Person

Carr, Shirley G. E.

1929-2010

Shirley G. E. Carr first became active in the labour movement in 1960, when she joined the Canadian Union of Public Employees and served in various capacities at the local, provincial, regional, and national levels. In 1974 she was elected Executive Vice President of the CLC, a position she held until 1984 when she was appointed Secretary Treasurer. She was elected President of the Canadian Labour Congress in 1986 and in so doing became the first woman in the world ever to be elected as leader of a national labour body. Alongside her work at the CLC, Shirley was an active participant in the international labour movement. From 1980 to 1985 she was a member of the governing body of the International Labour Organization, and acted as Chairperson for the Workers’ Group for the Committee on Discrimination and the Committee on Apartheid. She also served as Vice President of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Chairperson of Commonwealth Trade Union Council, and Vice President of the ILO United Nations Agency. Shirley received numerous awards for her work. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1980, and an Officer of the Order of Ontario in 1995. She received the Centennial Medal for Exemplary Contribution to Vocational/Technical Education (1980), the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Federation (1992), and the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case (1994). Shirley graduated from Stamford Collegiate Vocational Institute in Niagara Falls, Ontario. She went on to receive seven Honourary Doctorates for her work, from McMaster University, University of Western Ontario, University of Victoria, Brock University, Acadia University, York University, and the University of Northern British Columbia. She was also named a Fellow of Ryerson University in recognition of her outstanding work in the Canadian and international labour movements.