June 27, 2005

Stamp honours 'trailblazer' Fairclough

A stamp commemorating the life and achievements of The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough was unveiled Monday by, from left, Joan Heels, Fairclough's niece, Mary Traversy, vice-president, Operations Transformation, Canada Post, and Roger Trull, vice-president of University Advancement.

Hamilton, ON - The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough, a much-loved Hamilton politician who became the first woman to be named to a federal cabinet position, was honoured today with the unveiling of a postage stamp commemorating her achievements.

"Ellen Fairclough was a trailblazer in the area of human rights," said Roger Trull, vice-president of University Advancement. "She pioneered the principle of equal pay for equal work, and worked hard to ensure this right was extended to all Canadians." Being honoured with a postage stamp, said Trull, was an apt tribute to Fairclough, who was Canada's first and only female postmaster general.

About 200 invited guests, including Dr. Joan Heels, Ms. Fairclough's niece, attended the stamp's unveiling at McMaster University.

Stamp of Ellen Fairclough

Following Fairclough's death in Hamilton last November, the University established the Ellen Louks Fairclough Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will assist a graduate student studying political science.

The stamp, designed by Toronto artist Katalin Kovats, is posted on Canada Post's web site for media use: www.canadapost.ca/ business/corporate/ about/ newsroom/pr/default-e.asp?prid=1081.

McMaster University, named Canada's Research University of the Year by Research InfoSource, has world-renowned faculty, and state-of-the-art research facilities. McMaster's culture of innovation fosters a commitment to discovery and learning in teaching, research and scholarship. Based in Hamilton, the University has a student population of more than 23,000, and an alumni population of more than 115,000 in 128 countries.