On Marguerite Ford’s bookshelf sits books by Naomi Klein and Joseph Boyden. In another bookcase are her treasured Moroccan leather-bound encyclopaedia published in 1928. Marguerite is like her book collection, eclectic and intelligent. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of city building and life experience. And she believes firmly in giving back to her community. Ms. Ford is a long-time supporter of United Way. Born in 1926 near Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Ms. Ford attributes some of her community-mindedness to growing up on the prairies. “The population isn’t so dense there. In Saskatchewan, in the early days, people depended upon each other tremendously,” says Marguerite. Marguerite is modest about her long list of accomplishments. In 1997 she received the Order of British Columbia. Acknowledged in that citation are 10 years on Vancouver City Council, serving on the Metropolitan Board of Health, the Vancouver Hospice Project, Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services, and having chaired the Committee on Disabled for nine years. She served as Board Chair of United Way British Columbia, and has chaired the community affairs committee of the Vancouver Board of Trade and was Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society. Her volunteer work in the health care and housing field include the Vancouver General Hospital where she was the President of the Women’s Auxiliary, St. John Ambulance, the Katherine Sandford Housing Society and the Italian Community Centre Senior Citizen’s Housing Society. What motivates her to volunteer? “It’s interesting. It’s something I can do. I’m not big on housework.” Her husband and children were all very supportive of her activities. “As a volunteer you learn all kinds of things that you may not otherwise be exposed to. And you can have an influence.” She chuckles and adds, “As a volunteer you can interfere with all kinds of things that in your job you wouldn’t be allowed to.” Marguerite sees volunteering as a way to be connected to the community. She is a Jane Jacobs acolyte and believes that the design of a city determines the kind of people living there. When people help each other, when neighbours know each other, communities are safer. When asked what her advice would be to a 25-year-old she answered, “Find some kind of a service that interest you that you can commit to get to know it and support it and see what can come of it. You’re doing something useful, learning and making terrific contacts.” She believes that to be connected to your community, you need to be out there doing things. Marguerite is a great example of contributions women have made as Canada acknowledges Women in History month. Marguerite supports United Way in part because of the planning we do. Our prevention focus means that we anticipate and react to needs in the community before they are a problem. United Way helps build strong communities, communities where people feel connected and supported. None of the work United Way does would be possible without the support of people like Marguerite Ford. Thank you!
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