Page 8 - Special Feature.indd

PROFILES

Dale Ross

broke new

ground

Dale Ross has never considered
herself a groundbreaker.
However, it’s a term that seems to fit the
long-time Cambridge lawyer considering
not only her legal career but the fact she
made history by becoming the first female
board president of the Cambridge Chamber
of Commerce.
“There was a lot in the media and a lot of
literature about women’s rights at the time,”
says Dale, who was among only a handful
of female lawyers in Waterloo Region when
she was elected to serve as Chamber board
president for a year in 1980.
“It was an interesting time being a
professional woman because there seemed
to be more awareness. It was interesting
to be involved and the fact you had to Long-time Cambridge lawyer Dale Ross was the first woman to serve as the Chamber’s board
stand your ground and let people know president in 1980.
you weren’t going to be talked down to, or She jokes the only time her gender posed which operated from 1948 until being
trivialized.” an issue was when a female client of the destroyed by fire in 1980.
While she embraced this awareness, Dale firm refused to have Dale represent her “The Chamber’s annual meetings were
admits being a woman didn’t hamper because she was a woman. very well attended. It was one of the
her legal career when she was hired by “Others in the firm didn’t want to act for more established organizations in town,”
the Cambridge firm Simmers, Edwards, this client,” she laughs, adding it didn’t she says, adding being a member was
Jenkins (now part of Gowlings) in 1975 upon bother her. “I was very comfortable in my almost a given for business owners.
completing her bar admissions course in own skin I guess.” “It was a rather prestigious group of
Toronto. Not only was she the firm’s first people because they were leaders in the
female lawyer, but it’s youngest, joining her It may have been her positive attitude community.”
husband, John McDonald, who had le t a that led to her being asked to join the
well-known downtown Toronto firm to find Chamber board during a discussion with Dale fondly recalls the Chamber hosting
work in his hometown of Galt practising Bob Pettitt of PSH Lawyers (formerly several well-known guests at its annual
corporate law. known as Pettitt Schwarz). general meetings, including the late
Canadian comedian Dave Broadfoot and
During his initial interview with Simmers, “I assume a lot of it had to do with the former Ontario Premier Bill Davis, who
Edwards, Jenkins, he mentioned his wife was fact I was new in town, a woman and a passed away in 2021.
also about to begin her law career and both professional,” laughs Dale. “Bob asked if
wound up with positions at the firm. I would be interested in running for the “There were a few board members who
board. Obviously, I said yes, thinking no were very involved in the Conservative
“I never really had any problems,” says one even knows who I am so my chances Party and had some connection to Bill
Dale, referring to working in a career that of getting elected were one in a million. Davis,” she says. “We always got some
at the time was predominately male driven. But lo and behold I was elected.” really great speakers.”
“People at the firm were very respectful, but
I think part of it was the way I am as well. I At the time, she was already very familiar She went on to serve on the Chamber
was very self-assured or confident.” with the Chamber since her firm was a executive before being elected second
member and she had already attended and then first vice-president, finally
several events, including gatherings at becoming president in 1980.
Leisure Lodge nightclub in Riverside Park
8 Spring 2024 www.cambridgechamber.com