Today is a day to honour the work of generations who have made change to make our world what it is today. And today women can celebrate the work they are all doing to make things better for the women of tomorrow.

There is still a lot to take on- gender violence, equal rights, cultural "norms" that place girls and women behind men. Voting rights, control of money, property ownership, health care, and access to birth control options are all works in progress. These are just a few of the issues, but there’s a lot of work in progress.


To the women in my life, I hope that you will never underestimate yourself. Take an oath to understand your own power. Innocence is cute, but ignorance is a crime. Understand that you are special. You have special powers. You know that. Don't allow hatred touch you. Celebrate yourself. Be proud of who you are and what you have and will accomplish. I salute you, and your spirit.