Last Wednesday (August 25) politicians, friends and family came out to Toronto's west end to celebrate the official unveiling of the 'Jean Augustine Park'. In paying tribute to Dr Augustine, deputy mayor, Joe Pantalone, and councillor, Mark Grimes, reminded the audience that during her tenure in the House of Commons, Dr Augustine was instrumental in getting funding from the Federal Government and making a reality the Toronto Linear Park System, in particular the Mimico Linear Trail, which is adjacent to the new Jean Augustine Park. This year Augustine became the first Grenada-born person to receive Canada's highest national honour. She was among the 57 Canadians named by Governor General Michaelle Jean to receive the Order of Canada - the country's highest civilian award.
"Mother's Day is celebrated in so many ways throughout the world, the most popular to be sure is the brunch where the entire family can come together and celebrate mom together. It is interesting to note, however , that Mother's Day was first celebrated as a holiday - a holiday to commemorate women's public activism, women taking a stance to protect their families. And today in expressing our love and honouring mothers, is the least we can do", she said.
Harriet Tubman, William Hall and Mifflin Wistar Gibbs were among those whose courage and conviction advanced our nascent society's ideals of freedom and equality. Thousands braved a perilous path to freedom through the Underground Railroad, conducted by valiant leaders like Harriet Tubman.