The Right Honourable Ellen Fairclough joined the Zonta Club of Hamilton 1 in March of 1937. She was Canada’s first female cabinet minister and introduced “equal pay for equal work”. She was made an International Honourary member of Zonta in 1990. She died this year, just short of her 100th birthday. In 1962 Ellen Fairclough became the first and only woman Postmaster General for Canada. This year, 2005, as a fitting tribute to commemorate this “political pioneer” Canada Post issued a 50 cent stamp with her likeness. Ellen’s niece, Dr. Joan Heels, a Hamilton 1 Zontian arranged for all current members of our club to be invited to the launch.

The Zonta Club of Hamilton 1 was recently honoured at the 2010 Hummingbird Ball in support of the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre. We are just completing a $100,000 commitment made in 2008 in support of this new centre. Sixteen members of our club attended the Ball where we received great exposure and appreciation. President Anita accepted the award with a gracious speech on our behalf.