Inspiring a New Generation of Activists
It’s been three years since Sister Megan Whitfield, a long-time postal worker and activist, died, but her work and her memory continue to live on today. Sister Whitfield was a mentor and friend to many, and she dedicated her life to improving the lives of working people.
In her honour, and to help carry out her legacy, CUPW launched the Megan Whitfield Bursary in 2021. Since then, we’ve awarded three bursaries to CUPW members in good standing, or their dependents, from an equity seeking group who are studying either Human Rights or Labour Studies at a publicly funded, publicly run post-secondary institution in Canada. This year, two bursaries worth $2,500 each, will be provided.
The labour movement across the country is stronger because Megan argued for a powerful, inclusive, and anti-racist trade union movement. Sister Whitfield was an inspiration to so many and her work against racism, sexism and intolerance must go on.
The bursary in her honour helps to ease the financial burden of aspiring activists and future labour leaders.
Today, we are witnessing workers in this country and around the world, step into their power and demand fair and equitable treatment from their employers. There is growing energy and work around worker power and union organizing. This is the type of energy Megan Whitfield brought to the labour movement and the type of energy we will all continue to bring to the struggle in her honour.
For more information about the bursary and how to apply, please see https://cupw.ca/en/MW-Bursary.
In solidarity,
Jan Simpson
National President