Career
Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, she became general vice-president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in 1969. In 1974, she became Executive Vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress and was president from 1986 to 1992. As president of the Civic Leadership Certification, she began Canadian labour"s campaign against the free trade deal between then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the late United States President Ronald Reagan.
She was a pioneer in using the technique of seeking support for labour"s goals from other organizations in the community, and this strategy was ultimately responsible for turning the tide of public opinion against the trade deal.
