Women’s rights pioneer turns 100
Friday May 9 2008
By Richard Vivian
A pioneer of women’s rights celebrated her 100th birthday last week. Dorothy Grosart was pleased by the turnout of family and friends at an event held at Lord Dufferin Centre in her honour.
“I was afraid, but now I’m happy,” she said of the festivities. “Lots of family from England and Vancouver are here.”
Grosart was born in England and moved to Canada at the age of 18. She earned honours degrees in French and Spanish, as well as her M.A.
In 1954, when she married, women weren’t able to teach after they were wed. But that changed following her successful court challenge. She went on to teach hundreds of students before she retired from the front of the classroom in 1971.
Not one to slow down, Grosart and her husband, Tom, bred Hungarian Kuvasz dogs — introducing them to Canada.
“It has been a real joy and a privilege to have an aunt such as Dorothy,” shared Geoffrey Dixon, her nephew. “It’s difficult to put into words what she does actually mean to me. I love her dearly and she’s one of the most significant people in my life.”
Grosart moved to Lord Dufferin Centre about two years ago. Last year, she broke her hip. Long-time friend Karin Klooman told the crowd nurses suggested at the time that Grosart wouldn’t walk again because of her advanced age.
“I said ‘You don’t know my Dorothy.’ Of course, she did walk and she came right back,” Klooman said.
“You will forever remain a true inspiration.”
In recognition of her centennial birthday, Grosart was presented with a certificate and gift from the Town of Orangeville, delivered by Coun. Sylvia Bradley, as well as scrolls from MPP Sylvia Jones and Ontario Lt.-Gov. David C. Onley.
Friends, family and other well-wishers also spent nearly 30 minutes lining up to have their picture taken with Grosart.
“It makes me feel frozen into a smile,” she said of all the attention.
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