Ellie Hadley: The art of speaking out
Lessons from a life of a 89-year-old concerned citizen
By Douglas Arrowsmith, CBC News
Eleanor Hadley — "Ellie," as she is known in her neighbourhood — has been an activist in Vancouver since she arrived from Windsor, Ont., at the end of the 1960s.
Eleanor Hadley: Still going head-to-head with politicians as she approaches 90. (Douglas Arrowsmith/CBC) Her story is one of remarkable perseverance, beginning with the death of her husband when she had just reached middle age, followed by the loss of her daughter in the years after that. Part of her healing came through her advocacy work on behalf of her community, and she's made it her practice to attend public meetings and voice her opinion.
Hadley, 89, feels the art of speaking out has been her greatest achievement and hopes it sets an example for younger generations.One of her fiercest passions became defending Stanley Park from commercialization — a battle she admits she may not have won. She thinks Lord Stanley's decree, that the park be left in its natural state, has been ignored.
Part of Ellie's daily routine is a walk to the same park bench overlooking English Bay – a ritual she admits she only attempts now when the weather is nice. But the challenges of turning 90 haven't kept her from wearing flowers in her hair or going head-to-head with politicians and standing up for what she sees are the "simple issues."
CBC's video producer Douglas Arrowsmith ran into Ellie on her favourite bench where she shared some of her life's lessons.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2011/01/18/f-video-ellie-hadley.html#ixzz1BrvklrdM
Lessons from a life of a 89-year-old concerned citizen
By Douglas Arrowsmith, CBC News
Eleanor Hadley — "Ellie," as she is known in her neighbourhood — has been an activist in Vancouver since she arrived from Windsor, Ont., at the end of the 1960s.
Eleanor Hadley: Still going head-to-head with politicians as she approaches 90. (Douglas Arrowsmith/CBC) Her story is one of remarkable perseverance, beginning with the death of her husband when she had just reached middle age, followed by the loss of her daughter in the years after that. Part of her healing came through her advocacy work on behalf of her community, and she's made it her practice to attend public meetings and voice her opinion.
Hadley, 89, feels the art of speaking out has been her greatest achievement and hopes it sets an example for younger generations.One of her fiercest passions became defending Stanley Park from commercialization — a battle she admits she may not have won. She thinks Lord Stanley's decree, that the park be left in its natural state, has been ignored.
Part of Ellie's daily routine is a walk to the same park bench overlooking English Bay – a ritual she admits she only attempts now when the weather is nice. But the challenges of turning 90 haven't kept her from wearing flowers in her hair or going head-to-head with politicians and standing up for what she sees are the "simple issues."
CBC's video producer Douglas Arrowsmith ran into Ellie on her favourite bench where she shared some of her life's lessons.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2011/01/18/f-video-ellie-hadley.html#ixzz1BrvklrdM
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