150+ Canadians Day 66: Michelle Landsberg

150+ Canadians Who Contributed to Peace..., Education, News 0 Comments

Michelle Landsberg contributes to peace as one of the first journalists to address sexual harassment in the workplace. #Canada150

Michelle Landsberg, born 12 July 1939, is a trailblazing Canadian journalist, author, public speaker, Feminist and social activist. Her work has brought many important issues to light and influenced countless opinion leaders across the country.

For over 25 years she wrote for the Toronto Star. She was one of the first journalists in Canada to address issues of sexual harassment in the workplace, equal pay, racial discrimination in education and employment opportunities, and lack of gender equality in divorce and custodial proceedings. She has been a vocal advocate in discrediting the False Memory Syndrome Foundation. Prior to writing her feminist column at the Star she wrote for The Globe and Mail; and served as a staff writer and editor for Chatelaine magazine.

Her latest book is Writing the Revolution, a history of the Canadian women’s movement. In 2006, the Canadian Women’s Foundation created the Michele Landsberg Award to celebrate young women speaking out about gender equality in the media. In 2013 and 2014, the Canadian Women’s Foundation launched  two new awards in Michele’s name.

Landsberg is the recipient of the Officer of the Order of Canada, two National Newspaper Awards, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, the Dodi Robb Award from MediaWatch, the Robertine Barry Prize for journalism from the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women, the Florence Bird Award from the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, several honorary degrees, and the Canadian Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the 1929 Persons Case and Democratic Development, an award acknowledging contributions to equality for women which have resulted in positive change.

She is married to Stephen Lewis, former leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, diplomat and humanitarian. He is co-founder of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. His work with the United Nations has spanned over two decades.

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