December 13, "unknown" - Gerrie Hammond - a podcast by Stephen Hammond

Manitoba politician and feminist Gerrie Hammond is born. Born Geraldine Rose McLean, Gerrie Hammond began her public service career as a member of the Manitoba Police Commission. She later served as a school trustee in Winnipeg before being elected to the Manitoba legislature as the MLA for Kirkfield Park in 1981. Hammond served three terms in the legislature – seven years in Opposition and two in the government of the Progressive Conservative Party. Always a champion of women’s rights, Hammond put her passion to work in 1988 as chair of the Manitoba Women’s Initiative, a task force that traveled Manitoba to make recommendations to enhance the lives of women and children. Her highly praised report propelled her into cabinet, where she served as the minister of labour and the status of women. In 1990, Hammond was awarded the province’s Women of Distinction Award for outstanding service to women. She died on November 1, 1992 of cancer, but her legacy lives on. The Gerrie Hammond Bursary is awarded each year to a single mother who attends the University of Manitoba. As well, each year the Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise is given to a promising young woman during the Women of Distinction Awards. In one of Canada’s poorest neighbourhoods, the Winnipeg North End Women’s Shelter library is dedicated to Gerrie Hammond in honour of her many contributions to improving the lives of women. Even with her feminist beliefs, Hammond said her mother taught her, “You never ask a woman her age.” Hammond’s age in life and death remains a mystery.

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